Govs On Deck – June 24, 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:

• Today, NEW JERSEY Gov. Phil MURPHY will visit the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) to tout his vision for reformed corporate tax incentives and the need for investments in startups, small businesses, co-working spaces, and incubators to help build a 21st-century economy.
• In MAINE, Gov. Janet MILLS will sign a series of legislation aimed at combating climate change including bills to establish the Maine Climate Council, to increase Maine’s Renewable Portfolio Standard from 40 to 80 percent by 2030, and to institute new solar incentive programs.
• MAINE Gov. Janet MILLS will also sign a package of prescription drug reform bills into law.
• MICHIGAN Gov. Gretchen WHITMER today will visit Grand Rapids today to inspect a crumbling bridge as part of her budget tour highlighting her plan for fixing the state’s roads and bridges.
• On Tuesday, MICHIGAN Gov. Gretchen WHITMER will speak at another teacher rally at the state capitol to advocate for her budget which includes the largest investment in public school operations in a generation of students.
• Things continue to evolve in OREGON where Gov. Kate BROWN has asked state police to retrieve GOP legislators who left the state to prevent a vote on a cap-and-invest program.

2020 topic of the week: Paid Leave
Dem govs get it done.
When 20 of the Democrats 2020 contenders take the debate stage this week, plans for how to expand paid leave will be a hot topic of discussion. Lucky for them, seven Democratic governors have already gotten started.

• NEVADA Gov. Steve SISOLAK signed SB312 which requires employers with at least 50 employees to allow workers to earn paid leave.
• NEW JERSEY Gov. Phil MURPHY signed A3975 which expands the state’s 10-year-old family leave program by doubling the amount of time workers can take.
• MAINE Gov. Janet MILLS signed LD369 which requires companies with 10 or more employees to provide an hour of paid leave for every 40 hours worked.
• NORTH CAROLINA Gov. Roy COOPER signed an executive order that gives state employees eight weeks of paid parental leave after giving birth or four weeks of paid parental leave after a partner gives birth or to bond with a child in the event of adoption, foster care or other legal placement.
• NEW MEXICO Gov. Michelle LUJAN GRISHAM signed SB123 which provides private employees and public employees who have accrued paid sick leave with the opportunity to use that leave for family caregiving.
• LOUISIANA Gov. John Bel EDWARDS signed HB625 which expands public school maternity leave for teachers to include adoption as well.
• CONNECTICUT Gov. Ned LAMONT is expected to sign SB1 which will be one of the most generous paid leave policies in the country.

Some news from this past week:

• Medicaid expansion
  • MAINE Gov. Janet MILLS signed a two year budget into law that cements Medicaid expansion in the state.
  • NORTH CAROLINA Gov. Roy COOPER called for Medicaid expansion to be part of state budget talks. The North Carolina Democratic Party is kicking off their “Medicaid Expansion Saves Lives” statewide tour this week to call out Republican legislators for playing politics with North Carolinians’ lives.
  • WISCONSIN Gov. Tony EVERS continues to fight for the inclusion of a Medicaid expansion in the state budget.
• Climate change
  • MAINE Gov. Janet MILLS signed legislation approving the contract for a first-of-its-kind, floating offshore wind pilot. Mills also announced two collaborative efforts to advance wind energy research.
  • HAWAI’I Gov. David IGE joined county mayors from around the state at a roundtable to discuss statewide efforts to combat climate change.
• Health care
  • WISCONSIN Gov. Tony EVERS vetoed four bills that would restrict access to abortion.
  • RHODE ISLAND Gov. Gina RAIMONDO signed a bill that codifies abortion protections into state law.

Name that governor:
This governor led his high school football team to its first state championship…
Think you know? Shoot me your answer at amestoy@dga.net.
Last week’s winner is Zach Cohen (National Journal) who correctly identified Gov. Phil MURPHY as the answer to this question:
Selling textbooks was this governor’s first job after graduating college…
Have a great week!