#ncsl

[chrisevansforum]

Screenshots of Chris Evans, Joe Kiani & Mark Kassen for A Starting Point at the NCSL Base Camp, September 15 2020.

All images from https://twitter.com/NCSLorg

[deafeningdonutreview]

Critical Retail

Critical retail is a network comprised of occupations that aim to meet the everyday needs of people across the country. The places of operation can range from grocery stores, convenience stores, pet stores, pharmacies, medical supply stores, and more.  According to the NCSL, four occupations comprise the bulk of the industry, constituting roughly 79% of all retail worker employment: retail salespersons (about 25%), drivers and sales workers (24%), cashiers (20%), and stock clerks and order fillers (11%). These workers are essential because without them we would not have access to modern medicine, clothing, and food. Personally, a lot of my shopping was done on Amazon.com early in the pandemic. So if drivers and warehouse workers were deemed non-essential, I would have no way of receiving necessary items when I did not feel comfortable going out to the store to buy them. 

Picture credit: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1448009

Other sources: https://www.ncsl.org/research/labor-and-employment/covid-19-essential-workers-in-the-states.aspx#:~:text=%2D%20Energy.%20%2D%20Child,and%20social%20service%20organizations.

[deafeningdonutreview]

Agriculture and Food Production

As discussed in the last post, agriculture and food productions are one of the most essential jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The NCSL states that “the agriculture and food service sectors encompass a wide range of activities, including animal and crop production, manufacturing of food products, support services such as testing and inspections, and restaurants and retail sales.” Many of us during the stay-at-home order early in the pandemic relied on fast-food, takeout, and/or food delivery since all restaurants closed their indoor dining. Those who were not able to leave their homes even used apps that allowed their weekly grocery shopping trip to be delivered right to their door. Farming employment and food/ beverage manufacturing have been critical as food and agricultural demands are on the rise. The NCSL even says that around 1.5 million additional jobs in food and beverage service will be expected by 2028.

Picture credit: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1444329

https://pixabay.com/illustrations/food-delivery-labour-day-food-5217579/

Other sources: https://www.ncsl.org/research/labor-and-employment/covid-19-essential-workers-in-the-states.aspx#:~:text=%2D%20Energy.%20%2D%20Child,and%20social%20service%20organizations.

[tucson-progressive]

Find out how much your local government or school district is losing with tax breaks at GoodJobsFirst dot org. #taxbreaks #goodjobsfirst #ncsl #peoplebeforeprofits #taxgiveaways https://www.instagram.com/p/B56yganBLns/?igshid=yq1d71177zrw

[drockhughes]

Very cool seeing the guys from the @road_to_now podcast at @ncslorg .Dr. Ben Sawyer is a professor at @mtsu and a comedian. Ben Crawford plays bass in a little band called the @theavettbrothers . Those good along with storyteller Donna Washington put on a great presentation to a packed room. #ncsl #nashville #Tennessee #ncsl2019 #comptrolling (at Nashville Music City Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/B038N7Vl5F9/?igshid=1dvc0ao1u8giy

[drockhughes]

I had the opportunity to attend the NCSL conference today and hear Dolly Parton speak about the Imagination Library, answer some questions from Governor Lee and sing a couple songs. What an amazing person! #dolly #dollyparton #billlee #ncsl #coatofmanycolors #comptolling (at Nashville Music City Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0zMMUaFub5/?igshid=14il7xlt8lw3a

[infrausa]

Water for Energy: Addressing the Nexus between Electricity Generation and Water Resources

Water & electricity generation are inextricably linked. Report from @NCSLorg helps lawmakers address energy-water issues

NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF STATE LEGISLATURES (NCSL)

Executive Summary

Water and electricity generation are inextricably linked—much of the nation’s power generation is dependent on water to operate while water systems require a stable supply of electricity for treatment and delivery. Since electricity generation accounts for approximately 45 percent of water withdrawals in the U.S., identifying ways…

View On WordPress

[gov-info]

NCSL Gov Doc: States with Election Day Voter Registration (in purple)

As of March 2018, 15 states plus the District of Columbia allow unregistered, eligible voters to register and cast a ballot on Election Day:

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Washington, DC

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Iowa

Maine

Minnesota

Montana

New Hampshire

Utah

Vermont

Wisconsin

Wyoming

The National Council of State Legislators (NCSL) site lists States that offer Election Day registration (EDR), where to go (polling place or EDR-designated location), ID requirements (may be different for registering and voting), statute citations and links to state-specific information.

FYI-Identification:

Proof of residency is a key requirement in all states that offer Election Day registration. Because election officials do not have time to to verify voter’s residence before processing the registration, prospective voter must present proof of residency at the time of registration or soon after registering.

A current driver's license or ID card will suffice in all states. In some states, documents such as a paycheck or utility bill with an address is acceptable for proving residence. A few states also permit an already-registered voter to vouch for the residency of an Election Day registrant.

Verify identity/Voter ID: All of the EDR states also require that voters who register and vote on Election Day present documentation to verify their identity. Some states require a photo ID; others accept IDs without a photo.

While all states require prospective voters to show ID proving identity and residency, some states will allow a provisional ballot to be cast if the prospective voter cannot provide identification at the time of registration, but ID must be provided before it is counted in the election.

Most states verify EDR post-election, often by sending an address verification letter or cross-checking voter databases.  If the letter returned as non-deliverable or is not returned signed by the voter after two attempts, or a request for follow-up is unanswered the case may be forwarded to proper authorities for investigation of voter fraud.