Legislative Updates : 2025-08-06

Submitted by: Rachel Warner
You might have seen headlines or social media posts covering two big issues at the state Capitol last week: keeping kids focused in the classroom and keeping violent criminals behind bars. Solid plans to do both of those things went down in flames, and people were shocked. Here’s what happened behind the scenes. House Republicans brought forward two commonsense bills that should have passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. The first would have banned kids from using cell phones in classrooms, something parents and teachers across the country are demanding to help kids focus and learn. The second would have extended the deadline for prosecutors to resentence violent murderers who are otherwise scheduled for early release because of a recent court ruling. Both bills addressed real concerns, had strong public support, and should have become law. But Democrats in the state House voted lockstep against both bills, killing them outright.