The Weekender (8/30/19)

Welcome to the Democratic Governors Association’s Friday newsletter, The Weekender. It may be a long weekend, but we’re keeping it short. This weekly newsletter keeps you updated on all the gubernatorial campaign news you need to start your weekend. 

Louisiana Gov. Edwards Touts Medicaid Expansion In New Ad 
Gov. John Bel Edwards released a new ad, “Thousands,” touting how Medicaid expansion has benefited thousands of Louisianans and helped them receive the care they need. Gov. Edwards’ decision has benefitted 450,000 Louisianans. 

Parson Blasted For Special “Session For Special Interests,” Gains A Primary Challenger
There are lots of issues Missouri Gov. Mike Parson could have chosen to address in a special session. Maybe Medicaid expansion, which would expand health insurance to cover 230,000 Missourians. Or address gun violence keeping students and parents fearful at night. Instead, Parson decided to call a special session to help used car dealers. Seriously. 
Parson’s decision didn’t go unnoticed. He earned a primary challenger who said, “My approach is going to be more about people and not the suits and the money.”
 

Democratic Governors and Candidates Supporting Teachers, Students As School Year Starts 
Democratic governors and candidates across the country are focused on education as the school year starts. 

• North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper visited educators and discussed his proposal for a substantial teacher pay raise that Republican legislators are currently blocking.
• Colorado Gov. Jared Polis visited classrooms touting the free, full-day kindergarten he signed into law earlier in the year. 
• Kentucky gubernatorial nominee Andy Beshear visited Pikeville to discuss how high schools are preparing students for the jobs of the future. 

$1 billion – Amount of new funding added to Oregon public schools, thanks to Gov. Kate Brown signing the Student Success Act. 
40 – Percentage increase in income for Vermont millionaires since 2016. Gov. Phil Scott has done his part to widen the wealth gap between millionaires and working Vermonters, slashing the estate tax and proposing cuts to capital gains taxes. 
2 – Number of times this year Mississippi Republican gubernatorial nominee Tate Reeves’ precinct voted against him. First in the primary three weeks ago and second in the runoff election Tuesday.



“Without the Affordable Care Act, the cost of individuals plans will skyrocket. That’s what will happen if these court cases are successful. And there will be no funds forthcoming from the federal government to create a re-insurance plan for Pennsylvanians.”
-Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf speaking at a “Protect Our Care” rally in Harrisburg. Wolf was joined by Sen. Casey to highlight how Trump’s lawsuit to strip away protections for pre-existing conditions will hurt Pennsylvanians. 

“If you have time to create GIFs, you should have time to create a real budget solution.” 
Which governor said it? Send your answer to press@dga.net and we’ll reveal the answer in the next Weekender! 
If you guessed Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin last week, you were right! Last week, Bevin insulted the 40 percent of voters who supported State Rep. Goforth in the primary. Bevin demeans teachers, his hand-picked lieutenant governor, and school children. It’s no wonder he’s the most unpopular governor in the country.