Govs On Deck – September 14, 2020

Govs on Deck

Happy Monday and welcome to another 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@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.


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:


Federal action:


  • NEVADA Gov. Steve SISOLAK called President Trump’s decision to host an indoor rally in Henderson, NV “shameful, dangerous and irresponsible.” The rally violated the state’s ban on gatherings of 50 people or more.
  • NEVADA Gov. Steve SISOLAK  issued a statement in response to the White House denying the State’s request to have the federal government fully fund the Nevada National Guard’s COVID-19 response efforts through the end of the year, saying “There is no rational justification for providing some states full federal funding for the Guard and denying a state like Nevada, which is still facing an increased transmission risk in our largest counties and devastating economic impacts as a result of this pandemic.”


Emergency declarations:


  • KANSAS Gov. Laura KELLY’s emergency declaration was extended by the State Finance Council, but only after language was added clarifying that the governor doesn’t intend to use her authority to close businesses as she did in the spring.
  • MINNESOTA Gov. Tim WALZ signed an executive order extending the COVID-19 peacetime emergency.


Reopening efforts:


  • ILLINOIS’ Department of Public Health reported 30 counties in Illinois are considered to be at a warning level for COVID-19.
  • OREGON Gov. Kate BROWN announced that Jackson and Jefferson Counties have succeeded in reducing the spread of COVID-19 sufficiently enough to be removed from the County Watch List. In addition, the governor announced that Umatilla County has met the prerequisites to move to Phase 2, effectively immediately.


Face coverings:


  • COLORADO Gov. Jared POLIS extended his executive order directing Coloradans to wear a face mask.


Business guidance:


  • WASHINGTON Gov. Jay INSLEE announced updated guidance for indoor fitness and training facilities as part of Washington’s Safe Start phased reopening plan.


Business support:


  • MONTANA Gov. Steve BULLOCK announced that the long-running Innovate Montana Symposium will this year pivot to an online video portal intended to help businesses with economic recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic.


Testing and tracing:


  • DELAWARE Gov. John CARNEY announced that the state will shift COVID-19 testing from mobile to fixed sites beginning Monday, September 14, 2020.  The transition to more permanent, fixed testing sites will expand testing opportunities and provide more testing locations across the state.
  • RHODE ISLAND’s comprehensive school testing program is now open and able to provide prompt results to any student, teacher, or staff member at any public or private Pre-K – 12 school throughout the state who needs to be tested for COVID-19.


Worker support:


  • ILLINOIS Gov. JB PRITZKER announced a new $16.6 million investment to expand job opportunities for Illinoisans who have become unemployed as a result of or during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through two new grants received from the U.S. Department of Labor, the State of Illinois will distribute funding to place, train, and hire nearly 1,300 residents for an array of jobs. The grants are focused on leveraging dislocated workers in employment and training to assist with local disaster relief programs and in-demand industries connected to the ongoing crisis.


Other efforts:


  • CONNECTICUT Gov. Ned LAMONT announced that his administration, working in collaboration with Spectra Venue Management services, has reached an agreement with Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC to play its home games this season at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford.


Beyond COVID-19 


Natural disasters:


  • LOUISIANA Gov. John Bel EDWARDS declared a state of emergency ahead of Tropical Storm Sally. 
  • LOUISIANA Gov. John Bel EDWARDS sent a letter to President Trump requesting a Federal Declaration of Emergency in advance of Tropical Storm Sally.
  • LOUISIANA Gov. John Bel EDWARDS announced that FEMA has approved three additional Louisiana parishes for Individual Assistance following Hurricane Laura, bringing the total number of parishes where residents are eligible for aid to 21. 
  • WASHINGTON Gov. Jay INSLEE issued a proclamation suspending the truck driver hour limitations for drivers who are delivering fire retardant. 


Federal requests:


  • MONTANA Gov. Steve BULLOCK called on U.S. Senator Daines and Congressman Gianforte to collaborate in passing the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act.


Other efforts:


  • CALIFORNIA Gov. Gavin NEWSOM signed legislation that eliminates barriers that prevent former inmate fire crews from pursuing a career as a firefighter once they served their time. Authored by Assemblymember Eloise Gomez Reyes, the bill allows nonviolent offenders who have fought fires as members of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s fire camps to have their records expunged, paving the way for individuals leaving fire camps to seek meaningful employment and further training.
  • NEW YORK Gov. Andrew CUOMO signed legislation reconstituting the September 11 Workers Protection Task Force. Formed in 2005, the Task Force was created to obtain data regarding adverse health effects on workers who participated in rescue, recovery, and response at the World Trade Center, identify limitations of existing programs for disabilities of such workers and make recommendations to improve access and scope of these programs.


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