The U.S. Census Bureau says that 1,135 of the nation’s 3,143 counties now have more deaths than births, and are losing population. See this story, which has a map that shows the counties that are declining. This has implications for redistricting, the National Popular Vote Plan, and even the dormant issue of the makeup of the U.S. Senate.
The Peace & Freedom Party has hired a professional who will work to increase the party’s registration in California, and who will also train party volunteers on voter registration work. In addition, Cindy Sheehan, who has been a registered member of the party since 2010, has agreed to run for Governor in 2014, and the party has already endorsed her. See news of all these developments here at the party’s web page.
Texas Representative Rafael Anchia (D-North Oak Cliff) has introduced HB 2506. It establishes a top-two primary. This is the second bill introduced this year in Texas for a top-two system; the other is HB 1842.
On March 14, U.S. Supreme Court Justices Anthony Kennedy and Stephen Breyer were testifying before the House Appropriations Committees on the U.S. Supreme Court budget. A committee member, Congressman Jose Serrano, was born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, but he came to New York city at the age of seven. He represents a district in the Bronx. For some reason the justices joked with Serrano about whether he would be eligible to be President, given that he was born in Puerto Rico. See this story. The justices also joked about whether Serrano is old enough. Actually he is age 69. Thanks to HowAppealing for the link.
Matt Munson has this article about the two California bills that would increase the number of one-candidate elections for Congress and state office, SB 712 and AB 141. The article appears in The Orange Juice Blog, a well-read politics blog in Orange County, California’s second most populous county.
