Recall effort begins
United Wisconsin files a petition to recall Walker and begins their campaign of collecting the 540,208 signatures necessary to trigger the election recall. Walker:
We’re going to be judged, whether it’s in 2012 or 2014, on what we’re doing on jobs and reform. I don’t think it changes what I focus on day to day.
Endorses Romney for President
In an article for the Daily Beast written in the form of a letter to Ted Forstmann, Ferguson endorses Mitt Romney for President:
In Europe these days, the answer to fiscal crisis is to put a technocrat in charge. But I think you’d agree with me, dear Ted, that what the U.S. government really needs is a private-equity guy in the White House.
More than 1 million recall signatures filed
Democrats file more than one million signatures for the recall effort against Walker. Vice-chairman of United Wisconsin:
It is beyond legal challenge. The collection of more than one million signatures represents a crystal-clear indication of how strong the appetite is to stop the damage and turmoil that Scott Walker has brought to Wisconsin.
Repeals Equal Pay Enforcement Act
Walker signs a bill repealing the 2009 Equal Pay Enforcement Act which allowed workers to sue employers for wage discrimination in the cheaper and more accessible state courts rather than in federal court. Senator Grothman argues the act was hurting businesses who had to defend themselves from false accusations of discrimination:
It’s an underreported problem, but a huge number of discrimination claims are baseless. Most of them are filed by fired employees, and really today almost anybody is a protected class. As a result many companies are forced to pay fired employees to go away [and it has] raised the cost of doing business in the state to intolerable levels.
Senator Sinicki, who co-authored the act, opposes its repeal:
This whole session has been anti-woman and anti-middle class, and this fits right in with that agenda.
Wins recall election
Walker wins the recall election against Tom Barrett by about 7%.
Tonight we tell Wisconsin, we tell our country, and we tell people all across the globe that voters really do want leaders that stand up and make the tough decisions.
Obama support video
Ferrell releases a video urging people to head to the polls in support of Barack Obama. The film appears on the official Obama for America YouTube channel.
Wins Texas senate seat
Cruz wins the Texas senate seat by defeating Democratic challenger Paul Sadler. Cruz receives 58.25% of the vote to become the first Latino senator from Texas.
Representing Texas in the Senate will constitute a remarkable triumph not just for me, but for my family.
Mayoral endorsement video
Ferrell releases a video endorsing Garcetti in the Los Angeles mayoral election, joining other celebrity supporters like Salma Hayek and Moby:
You probably are thinking who cares what some strikingly handsome actor thinks? But I’m not just an actor. I’m also a native Los Angeleno, a father of three, and a business owner. And I want a city that is vibrant and healthy for my three sons and my four illegitimate children to grow up in. That’s why I’m voting for Eric Garcetti.
Re-elected president
Election results guarantee a second five-year term for Zuma, with the ANC gaining a 62.2% share of the vote according to the national election commission. Leading opposition, Democratic Alliance, has 22.2% of the vote, it’s best result ever; the party said it gained 1.1 million new voters, including 700,000 votes from black South Africans.
Minnesota legalizes
Governor Dayton signs legislation that makes Minnesota the 22nd state to legalize medicinal marijuana. Minnesotans who are sick or in serious pain may use marijuana, although they may not smoke it. More specifically, they will still not be allowed to access cannabis in leaf form. The drug will be available by mid-2015 in pill and vapor form, as well as in oil form (which has proven especially successful in treating children with seizures). However, pot advocates say that the best and most beneficial way to consume the drug is in its natural form. Patients worry that by signing up for the medical marijuana program, they could be putting themselves at risk of falling into the grasp of police.
YouGov poll: No 52%-48%
A survey by YouGov for The Times and The Sun finds that the Scottish public favor remaining in the UK by 52% compared with 48% who want independence. The numbers exclude undecided voters. YouGov says the reversal in the margin from its previous week’s Times poll – which showed Yes ahead for the first time, at 51%-49% – is due to Brown joining the debate:
Shortly before he stepped down as Prime Minister, Tony Blair warned David Cameron to beware ‘Gordon Brown’s great clunking fist.’ Cameron survived it, but Alex Salmond’s bid for Scottish independence may not. Since Brown entered the debate, the Yes bandwagon, which has been rolling so dramatically, has stalled. His warnings that independence would be bad for jobs and family finances have struck home.
YouGov’s three previous polls each showed Yes climbing in support, although Yes remains at a higher level than at any point up to late August.
Concedes defeat
Salmond concedes the referendum as the ‘democratic verdict of the people of Scotland’ in a speech at 6.15 a.m. UK time, seven minutes after the count becomes a mathematical certainty for the No vote:
Today of all days as we bring Scotland together, let us not dwell on the distance we have fallen short, let us dwell on the distance we have travelled and have confidence the movement is abroad in Scotland that will take this nation forward and we shall go forward as one nation.
He calls on pro-UK parties to deliver on their promises to devolve more powers to Scotland:
Scotland will expect these to be honoured in rapid course – as a reminder, we have been promised a second reading of a Scotland Bill by March 27 next year. Not just the 1.6 million Scots who voted for independence will demand that timetable is followed but all Scots who participated in this referendum will demand that timetable is followed.
Oregon, Alaska and Washington, D.C. legalize marijuana
Voters in Oregon, Alaska and Washington, D.C. approve marijuana legalization. In Oregon, the law legalizes personal possession, manufacture and sale of marijuana for people 21 years of age and older, as well as create a commercial regulatory system for the production, distribution and sale of marijuana. Alaska’s law taxes and regulates the production, sale and use of marijuana, making the use legal for people over 21 years old. Washington, D.C.’s proposal allows for a person over 21 years old to possess up to two ounces of marijuana for personal use and grow up to six cannabis plants in their home. It also allows people to transfer up to one ounce of marijuana to another person, but not sell it. Drug Policy Alliance:
The pace of reform is accelerating, other states are sure to follow, and even Congress is poised to wake from its slumber.
Wins third term as South Carolina Senator
Graham defeats Hutto to be elected to United States Senate from South Carolina for third time. He receives 54.3% of the votes.
I think the verdict is in. South Carolina voters think solving problems and working across party lines was not mutually exclusive to being conservative…Every election is a rebirth of democracy. I dedicate this night to all those who stand in harm’s way, making it possible for this nation to choose our leaders.
Restricts Syrian visas
Lebanon begin imposing entry restrictions on Syrians as the country struggles to cope with more than a million refugees fleeing the civil war next door. The government estimates there are about 1.5 million Syrians in Lebanon, about a quarter of the total population. Some 1.1 million are registered with the UN refugee agency. Lebanese officials say they simply cannot absorb any more. The policy requires Syrians to obtain visas that limit the time they can remain in Lebanon. Interior minister:
We have enough. There’s no capacity any more to host more displaced
Lebanese security officials say many Syrians are turned back at border crossings but they have no exact figures. The flow of Syrians through one popular crossing appears lower than normal. There are no plans to forcibly repatriate Syrians already in Lebanon.
Wins 2015 CPAC straw poll
Paul wins the 2015 Conservative Political Action Conference straw poll for potential GOP presidential candidates, with 26% of votes.
Our party is filled with constitutional conservatives who have chosen to stand with me for a third consecutive straw poll victory.
Running for Congress
Matthews plans to run for the seat being vacated by Rep. Van Hollen. Matthews is currently speaking with Democratic activists as well as interviewing consultants.
Her successful career in local television plus her work for one of the region’s most respected employers definitely gives her a strong background to be a strong voice.
Announces Presidential run
Cruz announces on Twitter that he’s running for President.
I'm running for President and I hope to earn your support! pic.twitter.com/0UTqaIoytP
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) March 23, 2015
Stands ‘unapologetically’ with Israel
While speaking to a crowd at Liberty University, Cruz announces he’s running for President. He also criticizes President Obama.
Instead of a president who boycotts Prime Minister Netanyahu, imagine a president who stands unapologetically with the nation of Israel.
Claims global warming will encourage prostitution
Lee introduces House Concurrent Resolution 29, a resolution which warns that because of the conflict and instability that global warming will create, women will be forced into prostitution in order to obtain enough food and clean water for their families. Excerpt:
Women will disproportionately face harmful impacts from climate change. Food insecure women with limited socioeconomic resources may be vulnerable to situations such as sex work, transactional sex, and early marriage that put them at risk for HIV, STIs, unplanned pregnancy, and poor reproductive health.