This week, governors across the country continued delivering their State of the State addresses, outlining their visions for their respective states this year. Additionally, lawmakers across the country are addressing a myriad of issues at the onset of 2023 legislative sessions, including limiting the sale of electric vehicles, death penalty protocols, cannabis, and limiting drag performances.

Alabama

The Alabama Supreme Court, with the support of Governor Kay Ivey (R), has changed its death penalty procedures to eliminate automatic review for trial errors and allow the prison system more time to carry out executions.

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Arkansas

Arkansas’s Senate has approved placing restrictions on drag show locations, categorizing drag performances as “adult-oriented business” in the same way that strip clubs, escort agencies, and adult theaters are.

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California

California’s Assembly is considering legislation that would create a statewide stock of infant formula in response to the past year’s shortage.

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Colorado

A bill that would permit cities to pass rent stabilization measures has been introduced in the state legislature.

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Connecticut

Governor Ned Lamont (D) has banned open carry of firearms in the state, installed a monthly limit on handgun purchases, and strengthened enforcement of Connecticut’s ban on “ghost guns.”

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Delaware

Representative Ed Osienski (D) has introduced legislation that would legalize marijuana for individuals 21 years old and older and introduce a regulatory structure and 15% sales tax to the marijuana market.

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Florida

Governor Ron DeSantis (R) has revealed a “Teacher’s Bill of Rights” that would greatly diminish the power of teachers’ unions, raise teacher pay, and limit the term of school board members.

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Georgia

Governor Brian Kemp (R) delivered his State of the State address, emphasizing that fighting crime would be a major priority for his administration.

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Hawaii

Governor Josh Green (D) had announced his proposal for a $1 billion investment in affordable housing and tax breaks for all income levels. The Governor also signed a proclamation which would permit the construction of 12 communities to house those experiencing homelessness.

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Idaho

“Idaho Launch,” a grant program that would invest in the career paths of Idaho students pursuing in-demand careers, has been proposed in committee in the Idaho House of Representatives.

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Illinois

Former state senator and former GOP gubernatorial nominee Darren Bailey is leading a lawsuit against the state’s ban on assault weapons.

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Indiana

Former Governor Mitch Daniels (R) has declared his interest in entering the race for Indiana’s open U.S. Senate seat.

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Iowa

The Iowa State Legislature approved Governor Kim Reynolds’ (R) proposal to issue vouchers of up to $7,598 for private tuition. For each student who receives voucher funding, public school districts will receive up to $1,205.

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Kansas

Governor Laura Kelly (D) called for the decriminalization of medical marijuana in her State of the State address.

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Kentucky

Governor Andy Beshear (D) has announced an additional high-ground home development to help Eastern Kentucky rebuild after the destructive floods it experienced six months ago.

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Louisiana

Governor John Bel Edwards (D) has called for a special session to address the growing property insurance crisis in the state, and hopes to implement a $45 million incentive fund that will compel companies to create new policies.

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Maine

Republicans in the state Senate are seeking to cap the increasing cost of home heating in the state, which has doubled since 2020.

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Maryland

A bill that would dedicate $12 million to funding Maryland’s suicide and crisis prevention hotline is being considered by the State Senate.

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Massachusetts

Kate Walsh, current CEO of the Boston Medical Center Health System has been appointed as Massachusetts’s Secretary of Health and Human Services.

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Michigan

Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) has proposed universal pre-K for Michigan 4 year-olds, in addition to increasing income tax credits, and decreasing tax on retirement incomes in her State of the State address.

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Minnesota

Governor Tim Walz (D) has proposed $1 billion to increase affordable housing, and $300 million to support public safety agencies in the state.

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Mississippi

Mississippi’s House of Representatives approved a measure that would bar electric vehicle manufacturers from selling vehicles to consumers directly.

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Missouri

Governor Mike Parson (R) is advocating to create 27 new positions for youth behavioral health liaisons in the state.

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Montana

Montana Democrats are proposing $20 million in order to support the state’s behavioral health system.

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Nebraska

Pete Ricketts (R) has been sworn in as a member of the U.S. Senate, taking the seat of former Senator Ben Sasse (R).

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Nevada

In his first State of the State address, Governor Joe Lombardo (R) has proposed a suspension of the state’s gas tax, business tax cuts, and a dedication of $313 million to the state’s rainy day fund.

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New Hampshire

Governor Chris Sununu (R) has released a report recommending that New Hampshire create a legal framework to regulate the development of blockchain technology and application in the state.

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New Mexico

New Mexico’ House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee has moved forward with a bill that would hold adults criminally culpable for children and teens accessing their firearms.

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New York

New York Democrats have passed legislation that would extend the Equal Rights Amendment so as to protect New Yorkers’ constitutional right to access an abortion.

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North Dakota

The House Judiciary Committee has advanced a bill that would make it a misdemeanor to allow a minor to attend a drag show, with second offenses being treated as Class C felonies.

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Ohio

Governor Mike DeWine (R) has signed a bill that requires state IDs and driver’s licenses to state whether an individual is a “noncitizen.”

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Oklahoma

One lawmaker is hoping to make some changes to Oklahoma’s abortion law by emphasizing exceptions.

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Oregon

This week, state lawmakers announced more than $3 million in additional rental assistance funding, following Gov. Tina Kotek declaring a “Homelessness State of Emergency.”

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Pennsylvania

Governor Josh Shapiro (D) has signed an Executive Order to establish the Pennsylvania Office of Transformation and Opportunity within the Governor’s Office and the Economic Development Strategy Group.

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Rhode Island

Governor Dan McKee (D) has announced a homeownership program that would provide $17,500 in down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers.

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South Carolina

Governor Henry McMaster (R) issued his State of the State address, renewing his call for a ban on abortion, and declaring that the governor’s office should have a say in judicial appointments.

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South Dakota

South Dakota’s House of Representatives has approved a $200 million fund for housing infrastructure. The bill will also expedite funding for water lines and roads in new housing developments, and will be sent to Governor Kristi Noem (R) for her signature.

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Tennessee

Tennessee’s Department of Health has rejected a CDC grant program that provides community health organizations with resources to treat HIV-positive patients.

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Texas

Governor Greg Abbott (R) has signed legislation that would prohibit citizens and foreign entities from China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia from purchasing land in the state.

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Utah

Utah House GOP leaders are reigniting a bill that would block private businesses from mandating proof of Covid-19 vaccination.

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Vermont

Governor Phil Scott (R) has released his proposed 2024 budget, totaling $8.4 billion and including $2.1 billion towards education, $335 million towards transportation, and $150 million for infrastructure improvements.

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Washington

Republicans in Washington state’s House of Representatives have introduced a bill that would impose a legislative check on Governor Jay Inslee’s (D) emergency powers.

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West Virginia

West Virginia’s Senate Committee has passed a bill that would ban any platform or technology (including TikTok) that could threaten cybersecurity from state devices.

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Wisconsin

Total control over Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources has been assumed by Governor Tony Evers (D) for the first time in his tenure.

Learn more here.

Wyoming

Wyoming legislators have introduced two bills that seek to protect the state’s fossil fuel-based industries by banning the sale of electric vehicles by 2035.

Learn more here.

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

  • Kelly Ramsey Fuhlbrigge: new Director – Legislation, Regulations, Communications at Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services

  • Colton Fedell: new Government Affairs Manager, T-Mobile

  • Ted Mowatt: new Executive Director, PA Association of Home and Community Based Services

  • Zach Border: new Township Manager, Lower Swatara Township

  • Noelle Carter: new Advisor to the Executive Director, Heritage Action for America

  • Monica Laufer: new Senior Public Policy Manager – State and Local Affairs, Workday

  • Chris Frye: new City Administrator, New Castle City

  • Karen Sisson: Head of Strategic Advocacy, Global Government Affairs/Enterprise Risk Management, 3M

  • Jamie Barker: new Director of Legislative Affairs, Office of Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders

  • James Johnson: new Chief of Staff, Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

Happy Birthdays This Week

  • Kevin DiGuiseppe: Business Policy & Advocacy Manager, Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC

  • Ashlie Keener Kuehn: Head of Government Relations and Communications, Botanic Tonics

  • Emma Jungwirth: Assistant Program Budget Manager, California Department of Finance

  • Matthew Frank Guilbault: Associate Director, State Government Affairs, Novartis

  • Cathy Senderling-McDonald: Executive Director, County Welfare Directors Association of California

  • Hank Dempsey: Head of Public Policy – US States, Snap Inc.

  • Brandon Vaughan: Advocacy & Engagement Specialist, Association of American Medical Colleges

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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