Florida made headlines this week following the legislature’s recent special session to address COVID-19 related issues. Notably, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a package of bills to allow private sector employees to opt-out of COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Additionally, more states including Indiana are hoping to legalize marijuana in the next legislative session and more states have now approved new political maps as part of the redistricting process.
Learn about all this, and more, in this week’s DMGS State Capital Recap!
California
State lawmakers have called on Gov. Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency for backlogged ports in Los Angeles and Long Beach.
Learn more here.
Florida
Governor Ron DeSantis signed a package of bills this week that will allow private sector employees to opt-out of COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
Learn more here.
Indiana
Earlier this week, the Indiana Democratic Party called for both medical and recreational marijuana to be legalized in the state. Now, some state lawmakers are working to introduce legislation to legalize marijuana.
Learn more here.
Nevada
Gov. Steve Sisolak this week signed legislation approving the state’s new political districts following the legislature’s recent special session.
Learn more here.
Ohio
Ohio lawmakers this week approved a new congressional map. The bill now heads to Gov. Mike DeWine for approval.
Learn more here.
Oklahoma
State lawmakers convened this week for a special legislative session to address redistricting.
Learn more here.
Pennsylvania
A bipartisan team of lawmakers in Pennsylvania are introducing legislation, Medical Marijuana Home Cultivation Bill, that would permit patients to grow marijuana plants at home.
Learn more here.
Tennessee
Lawmakers in Tennessee formally honored the Tennessee Baseball Vols this weekfor their outstanding 2021 season that led them to their first College World Series appearance in more than a decade.
Learn more here.
Utah
A Utah legislative committee, in an unexpected move, killed a proposal to expand the menu of election options available to cities under a pilot program that started in 2019.
Learn more here
Wisconsin
A bipartisan group of lawmakers in Wisconsin are teaming up to reform the state’s marijuana laws.
Learn more here.
This Week’s DMGS Posts
- What is in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill?
- After weeks of complex negotiations between progressives and moderates, the House of Representatives finally reached an accord on a bipartisan infrastructure package.
- Ignition Interlock Device Legislation
- While there have been many concerted efforts by various states across the country to reduce alcohol-related vehicle crashes and driving under the influences (DUIs), one measure has gained widespread use: ignition interlock devices.
Capital and Capitol Happenings: Staff on the Move, Promotions, and More
- Kino Becton: new Vice President of Government Affairs, Passport
- Joseph Desilets: new Campaign Manager, Kristi Noem for Governor
- Dan Vardaro: new Chief of Staff, Albany Strategic Advisors
Happy Birthdays This Week
- Joshua Hess: District Director, Congressman H. Morgan Griffith (VA-09)
- Bryan Ha: Director of Government Relations, California Faculty Association
Email future suggestions to rjstevens@dmgs.com
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