Govs On Deck – May 28, 2020

Good Thursday afternoon and welcome to today’s edition of “Govs on Deck.” We’re still here, we’re still daily, and we hope you are all still safe and healthy.
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 to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Want more examples? Send me an email and I can help you track down answers.
Federal requests:

• NEW YORK Gov. Andrew CUOMO called on the U.S. Senate to pass a coronavirus relief bill that helps all Americans and provides unrestricted fiscal support for states. The governor also reiterated his call for the U.S. Senate to repeal the SALT limitations.
• NEW YORK Gov. Andrew CUOMO renewed his call for Congress to pass the ‘Americans First Law’ – legislation first proposed by the governor on May 10th – to help prevent corporate bailouts following the COVID-19 pandemic.
• ILLINOIS’ Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced a new $7.3 million investment from the U.S. Small Business Administration for the Illinois Small Business Development Center program – a statewide network focused solely on supporting Illinois businesses and entrepreneurs in starting, growing and maintaining their businesses at no cost.

Reopening efforts:

• HAWAII Gov. David IGE approved several proposals from mayors across the state to safely reopen more businesses and operations, under guidelines that will ensure the safety of employees and customers.
• MINNESOTA Gov. Tim WALZ signed an executive order which implements Phase II of the Stay Safe MN Plan. Phase II includes a cautious, strategic turn of the dial for outdoor dining at restaurants and bars to start June 1st, with safety measures in place and capacity limits. Personal services like salons and barbershops can also open on June 1st at 25 percent capacity with safety measures in place.
• NEW YORK Gov. Andrew CUOMO announced that Long Island has met all seven metrics to begin phase one of reopening today, joining the Mid-Hudson Valley, Capital Region, Western New York, Central New York, North Country, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, and Mohawk Valley Regions.

Elections:

• RHODE ISLAND’s Board of Elections voted to give voters the option of returning their Presidential Preference Primary mail ballot to designated drop boxes located at each City or Town Hall across the state. Voters may also place their ballot in the Board of Elections drop box.

Public gatherings:

• WASHINGTON Gov. Jay INSLEE announced the state’s plan for restarting religious and faith-based services for Phases 1 and 2 of Washington’s “Safe Start” reopening plan. Religious and faith-based organizations in Phase 1 counties may host up to 100 people for outdoor services. In Phase 2, they can host up to 25% of their capacity or 50 individuals, whichever is less, as well as conduct in-home services of five people. The religious services covered include all worship services, religious study classes, religious ceremonies, religious holiday celebrations, weddings, and funerals.

Schools/students:

• MINNESOTA Gov. Tim WALZ signed legislation addressing COVID-19 impacts to the 2019-2020 school year; adopting forecast article for school budgets; opening up regional library telecommunications aid to be spent on technology and internet access; making permanent students with limited and interrupted formal education to participate until age 22; and removing a set-aside for extended time revenue under compensatory revenue.
• NEW JERSEY’s  Department of Education released guidance regarding commencement ceremonies to honor 2020 graduates during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The guidance outlines three options for K-12 school commencement ceremonies: 1) virtual; 2) drive-through/drive-in; or 3) modified in-person, outdoor ceremonies. Decisions about the most appropriate type of ceremony for each school community will be made locally, in consultation with municipal officials. 

Business guidance:

• MAINE Gov. Janet MILLS announced that she is postponing the full reopening of restaurants for dine-in services in York, Cumberland, and Androscoggin counties. Restaurants in these counties were tentatively scheduled to reopen to dine-in services on June 1st (the start of the state’s Stage 2) but are now restricted to reopening to outside dining service only beginning on that date in addition to continuing to provide take-away and delivery services.
• NEVADA Gov. Steve SISOLAK announced that the state’s casinos will be allowed to resume operations next week as parts of the country begin to reopen amid the coronavirus outbreak.
• PENNSYLVANIA Gov. Tom WOLF issued an order to elaborate on the reopening process for green phase counties and guidance on outdoor dining in yellow counties, dining in green counties, and professional sports in yellow counties.

Business support:

• MINNESOTA Gov. Tim WALZ signed legislation that provides funding for farm safety and mental health; funds grants for meat processors affected by COVID-19; appropriates money to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Lab to help prepare for African Swine Fever; funds grants to aid with origination fees associated with debt restructuring for farmers; and provides financial assistance to food retailers for the purchase of PPE.
• MINNESOTA Gov. Tim WALZ signed legislation aimed at providing flexibility and stability to Minnesota’s horse racing industry in the face of COVID-19.

Health care:

• CONNECTICUT Gov. Ned LAMONT signed an executive order which permits the creation of a temporary nurse aide position to assist health care providers in managing the COVID-19 pandemic and other health-related services during the pandemic.

PPE and medical supplies:

• MICHIGAN Gov. Gretchen WHITMER announced that the Pure Michigan Business Connect program has developed a portal specifically designed to support the PPE needs of Michigan businesses as they start the process of re-opening. Through the free PMBC COVID-19 Procurement Platform, the PMBC team will work to connect those businesses in need of access to PPE with Michigan businesses that have supplier capacity to meet that demand.

Task forces:

• CONNECTICUT Gov. Ned LAMONT announced that members of the Reopen Connecticut Advisory Group’s community committee will hold a roundtable discussion today at 10:00 a.m. regarding how best to balance health and economic outcomes amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Relief funds:

• WISCONSIN Gov. Tony EVERS announced the launch of the “Routes to Recovery: Local Government Aid Grants” program, a $200 million effort aimed at helping local leaders address some of their most urgent and unique COVID-19 recovery needs. 

Other efforts:

• KANSAS Gov. Laura KELLY issued a proclamation calling the state legislature into a special session to extend the state’s emergency declaration and enact appropriate amendments to the Emergency Management Act.

Stay safe everyone and wash your hands!