OPINION: Do new 2017 state laws hint at momentum for federal changes as well?
On Saturday, when the clock struck midnight and 2016 officially ended, many Americans were eager to see the close of a year that brought about a great deal of change throughout the political and social landscape.
But in many states, Jan. 1, 2017 meant even more change as new state laws voted in during 2016 finally kicked into action.
A wide array of new state laws is now in effect, including new regulations involving marijuana, minimum wage and gun control. The sweeping nature of the changes has some observers wondering whether these new state regulations could signal momentum for eventual changes to federal law as well.