This week, several states, such as Connecticut, Illinois, Michigan, and Oklahoma, have given approval to varying tax relief measures. Additionally, different states have moved forward with bills to limit or obstruct the provisioning of gender-affirming medical care, while others are seeking to lift the wage cap for public sector employees.

Alabama

Over 170 faith leaders across Alabama have signed a letter requesting that Governor Kay Ivey (R) conduct an independent investigation into execution methods and protocols in the state.

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Alaska

Governor Mike Dunleavy (R) proposed expanding Medicaid coverage to increase mental health care for new mothers.

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Arkansas

The Arkansas House of Representatives approved a bill which would ban “adult-oriented” performers from performing to minors or on public property. The revised version of the bill no longer contains any specific mention of “drag shows.”

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California

State Senator Nancy Skinner (D) has proposed a bill that would prohibit social media platforms from using algorithms to promote topics including ghost guns, fentanyl, harmful diet products, eating disorders, suicide, or social media addiction.

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Colorado

Governor Jared Polis (D) has issued an Executive Order which extends the state’s disaster declaration of Covid-19.

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Connecticut

Governor Ned Lamont (D) has called for a reduction in income tax rates from 5% to 4.5%, in addition to increasing the Earned Income Tax Credit.

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Delaware

Governor John Carney (D) has recognized 10 small businesses in Delaware as winners and recipients of EDGE (Encouraging Development, Growth, and Expansion) grants.

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Florida

Florida’s GOP-controlled Senate approved legislation on Friday to let the state take over the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which is the government body that has given Disney unique powers in Central Florida for over 50 years. Per the legislation, the district’s existing board will be replaced by a five-member board hand-picked by Governor Ron DeSantis (R).

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Georgia

A House committee moved forward with a bill that would require the certification of solar panel installers by the state Public Service Commission.

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Idaho

An Idaho House committee has pushed forward a bill that would criminalize gender-affirming care including puberty blockers, hormones, and surgery for trans youth.

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Illinois

Democrat legislators are hoping that Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) will support a child tax credit of up to $700 per child in low and middle-income households. The bill is estimated to benefit about half of the children in Illinois.

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Indiana

Indiana’s Office of Community and Rural Affairs signed a contract worth $50 million to expand high-speed internet to 19 rural counties in the state.

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Iowa

With tort reform being one of Governor Kim Reynolds’s (R) highest priorities, Iowa’s state legislature has approved a $1 million cap in lawsuits against doctors and clinics, and a $2 million cap on damages awarded in malpractice suits against hospitals.

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Kansas

Governor Laura Kelly (D) announced a total of $5 million in “Safe Streets and Roads for All” grant funding for 12 communities across Kansas.

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Kentucky

Governor Andy Beshear (D) has announced nearly $830,000 in funding and credits to fund the training of over 2,100 workers in the state.

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Louisiana

The state Senate has approved a $45 million package intended to solve Louisiana’s property insurance crisis by incentivizing insurance companies to return to the marketplace.

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Maine

Advocates in Maine are lobbying for paid family leave and hope Maine will become the 12th state to enact paid family and medical leave benefits.

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Maryland

Maryland legislators filed legislation to impose taxes and regulations on marijuana products. Under the bill, marijuana products would be taxed at 6%, increasing one percentage point each year until 2028. The revenue from these taxes would go towards the state’s Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund.

Learn more here.

Massachusetts

The state Senate has voted to eliminate term limits for the Senate’s chamber president, a position currently held by Senator Karen E. Spilka (D).

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Michigan

Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) and other legislators have reached an agreement on a series of tax cuts and direct inflation relief checks.

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Minnesota

Minnesota’s House Public Safety Committee is considering a series of gun control bills that will include background checks, safe storage requirements, protocols for mandated reporting of missing firearms, and a “red flag” measure.

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Mississippi

Mississippi’s state House of Representatives approved a bill that would create a new court system for Jackson, appointed by state officials instead of prosecutors and locally-elected judges.

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Missouri

Missouri’s House Budget Committee has approved a measure that would increase pay for state workers by 8.7% in an effort to stop employee flight to the private sector, with exceptions for the governor and state legislators.

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Montana

Montana’s House of Representatives has approved a bill which would allow medical providers to deny services on the basis of “ethical, moral, or religious beliefs and principles.”

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Nebraska

Legislators in Nebraska have introduced a bill that would legalize limited forms and uses of marijuana.

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Nevada

Governor Joe Lombardo (R) has proposed a measure which seeks to retain workers by lifting the cap on state employee wages.

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New Jersey

Governor Phil Murphy (D) has signed a Temporary Workers Bill of Rights, which grants temporary workers rights to equal pay, and bans temp agencies from blocking workers from accepting full-time work at firms.

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New Mexico

New Mexico’s Consumer and Public Affairs Committee has advanced legislation to ban ownership of assault weapons and high-capacity clips, and implement a 14-day waiting period for gun purchases.

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New York

State Senator Anthony Palumbo (R) has filed a lawsuit to force a Senate vote on Governor Kathy Hochul’s (D) choice for state chief judge.

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North Carolina

North Carolina’s Senate has approved a bill dubbed the “Parents’ Bill of Rights,” which would require schools to alert parents before calling children by different names or pronouns, and prohibit teachings on sexuality and gender identity.

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North Dakota

Governor Doug Burgum (R) signed a measure that would allocate $68 million to construct 13 technical education career centers across the state.

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Ohio

Governor Mike DeWine (R) has proposed a raise in eligibility caps from $69,375 per year to $110,000 per year for households eligible to receive tuition vouchers for private schools.

Learn more here.

Oklahoma

In his State of the State address, Governor Kevin Stitt (R) proposed the elimination of grocery taxes in the state, and a reduction of the income tax rate from 4.75% to 3.99%.

Learn more here.

Oregon

Governor Tina Kotek (D) is calling for the resignation of Oregon’s Liquor and Cannabis Commission executive director for ethics violations in their position.

Learn more here.

Pennsylvania

A Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court has ruled that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and has charged Governor Josh Shapiro (D) and the legislature to come up with a solution.

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South Dakota

South Carolina’s state House of Representatives has approved a measure which would prohibit the use of drop boxes for absentee ballots.

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Tennessee

House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R) has introduced a measure which would opt Tennessee out of federal funding for K-12 education.

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Texas

Governor Greg Abbott’s (R) administration is stating that the use of DEI qualifications in hiring, or the existence of DEI initiatives, positions, or departments in the public sector are illegal.

Learn more here.

Vermont

Vermont senators are working to create a bill that would protect reproductive and gender-affirming procedures, include such procedures in health insurance plans, and eliminate patient copays for such services.

Learn more here.

Virginia

Virginia’s state Senate is moving ahead with a measure to prohibit foreign governments from purchasing agricultural land after the year 2023.

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Washington

Washington’s state Senate passed a bill that would repeal the need for advisory votes on tax increases.

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West Virginia

West Virginia’s Senate voted to cut personal income tax rates by 15%, half of the reduction sought by Governor Jim Justice (R).

Learn more here.

Wyoming

Wyoming’s Senate has passed a measure that will prohibit transgender athletes from playing in sports leagues that align with their gender identities.

Learn more here.

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

  • David Vitali: new Manager, Public Policy, NJ and PA, Amazon

  • Kate Roberts: new Special Advisor to the Budget Secretary, Office of Governor Josh Shapiro

  • Rachel Boss: new Director, Health Policy, UPMC Health Plan

  • James Kennedy: new Policy Analyst, County Commissioners Association of Ohio

  • Samantha Koch: new Director of Policy & Planning, PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD)

  • Aaron Danks: new External Affairs Associate, Office of Governor Josh Shapiro

  • Alan Deckman: new Founder and President, CT Blockchain Association

  • Nicholas Carton: new Regional Director, State Government Affairs, Juul Labs

Happy Birthdays This Week

  • Ryan Stevens: Director of Public Affairs and Business Development, Duane Morris Government Strategies

  • Jody McGinness: Executive Director, Hemp Industries Association

  • Clifford Williamson: Executive Director, Virginia Agribusiness Council

  • Ron Gallagher: President, PA Association of Mutual Insurance Companies

  • Gordy Hulten: Chief Operating Officer, Illinois Manufacturers’ Association

  • Johannes Escudero: Founder and CEO, Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas

  • Robert Nash: State Government Affairs Counsel, American Family Insurance

  • Morgan McCord: Government Affairs Specialist, Virgin Orbit

Want to wish someone a happy birthday or recognize their new job or promotion? Email future suggestions to rjstevens@dmgs.com.

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