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Govs On Deck – August 18, 2020

Govs on Deck

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Happy Tuesday and happy Convention week! Welcome to another edition of “Govs on Deck!” We’re back to being daily this week so get excited. 


As always, 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 us know what other info/what other formats you’d like to see for these updates.


DNC Convention – #DemGovs schedule: 


  • Wednesday, August 19th
    • 6:45 – 7:15 PM ET
      • DGA Virtual Grassroots Fundraiser featuring MICHIGAN Gov. Gretchen WHITMER and OREGON Gov. Kate BROWN. Reserve your spot HERE. Press should RSVP to amestoy@dga.net.  
    • 7:30 – 8:30 PM ET
      • Bold Leadership: Women Governors Leading the States featuring KANSAS Gov. Laura KELLY, MAINE Gov. Janet MILLS, MICHIGAN Gov. Gretchen WHITMER, OREGON Gov. Kate BROWN, NEW MEXICO Gov. Michelle LUJAN GRISHAM and RHODE ISLAND Gov. Gina RAIMONDO. Watch HERE. 
    • Convention programming: 9:00 – 10:00 PM ET
      • WISCONSIN Gov. Tony EVERS to address the 2020 Democratic National Convention. Watch HERE.
      • NEW MEXICO Gov. Michelle LUJAN GRISHAM to address the 2020 Democratic National Convention. Watch HERE.   
  • Thursday, August 20th
    • 7:00 – 8:00 PM ET
    • Convention programming: 9:00 – 10:00 PM ET
      • CALIFORNIA Gov. Gavin NEWSOM to address the 2020 Democratic National Convention. Watch HERE.


What They’re Saying:


  • NEW YORK Gov. Andrew CUOMO and MICHIGAN Gov. Gretchen WHITMER received high praise following their addresses to the 2020 Democratic National Convention.


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:


Legal actions:


  • LOUISIANA Gov. John Bel EDWARDS released the following statement praising the decision of Judge Martin L.C. Feldman in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana to uphold restrictions on bars in the state as part of its efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Louisiana. 


Elections:


  • VIRGINIA Gov. Ralph NORTHAM announced proposals to expand access to voting for the November 3rd General Election. The governor is putting forward three proposals: $2 million for prepaid return postage on all absentee ballots sent out for the November 3rd General Election; language expressly permitting localities to use drop boxes or implement drop off locations for Virginians who choose to vote absentee, under security standards to be set by the Virginia Department of Elections; and ensuring Virginians’ voting rights are protected by allowing them to fix an error on their absentee ballot. Currently, Virginians who make an error are not able to fix that error and therefore their ballot may be discarded. Many Virginians will be voting absentee for the first time this November, and this language will help ensure Virginians’ votes are counted.


Business guidance:


  • NEW YORK Gov. Andrew CUOMO announced that gyms and fitness centers can reopen in New York starting August 24. Facilities that reopen will be subject to rigorous health and safety standards and all gyms and fitness centers will be able to open by September 2.
  • OREGON’s OSHA is proposing a temporary rule that would combat the spread of coronavirus in all workplaces by requiring employers to implement risk-reducing measures. Those measures include social distancing, barriers, face coverings, cleanings, and information sharing. In addition to requirements that would apply to all workplaces, the rule encompasses further requirements for certain job duties involving close-in work activities, as well as health care activities involving direct patient care.


Health care:


  • COLORADO Gov. Jared POLIS extended an executive order suspending certain statutes to increase the Medicaid home health workforce and to eliminate cost sharing for COVID-19 testing and treatment for Medicaid enrollees.


Testing/contact tracing:


  • KENTUCKY Gov. Andy BESHEAR announced that Kentucky’s Department for Public Health is partnering with the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare ​to begin free drive-up COVID-19 testing for the community. Officials said the testing will begin Aug. 24 at two sites. 


Worker support:


  • PENNSYLVANIA Gov. Tom WOLF announced the recipients of $50 million in grants to help employers provide hazard pay to employees in life-sustaining industries during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program, announced last month, was created to keep front-line employees working in vital industry sectors across Pennsylvania.


Renter/homeowner support:


  • ILLINOIS Gov. JB PRITZKER announced the Illinois Housing Development Authority has extended the deadline for Illinois renters to apply for aid by one week to 12:00 p.m. on August 28th due to those impacted by the storms last Monday. In addition, landlords will be given an additional two days, through August 30th, to complete their portion of the application. The Emergency Rental Assistance program provides $5,000 to eligible tenants who have seen their household income decline as a result of the COVID-19.


Travel restrictions: 


  • ILLINOIS’ Department of Public Health launched its new coronavirus disease travel map to help inform residents of potential risks associated with traveling during the pandemic.  The map indicates countries and U.S. states with increased risk of COVID-19 based on case rates.
  • KANSAS Gov. Laura KELLY signed an executive order temporarily prohibiting initiating any mortgage foreclosure or judicial proceedings, and any commercial or residential eviction efforts or judicial proceedings due to financial hardship resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic until September 15, 2020.


Relief funds:


  • KENTUCKY Gov. Andy BESHEAR announced 23 Western Kentucky governments were approved for $14,445,419 in reimbursements from the CARES Act for local governments with expenses related to COVID-19.


Other efforts:


  • KANSAS Gov. Laura KELLY signed an executive order extending temporary relief for motor carriers from certain rules and regulations until rescinded, until September 14, 2020, or until the statewide State of Disaster Emergency expires, whichever is earlier. 


Beyond COVID-19 


Wildfires:


  • CALIFORNIA Gov. Gavin NEWSOM signed an emergency proclamation that temporarily allows some energy users and utilities to use backup energy sources to relieve pressure on the grid during peak times during the energy emergency.
  • CALIFORNIA Gov. Gavin NEWSOM convened an all-hands meeting with California Independent System Operator, the California Public Utilities Commission, the California Energy Commission, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and senior administration officials as the state and the entire West Coast anticipates serious power shortages as the heat wave intensifies over the coming week. Following the meeting, the governor sent a letter to CAISO, the CPUC and CEC demanding an investigation into the service disruptions that occurred over the weekend and the energy agencies’ failure to predict and mitigate them.
  • CALIFORNIA Gov. Gavin NEWSOM announced the state secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from FEMA to help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppress the River Fire burning in Monterey County.


Economic development:


  • LOUISIANA Gov. John Bel EDWARDS announced that Cajun Traditions Food Processors will develop a new meat processing and packaging facility in Church Point, Louisiana. 


Infrastructure:


  • PENNSYLVANIA Gov. Tom WOLF announced 276 new PA Small Water and Sewer Program project approvals through the Commonwealth Financing Authority) to protect and improve municipalities’ water systems.


Clean energy:


  • VIRGINIA Gov. Ralph NORTHAM celebrated Virginia’s once-in-a-generation progress on clean energy by ceremonially signing historic legislation that accelerates the Commonwealth’s transition to a carbon-free future. The governor signed the Virginia Clean Economy Act, which establishes bold energy efficiency standards and provides a pathway for new investments in solar, onshore wind, offshore wind, and energy storage. Additional legislation signed by the Governor advances shared solar and energy storage programs, and dramatically transforms the rooftop solar market.


Law enforcement:


  • NEW YORK Gov. Andrew CUOMO announced new guidance for the New York State Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative, which was established by the Governor’s Executive Order in June. The guidance offers a framework and topics for consideration by local police departments, elected officials and citizens as they develop their local plans for reform. Per the governor’s executive order, every locality must adopt a plan for reform by April 1, 2021 to be eligible for future state funding. The governor also issued a letter to 500 jurisdictions with police departments in New York State. 


Other efforts:


  • CALIFORNIA First Partner Siebel NEWSOM will host the virtual event “California Women Inspire: Celebrating Women’s Equality in the Golden State” via a YouTube webcast at 5 p.m. PT today.
  • DELAWARE Gov. John CARNEY and First Lady Tracey Quillen CARNEY joined American icon Dolly Parton to announce the statewide expansion of her namesake Imagination Library book gifting program and to encourage parents of young children across Delaware to participate.


Stay safe everyone, wear a mask, and wash your hands! See you tomorrow!