Govs On Deck – June 10, 2019

June 10th, 2019

Good Monday morning and 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.
Coming up this week:

• On Tuesday, NORTH CAROLINA Gov. Roy COOPER  will update the state on progress made fighting the opioid crisis since his administration launched the Opioid Action Plan in 2017. The update will be given at the State Opioid Summit where he and other leaders will share ideas about local, state, and national efforts, innovative policies, prevention strategies, harm reduction initiatives, and work with justice-involved people.
• NEVADA Gov. Steve SISOLAK is expected to sign AB 291 into law – a comprehensive gun safety measure that would ban bump stocks – like what the Las Vegas shooter used – require more responsible firearm storage, bolster school safety, and enact extreme risk laws.
• In the OREGON legislature, HB 2020, a bill that will make Oregon the second state in the country to enact an economy-wide cap-and-invest program, is expected to move forward. Gov. Kate BROWN  is a driver of the legislation and plans to sign it into law upon passage.
• Also happening in OREGON: Gov. Kate BROWN is expected to sign SB 320, a measure to maintain Daylight Saving Time year round in most of the state. However, the bill only takes effect if California and Washington adopt a similar measure, and then would require Congressional approval.
• Gov. Roy COOPER and Gov. Tony EVERS are continuing their respective pushes to expand Medicaid in NORTH CAROLINA and WISCONSIN despite the push back from GOP-controlled state legislatures.

Some news from this past week:

• Raises for teachers:
  • LOUISIANA Gov. John Bel EDWARDS scored a legislative victory after House GOP leaders approved a $30 billion budget that includes the first significant statewide teacher pay raise in a decade.
  • NEVADA Gov. Steve SISOLAK fulfilled a key campaign promise after the final state budget included a pay raise for Nevada’s educators.
• LGBTQ:
  • MICHIGAN Gov. Gretchen WHITMER introduced legislation to amend Michigan’s civil rights law to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
  • WISCONSIN Gov. Tony EVERS ordered a gay pride flag to be flown over the Wisconsin state Capitol for the first time.
  • NORTH CAROLINA Gov. Roy COOPER has proclaimed June as LGBTQ Pride Month.
• Gun safety reform:
  • CONNECTICUT Gov. Ned LAMONT signed legislation to ban “ghost guns” and strengthen statutes regarding the safe storage of firearms in motor vehicles.
• Elder abuse:
  • MINNESOTA Gov. Tim WALZ signed a piece of historic legislation aimed at preventing elder abuse. The law requires senior living facilities to be licensed, creates a resident’s bill of rights, and allows residents and their families to install cameras in living spaces.
• Health care:
  • NEW MEXICO Gov. Michelle LUJAN GRISHAM praised the addition of several new qualifying conditions, including opioid use disorder, to enrollment in the state Medical Cannabis Program.
• Labor:
  • WASHINGTON Gov. Jay INSLEE’s administration released a proposal that phases in a higher income threshold for overtime exemption. An estimated 250,000 workers could benefit once it is completely phased in.

Birthdays:
Happy birthday to Gov. Roy COOPER! (June 13th)
Name that governor:
This governor featured a photo with the “Duck of Justice” in an email update from the campaign trail…
Think you know? Shoot me your answer at amestoy@dga.net.
Last week’s winner is Madelaine Pisani (National Journal) who correctly identified Gov. Steve SISOLAK as the answer to this question:
Before ever serving in public office, this governor was a “corner man” for a now-World Boxing Hall of Fame trainer during his early days as a boxer…
The boxer? Freddie Roach.
Have a great week!