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CT: New England Governors take action on energy costs
New England’s governors agreed to a mix of regional and state actions to cut persistently high energy costs. Five of the region’s six governors said they will work across the region while each state pursues individual projects. New Hampshire’s Democratic governor, Maggie Hassan, did not attend the Hartford meeting.
MN: Gov. Dayton declares state of emergency in Minnesota over avian flu
The action came as the number of affected turkeys in the nation’s top turkey producing state rose to 2.6 million. Meanwhile, officials awaited confirmation that the first flock of chickens in Minnesota was infected.
MD: Maryland’s Gov. Hogan will sign police body camera bill
Republican Gov. Larry Hogan said he plans to sign a bill that will establish policy for Maryland police officers to wear body cameras. The policy will lay out when recording is necessary, access to the recordings and how the data are stored.
OR: Bill for online gun checks in Oregon nears final vote
A bill that would require background checks for private gun sales in Oregon is headed to a final vote on the House floor. Under the bill, nearly all gun sales and transfers between people who aren’t closely related would have to take place in front of a licensed gun dealer, who for a fee would run a background check through the Oregon State Police.
TN: Tennessee bill granting in-state tuition to unauthorized immigrants fails
The House failed to pass a bill that would have made in-state college tuition available to about 25,000 undocumented students. Undocumented students who want to attend Tennessee schools must pay out-of-state rates, which can be three times or more the rate of in-state tuition.
RI: Rhode Island governor signs bill allowing casino hotel
Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo signed legislation clearing the path to build a hotel at Rhode Island’s only full-fledged casino. State law had prohibited a hotel, but lawmakers lifted the restriction out of concern for imminent casino competition from Massachusetts.
TX: Tensions rise between Texas House, Senate over state budget
Both the House and Senate want to dispense at least $4.4 billion or more in tax cuts to Texans over the next two years. Senate leaders say about half the package should consist of homeowner property tax breaks, while House leaders support a sales-tax rate cut.
MI: Changes in Michigan’s no-fault auto insurance law poised for passage
The changes are needed, business and insurance industry officials say, because Michigan has some of the highest auto insurance rates in the nation, making the state less competitive. But critically injured people, who receive lifetime benefits from the current system, worry the changes could affect the level of care they receive.
KS: Kansas’ Brownback lays out only partial budget fix
Republican Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration offered modest budget adjustments, but no comprehensive plan, to cover an estimated $400 million revenue shortfall in next year’s Kansas budget. The administration said it would work with lawmakers to solve the problem.
HI: Hawaii spends nearly $14 million on failed DOT system
Democratic Gov. David Ige said the state has spent more than $13 million without success to upgrade its antiquated 30-year-old highways accounting system to automate reporting on Hawaii highways projects that use millions in federal funds.
FL: Florida could soon isolate people suspected of being infected
The Florida Legislature sent Republican Gov. Rick Scott a bill that would bolster the power of the State Surgeon General to place people suspected or likely having a disease into isolation and quarantine.
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