This week was highlighted by lawmakers around the country returning to their respective capitols to resume legislative work, in addition to numerous governors delivering their annual State of the State addresses, outlining their visions and priorities for 2024.
Alabama
A state lawmaker has re-filed a bill this week to create stricter penalties for fentanyl dealing. Under the bill, if someone were to die from fentanyl, the dealer would be charged with manslaughter.
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Alaska
Two Democratic legislators in Alaska have introduced legislation to create a state task force to study policy issues around psychedelic drugs. The task force would then provide recommendations related to the potential therapeutic uses of the drugs.
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Arizona
Governor Katie Hobbs (D) gave her annual State of the State address this week. Topics covered included lowering health care costs, securing the southern border, infrastructure improvements, and housing affordability.
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California
A proposal in the California legislature that would ban tackle football for children under 12 passed a committee this week. The bill, which passed 5-2, now proceeds to the full chamber for consideration. The legislation comes in response to ever-growing concerns over concussions in football.
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Colorado
Governor Jared Polis (D) delivered his annual State of the State address this week. Topics covered include housing and transit, recent improvements in public safety and police recruitment, and decreasing the cost of healthcare.
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Delaware
Lawmakers returned to Dover this week to begin the new year. Speaking to legislative priorities, House Speaker Valerie Longhurst indicated the legislature would focus on mental health for students as well as infrastructure improvements.
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Florida
Governor Ron DeSantis (R) delivered his State of the State address this week. In the address, he focused on highlighting the successes of his tenure and presented Florida as a safer, more prosperous state than others.
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Georgia
Lawmakers reconvened in Georgia this week to kick off 40 days of session. Topics they are expected to discuss include Medicaid, the state budget, and education.
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Idaho
Governor Brad Little (R) delivered his annual State of the State Address. Topics covered included education and infrastructure, including new $2 billion in new investments in school facilities.
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Indiana
Entering his final year in office, Governor Eric Holcomb (R) addressed his priorities for this legislative session. The Governor’s priorities include helping increase early childhood access to education, increasing collaboration with local communities on disaster preparedness efforts, and improving economic development, among others.
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Iowa
Governor Kim Reynolds (R) delivered her annual Condition of State address, in which she focused on issues such as workforce improvement, educational choice, and abortion laws in the state.
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Kansas
Governor Laura Kelly (D), in conjunction with state legislative leaders, introduced a bipartisan tax cut plan. The plan includes property tax cuts, eliminating taxes on social security income, and increasing the state’s standard deduction.
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Kentucky
Governor Andy Beshear (D) gave his 5th State of the Commonwealth Address on Wednesday, January 3rd. In his address, he outlined his achievements during his first term in office, including building the Brent Space Companion bridge that excludes tolls, and protecting health care access for residents. He also laid out his plans for the upcoming legislative session.
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Louisiana
Jeff Landry (R) was officially sworn into office. Landry succeeds Democrat John Bel Edwards (D) who was term-limited last year.
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Maryland
Governor Wes Moore (D) unveiled three new measures this week to combat violence and increase public safety. Measures include a new statewide center to combat gun violence, and increasing the potential police workforce.
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Massachusetts
Legislators in Massachusetts are considering legislation that would make the completion of financial literacy classes a requirement for high school graduation.
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Mississippi
Governor Tate Reeves (R) was sworn into his second term this week. Governor Reeves also laid out the successes of the first term, including the largest tax cut in the state’s history and a pay raise for Mississippi teachers.
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Nebraska
Governor Jim Pillen (R) announced he will pursue property tax reduction for Nebraskans, by 40% from $5.3 billion to $3 billion.
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New Jersey
Governor Phil Murphy (D) delivered his State of the State address this week. In the address, he encouraged the legislature to support measures to help working families, including medical debt relief and improving affordable housing.
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New York
Governor Kathy Hochul (D) delivered her State of the State address this week, laying out her legislative priorities for the year. The Governor’s proposals include new measures to crack down on retail theft, treating mental illness amongst young people, and trying to make things more affordable for New York residents.
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Ohio
The Ohio State House voted to override the veto of Governor Mike DeWine (R) over a bill that would ban gender-affirming care in the state for minors and would prohibit transgender females from participating in middle and high school sports. The Senate will have to consider a veto override when they meet on January 24th.
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Oregon
Oregon legislators are considering the introduction of a bill that would criminalize the possession of a small amount of drugs, in contradiction to the state’s 2020 ballot measure 110.
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Pennsylvania
Governor Josh Shapiro (D) announced a joint project with Open AI, creating a new pilot program to educate some state employees how they can safely and effectively use AI.
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South Carolina
Governor Henry McMaster (R) proposed $250 million towards increasing teacher pay in his latest budget proposal. The increase would make the new minimum teacher salary $45,000 annually.
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South Dakota
Governor Kristi Noem (R) delivered her State of the State address this week. In the address, she highlighted the TV ads she has done around the country and credited them for increasing interest in the state. Additionally, she stated her intention to prioritize programs that help mothers and very young children.
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Tennessee
Governor Bill Lee (R) is proposing legislation to help protect the rights of music artists in the event their work is misused through artificial intelligence. Tennessee would be the first state in the country to pass such a law.
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Vermont
Governor Phil Scott (R) delivered his Annual State of the State address this week. In the address, he highlighted the three main issues impacting Vermont residents as public safety, affordability, and housing.
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Virginia
Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) delivered his annual State of the State Address. While he highlighted past accomplishments, he also touted the state’s new $2.1 billion in annual funding compared to 2021 levels, including new raises for teachers.
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