Govs On Deck – February 12, 2021

Roses are red, violets are blue, Dem govs have won in both color states, and we think you all are winners too. Hello? Why yes, Hallmark, I am available. Anyways, happy Friday and welcome to today’s edition of “Govs on Deck!” As a reminder, your favorite newsletter comes out on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. 

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, 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.

Programming note: We are off on Monday. We will see you all back here next Wednesday!

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:

What we’re talking about:

• NEW MEXICO Gov. Michelle LUJAN GRISHAM and NEW YORK Gov. Andrew CUOMO will be in D.C. today, at the invitation of President Joe Biden, to take part in a bipartisan meeting of governors and mayors to discuss the president’s COVID-19 relief package, the American Rescue Plan.

Vaccine distribution:

• CONNECTICUT’s Department of Public Health released data showing how vaccines in Connecticut have been administered throughout the state across race and ethnicity as of February 3 and pointed to several other steps being taken to address disparities in vaccine administration.
• ILLINOIS Gov. JB PRITZKER’s administration announced the state is deploying three Disaster Survivor Assistance teams throughout the state to serve as community outreach specialists at county-run COVID-19 vaccination sites. These teams are federal resources, requested by the State of Illinois. 
• KENTUCKY Gov. Andy BESHEAR announced six new regional vaccination sites across the commonwealth and said vaccines will now also be available at mobile clinics, 10 Kroger stores, 15 Walmart stores, and 125 pharmacies, including Walgreens and Good Neighbor independent pharmacies. In total, there are more than 150 vaccination sites in Kentucky, in addition to local health department vaccination programs.
• MINNESOTA Gov. Tim WALZ and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan applauded the upcoming launch of President Biden’s Community Health Centers Vaccination Program, which will support the Walz-Flanagan Administration’s existing efforts to empower Minnesota’s Federally Qualified Community Health Centers by shipping additional vaccines directly to these centers. 
• NORTH CAROLINA Gov. Roy COOPER and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. outlined a timeline for Group 3 frontline workers becoming eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine, beginning with anyone working in child care or in PreK – 12 schools on February 24.
• VIRGINIA Gov. Ralph NORTHAM, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, and Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser sent a letter to the leaders of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Federal Emergency Management Agency requesting increased federal support in administering the COVID-19 vaccines to essential federal employees.

Mitigation efforts:

• LOUISIANA Gov. John Bel EDWARDS signed a proclamation extending Louisiana’s modified Phase 2 guidelines, which include sensible restrictions meant to slow the spread of COVID-19 like a statewide mask mandate, for another 21 days. The new order is set to expire on March 3, 2021.

Reopening efforts:

• NEW MEXICO announced a change in its mandatory self-quarantine requirements for visitors into the state. The state will no longer require self-quarantine for visitors or New Mexicans arriving into the state from “high-risk” states.
• NEW YORK Gov. Andrew CUOMO announced that given the continued decline in hospitalization and infection rates throughout New York, closing times for restaurants and bars will be extended from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. statewide beginning Sunday, February 14. 
• NEW YORK Gov. Andrew CUOMO announced that sports and entertainment events in major stadiums and arenas with a capacity of 10,000 or more people can re-open with limited spectators beginning February 23.
• OREGON Gov. Kate BROWN announced that the Oregon Health Authority will be revising its guidance for outdoor sports, as well as the exemption for college athletics. Beginning this week, outdoor contact sports will be permitted to resume with health and safety protocols in place based on county risk level. In Lower Risk and Moderate Risk counties, practices and games for outdoor contact sports, including high school football, can resume following health and safety guidance to be issued by the Oregon Health Authority.
• WASHINGTON Gov. Jay INSLEE announced that five new regions have met the metric requirements to progress to Phase 2 of the Healthy Washington reopening plan, starting this weekend. 

Business support:

• NEVADA Gov. Steve SISOLAK signed Assembly Bill 106 into law after unanimous passage in the Nevada legislature. AB 106 sets aside $50-million to support small businesses through the ‘Pandemic Emergency Technical Support’ or PETS program. The new law would bring total funding for the program to more than $100 million, making it the largest small business assistance program in Nevada history.

Housing support:

• KENTUCKY Gov. Andy BESHEAR relaunched the Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund with an additional $264 million to keep Kentuckians safe and housed throughout the pandemic.

Other efforts:

• KANSAS Gov. Laura KELLY applauded the recent announcement from Eurofins Viracor of its new 110,000-square-foot, all-purpose facility in Lenexa. Eurofins Viracor, Inc. is a provider of clinical specialty laboratory results to medical providers, transplant teams, and biopharmaceutical companies that also recently began providing COVID-19 testing. 
• VIRGINIA Gov. Ralph NORTHAM announced that Valley Guard Supply LLC will invest $1 million to establish a personal protective equipment manufacturing facility in the City of Harrisonburg. 

Beyond COVID-19 

Health care:

• NEW MEXICO Gov. Michelle LUJAN GRISHAM issued a statement following the state Senate’s passage of a bill that will repeal a 1969 state statute criminalizing abortion calling it a powerful bill that “affirms a woman’s self-evident autonomy over her own body.”
• NEW YORK Gov. Andrew CUOMO directed the Department of Financial Services to ensure that insurers begin covering fertility services immediately for same-sex couples who wish to start a family. 
• NORTH CAROLINA Gov. Roy COOPER recognized and honored North Carolina’s African American leaders and organizations in health and medicine for their contributions to heal and care for their communities.

Mental health:

• MINNESOTA Gov. Tim WALZ announced that Minnesota callers seeking support through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline will now receive fast, localized support thanks to the opening of four new call centers in Minnesota.

Infrastructure:

• NEW YORK Gov. Andrew CUOMO announced the availability of $87 million in state and federal funding for rail and port projects that will enhance New York State’s position as a global destination for commerce. 

Community development:

• KANSAS Gov. Laura KELLY announced 32 rural Kansas communities will receive grant awards to assist with community development projects. In all, these communities across Kansas will share a total of $13,864,149 in federal grants.
• VIRGINIA Gov. Ralph NORTHAM announced more than $3.8 million in Community Development Block Grants for the counties of Montgomery, Scott, and Southampton, the towns of Appomattox and Independence, and the city of Norton. The funding will support projects that rehabilitate housing, improve water and sewer infrastructure, and facilitate COVID-19 recovery and response efforts, benefitting more than 1,400 low- to moderate-income Virginians throughout the six communities.

Criminal justice reform:

• NEW JERSEY Gov. Phil MURPHY joined Lt. Gov Oliver, Former Chief Justice Deborah Poritz, and President of the New Jersey Chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives Jiles Ship to call for urgent action to eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug and property offenses.

Economic development:

• PENNSYLVANIA Gov. Tom WOLF announced that Hall Industries will streamline operations in western Pennsylvania into a new facility in Mercer County, creating 57 jobs.
• VIRGINIA Gov. Ralph NORTHAM announced that Babylon Micro-Farms will invest $140,000 to expand operations and relocate to the City of Richmond. The project will create 24 new jobs. 

Workforce development:

• PENNSYLVANIA Gov. Tom WOLF announced that the Pennsylvania State University Behrend in Erie County was approved for $200,000 in funding through Pennsylvania’s Manufacturing Training-to-Career program, a program that helps companies identify and train a skilled workforce through targeted programs and services.

Other efforts:

• ILLINOIS’ Department of Transportation announced it will provide $12.5 million to the Illinois State Police for the purchase and installation of automated license plate readers and software to aid in the investigation of Cook County expressway shootings. 
• NEW YORK Gov. Andrew CUOMO announced more than $29 million in grant funding has been awarded to Chenango, Putnam, St. Lawrence, Ulster, and Wyoming Counties to improve local emergency communication.

Stay safe, eat some heart shaped food, wear a mask, and wash your hands. Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone, and happy birthday, Mom! See you all on Wednesday.