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Govs On Deck – October 21, 2019

Govs on Deck

October 21st, 2019

Good Monday afternoon! Welcome to this week’s edition of “Govs on Deck” – the weekly tip sheet dedicated to keeping you informed about what is happening in Democratic governors’ offices around the country.
Questions or suggestions? Send me a note at amestoy@dga.net. You can find us all on Twitter too – @A_Tall_Turner, @CEAmestoy, and @MichBeyer.
Coming up this week:

  • This morning, WISCONSIN Gov. Tony EVERS signed an executive order calling the state legislature to meet in a special session on November 7th to address gun violence in the state.
  • Today, NORTH CAROLINA Gov. Roy COOPER will discuss the need for a significant teacher pay raise and school construction bond during a tour of Dixon Elementary School.
  • On Wednesday, MAINE Gov. Janet MILLS will sign an executive order establishing the Elder Justice Coordinating Partnership to help improve efforts to prevent and respond to elder abuse in the state.
  • RHODE ISLAND Gov. Gina RAIMONDO will speak at the Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit on Wednesday here in DC. The Summit is being held at the National Portrait Gallery.
  • RHODE ISLAND Gov. Gina RAIMONDO will host CONNECTICUT Gov. Ned LAMONT and Massachusetts Charlie Baker at Rhode Island College on Thursday to talk about how the states can work together on regional issues.
  • On Thursday, COLORADO Gov. Jared POLIS will speak at the 2019 Colorado School Safety Summit.
  • MAINE Gov. Janet MILLS on Friday will help unveil a new electric vehicle charging station, which is apart of the administration’s effort to boost EV usage in Maine.

How ‘bout Dem govs: protecting families in need 
Dem govs get it done.
Starting November 1st, it will be easier for MICHIGAN families in need to get assistance thanks to Gov. Gretchen WHITMER.  Whitmer’s Department of Health and Human Services is increasing the number of assets somebody can have to qualify for food, cash, and emergency assistance. The change will stop penalizing families for saving money they may need for other things.
Gov. Whitmer’s actions come as the Trump administration aims to limit eligibility for federal food assistance programs, including cutting off automatic access to free lunch for one million students.
Some news from this past week:

  • Environment
    • MAINE Gov. Janet MILLS delivered remarks at the Northeast Clean Energy Council where she touted the state’s efforts to embrace renewable energy opportunities.
    • VIRGINIA Gov. Ralph NORTHAM announced the largest contract that any state has negotiated to buy renewable energy to power state government. This historic state contract will ensure that by 2022, 30 percent of the electricity consumed by state agencies and institutions in Virginia comes from renewable sources
  • Health care
    • MINNESOTA Gov. Tim WALZ and Republican state lawmakers agreed to keep working together to find a path forward to help Minnesotans afford insulin.
  • Government services
    • COLORADO Gov. Jared POLIS announced that the state’s Office of Information Technology will create a new agency made up of designers and engineers tasked with building “user-centered” projects that improve the delivery of government services.

Name that governor:
This governor’s first job was at age 13 as a caddie at the local country club
Think you know? Shoot me your answer at amestoy@dga.net.
It was KANSAS Gov. Laura KELLY who had big baseball dreams. She was the answer to last week’s question: Growing up, this governor had dreams of replacing Mickey Mantle as center fielder for the New York Yankees
Have a great week and go Nats!!