This week, lawmakers around the country continued to discuss and take action on ways to respond to rising gas prices, a topic we’ve recently covered. Other issues remain at the forefront of lawmakers’ minds, including CRT, banning of gas-powered lawn equipment, catalytic converter thefts, redistricting, smoking, medical marijuana, and more.
California
This week, state lawmakers announced legislation that will provide a $400 rebate for every taxpayer in the state to help ease the burden of the state’s rising gas prices.
Learn more here.
Colorado
Colorado lawmakers are backing off legislation, SB 138, that would have prohibited the sale or advertising of gas-powered lawn equipment along the northern Front Range, including the Denver metro area.
Learn more here.
Connecticut
State lawmakers have introduced legislation to crack down on thieves who steal catalytic converters out of parked cars.
Learn more here.
Florida
Florida lawmakers finished the regular legislative session at the beginning of the week and passed a record $112.1 billion budget for the fiscal year that will begin on July 1st.
Learn more here.
Georgia
This week, the Georgia House passed legislation that would suspend taxes on gas through May.
Learn more here.
Maryland
Maryland lawmakers passed legislation this week that will suspend the state’s collection of its $0.36 fuel tax for 30 days.
Learn more here.
Michigan
The GOP-controlled Legislature sent more election bills to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer this week to address inaccurate addresses and dates of birth in Michigan’s voter file.
Learn more here.
Mississippi
Governor Tate Reeves earlier this week signed legislation that will ban the teaching of critical race theory in Mississippi’s K-12 schools, colleges and universities.
Learn more here.
New York
Two democratic lawmakers called on fellow state legislators to pass their legislation to classify “emergency medical services” as “essential services” under state law. The legislation would also tackle the EMS personnel shortage by making sure they have access to health and pension benefits.
Learn more here.
Ohio
The Ohio Supreme Court has rejected a third set of Ohio Statehouse district maps and sent them back for a fourth try, even as final ballots were being prepared for the upcoming primary on May 3rd.
Learn more here.
Oklahoma
One state lawmaker proposed legislation that would use the technology that cryptocurrency is based on to create a banking system for medical marijuana dispensaries to use with the state of Oklahoma.
Learn more here.
Pennsylvania
Two state lawmakers introduced legislation this week that would ban smoking in casinos and other workplaces, like private clubs and bars, in the Keystone State.
Learn more here.
Rhode Island
The Rhode Island state House this week passed a bill that would give the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) the authority to set up a quarantine area that would prevent domestic animals or products from traveling if a suspected case of a contagious disease is present.
Learn more here.
Tennessee
Tennessee lawmakers and the Tennessee Titans are negotiating a deal to provide state funds for a new stadium.
Learn more here.
Vermont
This week, state lawmakers passed a sweeping thermal energy bill which aims to reduce home heating carbon emissions that make up 30% of Vermont’s greenhouse gasses.
Learn more here.
This Week’s DMGS Posts
- State Lawmakers React to Surge in Gas Prices
- Amid the rising surge in gas prices, state lawmakers and governors around the nation are proposing various solutions to help provide some sort of relief at the pump for consumers. However, not all states are taking action, and some states may be unlikely to take any action at all, such as Alabama and Iowa.
- Pennsylvania Candidates File to Get on the May Primary Ballot
- Tuesday March 15th marked the last day statewide and congressional candidates in Pennsylvania could circulate and file nomination petitions to get on the ballot for the 2022 Pennsylvania Primary. Plenty is at stake in the Keystone State, with Governor Tom Wolf (D) term-limited, Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman (D) seeking the democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, and incumbent U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R) not seeking re-election.
Capital and Capitol Happenings: Staff on the Move, Promotions, and More
- Jacqueline Wong: new Executive Director, First 5 California
- Herb Tyson: new Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, US Department of Commerce, NTIA
- Andrea Gutierrez: new Government Relations (West), McKesson & The US Oncology Network
- Danielle Scoggins: new Vice President of Policy and Strategic Initiatives, Florida Hospital Association
- Matthew Walsh: new Government Relations Manager, Accenture
Happy Birthdays This Week
- Kevin Busher: Pennsylvania Government Affairs Manager, Duane Morris Government Strategies
- Brandon Danz: Senior Director, WellSpan Health
- Madeline Urbish: Head of Government Affairs & Policy (New Jersey), Ørsted
- Hugh Allen: Executive Deputy Treasurer and Chief of Staff, Pennsylvania Treasury
- Dy Reed: Lead State Government Affairs Manager, Washington Gas
- Taylor Justice: Co-Founder & President, Unite Us
- Davante Lewis: Director of Public Affairs and Outreach, Louisiana Budget Project
Email future suggestions to rjstevens@dmgs.com
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