Govs On Deck – July 13, 2020

It’s Monday and that can mean just one thing – it’s time for the first “Govs on Deck” of the week. We’re still here and we still hope you are all safe and healthy. As a reminder, this newsletter is now going out on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. 

Questions or suggestions? Send me a note at amestoy@dga.net. You can find us all on Twitter too – @A_Tall_Turner, @CEAmestoy, @JerusalemDemsas, and @andersonkayjay. 

We want this to be helpful, so let me know what other info/what other formats you’d like to see for these updates.

Dem Govs Get It Done: 

NOTE: This is an overview of recent actions, not a comprehensive roundup of everything our incredible governors are doing. Want more examples? Send me an email and I can help you track down answers.

COVID-19 response:

Federal requests:

• MICHIGAN Gov. Gretchen WHITMER sent a letter to President Donald Trump requesting that the president authorize the use of Michigan National Guard forces through December 31, 2020.

State partnerships:

• NEW YORK Gov. Andrew CUOMO announced that New York State will send the COVID-19 medication Remdesivir to Florida as the state struggles with a resurgence of cases. Florida is waiting for a further supply from the federal government and New York will provide enough Remdesivir to help the state care for 280 COVID-19 patients until the federal shipment arrives.

Elections:

• RHODE ISLAND’s Board of Elections’ 2020 Task Force released a series of recommendations to ensure that Rhode Island voters can cast their ballots in a safe and secure manner this fall. Recommendations include centralizing the processing of mail ballot applications, sending all active registered voters a mail ballot application for the general election with postage pre-paid envelopes, sending all active voters a postcard outlining voting options for the September primary, and eliminating the witness or notary requirement for mail ballots among other recommendations. 

Public gatherings:

• LOUISIANA Gov. John Bel EDWARDS limited indoor social gatherings like wedding receptions, class reunions, and parties to 50 total people. 

Face-coverings:

• LOUISIANA Gov. John Bel EDWARDS announced a mandatory mask requirement for Louisiana. The statewide mask mandate allows parishes without high COVID-19 incidence to opt-out if they choose.
• MICHIGAN Gov. Gretchen WHITMER signed an executive order reiterating that individuals are required to wear a face-covering whenever they are in an indoor public space and requiring the use of face-coverings in crowded outdoor spaces. The order requires any business that is open to the public to refuse entry or service to people who refuse to wear a face covering, with limited exceptions. 
• NORTH CAROLINA Gov. Roy COOPER signed legislation that, for an indefinite period of time, permits the wearing of masks during a declared public health emergency. Without the continuing authorization, it would have once again become illegal on August 1st to wear a mask in public settings. That 1952 statute was aimed at the hood-wearing Ku Klux Klan.

Business guidance:

• LOUISIANA Gov. John Bel EDWARDS ordered bars in the state closed to on-premises consumption, as the state experiences an increasing spread of COVID-19.
• NEVADA’s Department of Health and Human Services announced the elevated disease transmission criteria for determining whether a county must revert back to Phase 1 for bars and listed the seven counties that meet that criteria.
• NEW YORK Gov. Andrew CUOMO announced that, as of yesterday,  concessions would be allowed to open with restrictions at state ocean and lakefront beaches. 

Business support:

• COLORADO Gov. Jared POLIS signed legislation authorizing businesses licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on their premises to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption off the licensed premises.

Health care:

• COLORADO Gov. Jared POLIS extended an executive order that temporarily suspends certain statutes and rules to expand the healthcare workforce for hospitals and other inpatient treatment facilities due.
• COLORADO Gov. Jared POLIS extended an executive order temporarily suspending statutes to maintain eligibility for Medicaid and Children’s Basic Health Plan
• KENTUCKY Gov. Andy BESHEAR renewed an executive order that allows pharmacists to dispense emergency 30-day refills on prescriptions. 

PPE/medical equipment:

• MICHIGAN Gov. Gretchen WHITMER announced that a donation of PPE from the Kingdom of Jordan arrived in Michigan. The shipment includes overalls, surgical masks, and goggles. A shipment of N95 masks is expected to follow. 

Worker support:

• COLORADO Gov. Jared POLIS extended an executive order that expedites the processing of unemployment insurance claims for Coloradans.
• NEW MEXICO’s Department of Workforce Solutions announced that it will continue to waive the work search requirements for Unemployment Insurance claimants.

Homeowner/renter/homelessness support:

• COLORADO Gov. Jared POLIS extended and amended an executive order temporarily limiting certain evictions
• COLORADO Gov. Jared POLIS extended an executive order temporarily providing relief to public utility customers affected by COVID-19.
• RHODE ISLAND Gov. Gina RAIMONDO unveiled a $7-million initiative with the United Way of Rhode Island to provide tenants with help paying back rent and securing legal representation, with a goal of reaching resolutions outside of the court and keeping people in their homes. The “Safe Harbor” program is being paid for through the CARES Act.

Other efforts:

• CALIFORNIA Gov. Gavin NEWSOM announced that approximately 8,000 people incarcerated inside California’s prison system will be released by August. The releases will come on a rolling basis, and they’ll include both people who were scheduled to be freed soon as well as people at high risk for serious complications if they contract the virus.
• KENTUCKY Gov. Andy BESHEAR signed an executive order allowing door-to-door solicitation in the commonwealth, provided solicitors comply with Healthy at Work minimum requirements and retail requirements, in addition to wearing face coverings and gloves. 
• PENNSYLVANIA Gov. Tom WOLF signed an executive order authorizing state agencies to conduct administrative proceedings remotely.

Beyond COVID-19 

Racial justice:

• KANSAS Gov. Laura KELLY’s Commission on Racial Equity and Justice met for their first meeting Thursday afternoon. The Commission meeting began with introductory remarks from the governors.

Veteran support:

• KANSAS Gov. Laura KELLY announced the launch of the new KANSASWORKS KanVet website. The new site provides access to State of Kansas veteran-specific resources and benefits on a one-stop, convenient webpage. Resources available to veterans on the site include, but are not limited to employment resources, veteran and family assistance, education resources, and mental health support.

Infrastructure:

• KENTUCKY Gov. Andy BESHEAR announced the approval of two project loans from the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority for wastewater and sewer system improvements in the cities of Bedford and Pineville.

Renewable energy:

• VIRGINIA Gov. Ralph NORTHAM announced that Virginia will invest $14 million from the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust to replace all-diesel cargo handling equipment at the Port of Virginia with zero-emission all-electric equipment, and $20 million to fund the Clean Air Communities Program to electrify government fleets across the Commonwealth.

Other efforts:

• MINNESOTA Gov. Tim WALZ announced that he will convene a special legislative session beginning today. The governor continues to push for legislation on police reform and accountability and has asked the Legislature to join his effort to build a stronger, more equitable economy by passing a robust bonding bill.

Stay safe everyone and wash your hands! See you on Wednesday!