The other 49

Mary Jane and the Saw
The states of California and Colorado have joined Alaska, Maine, and Oregon in making the possession of small amounts of marijuana punishable by a fine rather than a jail term.

Communists may be workers
Under a recent ruling of the Arkansas Supreme Court, Communists may no longer be barred from working for the state. In issuing its ruling the court declared unconstitutional a 1941 law which had set the state policy.

For the sake of simplicity
The state of Missouri recently moved to make it easier for an individual to make a gift of all or part of one's body. Under an amendment to the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act this can now be accomplished by means of a statement to that effect on one's driver's license.

Politics as usual
A special three-judge federal district court in New York recently nullified a number of major provisions in that state's recently enacted Fair Campaign Code. The court struck down the code's ban against candidates attacking any political candidate's race, sex, religion or ethnic background.

Copping a plea to end
The governor of Alaska recently announced that the practice of plea bargaining in criminal prosecutions would end. Under new policy, even though district attorneys may recommend specific sentences, actual sentences will be left up to the courts.

State continues winning streak
The state of Nevada's revenues from a tax on gambling increased by 11 per cent over the previous fiscal year according to the State Gaming Control Board. The actual amount of money taken in was $82.5 million.

Dial your lawmaker
Nebraska and North Dakota are now among those states operating toll-free telephone lines for their citizens seeking legislative information. The program has been termed a "success" with thousands of calls being made.

Good Friday no longer good
California Court of Appeals ruled earlier this year that giving state employees three hours off with pay on Good Friday was unconstitutional. The court argued that such a practice violated the First Amendment ban against an "establishment of religion."

Saving the waste for savings
Colorado Gov. Richard Lamm has ordered his state employees to save waste paper so that it might be returned to the company which supplies it. The return of the used computer printout paper will earn the state $38 a ton.

Miss? Ms? Mrs?
The Attorney General of the State of New Jersey ruled in August of this year that a married woman may retain her maiden name when she marries.

Asps no longer holy
The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled in September that snake handling and the imbibing of deadly poisons does not fall under the constitutional blanket of protection afforded by the First Amendment's freedom of religion clause, and is therefore illegal.

Putting out fire ants
The State of Georgia will attempt to go it alone in its campaign to rid itself of fire ants which inflict quite painful bites and cause damage to farm equipment because of their mounds. Federal assistance was terminated due to a clash over Environmental Protection Agency policy on the banning of a specific pesticide. /C.P.R..

December 1975 / Illinois Issues / 375