This week, several states held high profile primary races for Governor, U.S. Congress, and the state legislature. In other notable news, several states are considering various pieces of abortion legislation, and Kansas became the first state in the country to have a direct vote on abortion access since the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Arizona

Arizona held their primary on Tuesday. Secretary of State Katie Hobbs easily won the Democratic nomination with about 75% of the vote. She will face Republican Kari Lake in November.

Learn more here.

Arkansas

On Tuesday, Arkansas Gov Asa Hutchinson announced that legislators will consider a $50 million grant program for Arkansas school safety during a special session next week.

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California

On Monday, California legislators passed Senate Bill 57, which would allow the creation of safe injection cites in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Oakland. The bill heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk.

Learn more here.

Connecticut

Connecticut’s Department of Education released new guidelines for in-person learning as kids prepare to return to school.

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Georgia

Governor Brian Kemp is extending the state’s gas tax suspension again, this time through mid-September.

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Indiana

Legislators in Indiana are considering new restrictions on abortion during a special session.

Learn more here.

Kansas

On Tuesday, voters in Kansas rejected a constitutional amendment that would have restricted abortion in the state. They were the first in the nation to vote on abortion rights.

Learn more here.

Kentucky

Kentucky State Senate President Robert Stivers indicated the possibility of a special session on how to use emergency flood relief funds in wake of the recent flooding.

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Michigan

On Tuesday, Tudor Dixon won the Republican nomination for Governor. She will face incumbent Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer in November.

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Missouri

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt won the Republican nomination for US Senate to replace retiring Senator Roy Blunt. He will face Democrat Trudy Busch Valentine in the Fall.

Learn more here.

New Jersey

On Monday, Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation that requires school officials to establish threat assessment teams in schools.

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New York

New York’s legislature signed The Grieving Families Act, amending the state’s wrongful death law.

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Ohio

Ohio held their second primary of the year on Tuesday, which included all 99 seats in the Ohio House of Representatives.

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Pennsylvania

Gov. Tom Wolf is proposing sending $2,000 checks directly to Pennsylvanians.

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South Carolina

A piece of legislation that would place new restrictions on abortion is moving through the South Carolina legislature.

Learn more here.

Tennessee

The results of the Tennessee elections are in for Governor, U.S. Senate, Congress, and races for the state legislature.

Learn more here.

Washington

Washington’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People Task Force is making recommendations to help law enforcement better coordinate investigations.

Learn more here.

This Week’s DMGS Posts

  • Congress Considers Impacts Of Biofuel Mandates On Fuel And Food Prices
    • As food gets more expensive due to grain shortages, U.S. lawmakers have likewise begun considering the impact of biofuel mandates on escalating prices, considering reforms to the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) to counteract its impacts on fuel and food prices. A diverse coalition of elected officials, union and business leaders, and independent refiners have been calling attention to the RFS’ effect on fuel and food price hikes, adding to the cost of inflation.
  • Regulating Payday Loans: What Changes Are On The Horizon?
    • Payday loans, also known as cash advance loans or check advance loans, are a form of short-term borrowing where high-interest credit is extended by a lender based on one’s income. Typically, the loan’s principal is a portion of one’s next paycheck. However, each state has regulations that limit the cost of small loans and require the loans to be repayable over time in reasonably priced installments.
  • Fentanyl Test Strips: Legislation Decriminalizing Their Use
    • Fentanyl test strips are essentially a drug testing technology, initially developed for urinalysis, but can be effective at detecting fentanyl and fentanyl-analogs in samples of drugs. Lawmakers around the country are looking to decriminalize the use of fentanyl test strips to combat the rise in fentanyl-related deaths.
  • What’s Included In The Senate Deal On Biden’s Domestic Agenda?
    • After months of negotiations, on the evening of July 27, 2022, Senator Joe Manchin and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that they had reached an agreement on parts of President Biden’s domestic agenda (Build Back Better) to be included in a package to be passed under the Senate’s reconciliation procedure.
 

Capital and Capitol Happenings: New Positions, Promotions, and More

  • Kaylee McGuire: new Deputy Commissioner of Disability and Aging Services, New Jersey Department of Human Services
  • Manthan Bhatt: new Head of Government Affairs, CareRev
  • Michelle Rakebrand: new AVP, Government Affairs, EmblemHealth
  • Rahul Kalsi: new Director of Government Affairs, Nicor Gas
  • Courtney Perlino: new Senior Public Policy Content Development Manager, US Pharmacopeia
  • Rob Orr: new Director of Regulatory Affairs, Lone Star Transmission
  • J.C. Hernandez: new Director, Health Care, Stand Together

Happy Birthdays This Week

  • Michael Suleiman: Manager of Government Relations, South Jersey Transportation Authority
  • Amy Befeld: Legislative Consultant, Texas Association of Counties
  • Joe Massaro: President & CEO, Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association
  • Josh Wilson: Director of Legislative Affairs, Pennsylvania Treasury

Email future suggestions to rjstevens@dmgs.com.

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