NEWSMAKERS.

• Position: Mike Nugent's retirement, California Council on Science and Technology Leadership Awards to Nancy Skinner, Jacqui Irwin and Jay Obernolte, and John Kavanagh as Senate president pro tempore

"We've gone the opposite direction, where criminals are feeling emboldened by this law."

Alaska Senator Mia Costello (R) on rolling back some sentencing and other reforms because, unlike in other states with reforms, Alaska's crime rates have not fallen, in Governing.

THE IDAHO LEGISLATURE'S LONGTIME CHIEF BILL DRAFTER, MIKE NUGENT, RETIRED IN MARCH after 41 years of service. Lawmakers from both parties praised Nugent's impartiality, and a House resolution honored his "unparalleled knowledge of Idaho legislative history." Nugent was active in NCSL for many years and was recognized with a Legislative Staff Achievement Award in 2007.

CALIFORNIA SENATOR NANCY SKINNER (D) AND ASSEMBLYMEMBERS JACQUI IRWIN (D) AND JAY OBERNOLTE (R) received the inaugural California Council on Science and Technology Leadership Awards. Skinner was recognized for her contributions to the council's Policy Fellowship Program, which recruits and trains scientists and engineers to work in the Legislature. Irwin received an award for consistently considering scientific evidence and advice since early in her career. And Obernolte was recognized for addressing the impact of new technology on Californians.

SENATOR JOHN KAVANAGH (R) ASSUMED THE ROLE OF SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM IN ARIZONA after Debbie Lesko (R) left the position to run for a vacant congressional seat. Kavanagh has been a member of the Arizona Legislature since 2006. Lesko won the Republican primary race and will face Hiral Tipirneni in an April 24 special general election.

"I would like kids to focus on their academics and learning and not on wondering where their next meal is going to come from while they're in school."

Colorado Senator Rhonda Fields (D) on expanding coverage of reduced-price lunch costs, in The Colorado Independent.

IOWA SPEAKER LINDA UPMEYER (R) WILL CHAIR THE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATIVE CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE during the 2018 election cycle. Upmeyer, who is the first female House speaker in Iowa history, will be the first woman to chair the campaign committee.

INDIANA SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM DAVID LONG (R) ANNOUNCED THAT HE WILL RETIRE in November after serving in the General Assembly for 22 years, the last 12 as Senate GOP leader. "It's difficult to leave a job that you love and that you believe you were born to do," Long said...