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Govs On Deck – November 11, 2021

Govs on Deck

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Welcome to Monday and 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.


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:


Vaccine distribution:


  • COLORADO Gov. Jared POLIS amended and extended an executive order that expands the healthcare workforce in order to administer COVID-19 vaccinations in outpatient settings.
  • COLORADO Gov. Jared POLIS amended an executive order to allocate an additional $48 million to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and local public health agencies for testing, vaccine distribution, and other COVID-19 response activities. 
  • NEW YORK Gov. Andrew CUOMO announced the expansion of the state’s vaccination distribution network to help accelerate the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine to New Yorkers currently eligible under group 1A and begin the vaccination of New Yorkers eligible under group 1B. 
  • OREGON Gov. Kate BROWN activated Oregon National Guard members to support vaccination efforts, beginning with the Salem Health vaccination event at the state fairgrounds. 


Schools and students:


  • MICHIGAN’s Department of Health and Human Services announced new guidance for schools to keep students, staff, and communities safe during the COVID-19 pandemic while providing the in-person instruction that is crucial to learning and development. The state’s goal is to have all Michigan school districts offer an in-person learning option for students no later than March 1, and earlier if possible. 


Business support:


  • ILLINOIS Gov. JB PRITZKER and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced more than $275 million in nearly 9,000 emergency assistance grants have been made to small businesses in over 600 cities and towns statewide through the Business Interruption Grants program. Through this historic program – the largest of its kind in the nation – grants have been made available to a wide range of small businesses- with a focus on the industries and communities hardest hit by the COVID-19 crisis, and with the majority of funding going to smaller and minority-owned businesses. 
  • WISCONSIN Gov. Tony EVERS with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue announced almost 55,000 state small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic received approximately $240 million last year through the We’re All In grants program – the largest direct-aid program for small businesses in WEDC history. 


Health care:


  • COLORADO Gov. Jared POLIS amended and extended an executive order temporarily suspending certain statutes and rules to expand healthcare workforces for hospitals and other inpatient treatment facilities due to COVID-19. 
  • COLORADO Gov. Jared POLIS signed an executive order that redirects underutilized resources to nursing facilities and selected Home and Community-Based Services. This redirection of resources will help providers address the impacts of the pandemic, including severe staff shortages and substantial reductions in the use of these services.
  • NEW YORK Gov. Andrew CUOMO announced legislation to expand and improve access to telehealth for all as part of the 2021 State of the State. 


Housing support:


  • NEW YORK Gov. Andrew CUOMO, as part of his State of the State, announced he will propose legislation codifying and extending the moratorium on COVID-related commercial evictions. The governor will also propose legislation to codify protections the state has provided tenants by executive order.
  • NEW YORK Gov. Andrew CUOMO announced a proposal to prohibit utility disconnections in regions that are under a state of emergency as part of the 2021 State of the State.  


State budgets:


  • CALIFORNIA Gov. Gavin NEWSOM submitted his 2021-22 State Budget proposal to the legislature – a $227.2 billion fiscal blueprint that provides funding for immediate COVID-19 response and relief efforts where Californians need it most while making investments for an equitable, inclusive, and broad-based economic recovery. The budget prioritizes funding to get all Californians vaccinated, provides direct relief to Californians facing job loss and eviction, doubles down on supports to small businesses, and invests in safety and equity for all students.
  • MAINE Gov. Janet MILLS submitted to the legislature a supplemental budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2021 and a biennial budget proposal for Fiscal Years 2022-2023 that focus on maintaining vital services and increasing savings without creating new programs. The proposed budgets focus on combating the COVID-19 pandemic by continuing to rebuild the state’s public health infrastructure and protecting essential health care, education, and life-saving services. The proposed budgets do not change Maine tax rates and do not dip into the Budget Stabilization Fund; in fact, they add to the state’s savings. 


Other efforts:


  • KENTUCKY Gov. Andy BESHEAR signed an executive order prohibiting price-gouging, extending a previous order. This order will remain in effect for the duration of the state of emergency.


Beyond COVID-19 


Elections and voting access:


  • NEW YORK Gov. Andrew CUOMO, as part of his State of the State,announced a transformational proposal that continues to expand access to voting and improves procedures by speeding up vote counting and adding additional time for early voting. 


Workforce development:


  • PENNSYLVANIA Gov. Tom WOLF announced that nearly $4.7 million in PAsmart Next Generation Industry Partnership grants were awarded to bolster workforce development across Pennsylvania.


Economic development:


  • PENNSYLVANIA Gov. Tom WOLF announced that F.N.B. Corporation will enter into a joint venture with Pittsburgh Arena Real Estate Development LP and the Buccini/Pollin Group to develop the FNB Financial Center, a 26-story, a 547,888-square-foot office tower in Pittsburgh, which will create 160 new, high-paying jobs. The company has committed to investing more than $220 million into the project.


Other efforts:


  • NEVADA Gov. Steve SISOLAK announced that he made his quarterly State salary donation of $27,218.98 to Nevada’s K-12 public schools, totaling more than $187,000 in contributions since taking office in January 2019. After the disbursements are made, the governor will have donated to more than 100 Title I elementary, middle, and high schools all across the state.
  • WASHINGTON Gov. Jay INSLEE released a statement on actions the state is taking to ensure the safety and security of Washingtonians, legislators, state employees, and the buildings of the Capitol Campus as the legislature is set to convene the 2021 session on Monday.


Stay safe, wear a mask, and wash your hands. See you on Wednesday!