The Weekender (7/3/20)
Welcome to the Democratic Governors Association’s Friday newsletter, The Weekender.
Let’s get started.
Indiana: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dr. Woody Myers called for the creation of a special task force to stabilize the housing market in Indiana as the state recovers from the economic fallout of COVID-19. Dr. Myers’ plan would extend the state’s moratorium on evictions, provide more support to low-income communities, and equitably distribute funding from the CARES Act to Hoosiers in need. Meanwhile, GOP Gov. Eric Holcomb announced a rental assistance program requiring the consent of a renter’s landlord before they can receive help. Dr. Myers responded, “Governor Holcomb may as well have signed their eviction orders himself.”
North Carolina: GOP gubernatorial candidate Lt. Gov Dan Forest announced he’s planning to sue Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper for his COVID-19 executive orders, even though the majority of North Carolinians stand with Gov. Cooper. Forest even lost the support of his fellow Republicans on the Council of State – they refused to sign on to the lawsuit. Despite being called out by the News & Observer Editorial Board for trying a “Hail Mary” in an effort to save his flailing campaign, Forest still claims “there’s nothing politically expedient” about his actions.
Gov. Mike Parson Remains Opposed to Medicaid Expansion Even Though It Could Assist in State’s Economic Recovery
Even in the midst of a pandemic, GOP Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has been unwavering in his opposition to Medicaid expansion. Parson has ignored countless analyses showing Medicaid expansion benefits rural hospitals – extremely troubling considering Missouri is fifth in the nation for rural hospital closures.
The Kansas City Business Journal published yet another report from health care professionals outlining the benefits of Medicaid expansion. The article illustrates how Medicaid expansion could help Missouri recover from the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, including the creation of more than 26,000 jobs statewide. Another great benefit of Medicaid expansion? 90 percent of the costs are paid for by the federal government – so Parson’s “we can’t afford it” excuse is null and void.
Even Parson’s friends disagree with him – the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, a “key Parson ally,” endorsed Medicaid expansion, saying “Let’s not miss this chance to bolster our economy during this recovery while expanding access to health care for our fellow Missourians.”
Despite all the evidence that Medicaid expansion is good for Missourians’ health and finances, Parson is still playing political games. Recently, he moved the date of a Medicaid expansion ballot question to the state’s lower-turnout August primary with the hope the initiative will fail.
Every State, Every Vote: New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Ensures Access to Safe and Secure Elections Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
Democratic New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed legislation to expand access to vote-by-mail and mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the general election. The new law allows county clerks to automatically mail applications for absentee ballots to each voter in their county.
Additionally, the bill requires poll workers to wear PPE on Election Day and ensures polling places will not be closed in New Mexico’s pueblos and tribes without written consent from the nation. If needed, the Secretary of Health and Secretary of State have the flexibility to establish additional provisions to adapt to changing public health concerns.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear on CNN’s New Day, thanking Kentuckians for their sacrifices during COVID-19, discussing his concerns with hotspots across the country, and asking President Trump to wear a mask.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on NBC’s Meet the Press, explaining how the White House left states to fight the pandemic on their own.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on CBS’s Face the Nation, encouraging all Americans to get on the mask bandwagon: “100 percent masking means 100 percent opening up.”
“Remember—my mask protects you, and your mask protects me. We’re all in this together.”
- Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly on announcing her statewide mask requirement in public spaces.
“We will not be social distancing.”
Who said it? Send your answer to press@dga.net and we’ll reveal the answer in the next Weekender! If you guessed GOP Florida Gov. Ron Desantis last week, you were right! Even as cases of COVID-19 in Florida were rapidly increasing, Desantis told reporters a bar would only lose their liquor license if it was like “dance party USA.”