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Good morning, it’s Friday, September 22, 2023. In today’s edition, thousands restored to Medicaid coverage after computer goofs; North Carolina tees up Medicaid expansion vote; abortion measure aimed at Arizona ballot:
Top Stories
HEALTH CARE: About 500,000 people have regained Medicaid coverage after computer errors improperly booted them from the system, federal officials said Thursday. The computer errors impacted people in 29 states and the District of Columbia, including a large number of children who should have been eligible. (Associated Press)
MORE: The Michigan Senate Finance, Insurance and Consumer Protection Committee is considering creating a Prescription Drug Affordability Board to monitor the cost of medications. Bills under consideration would allow the board to set upper payment limits for drugs sold in Michigan. (Michigan Advance)
EVEN MORE: The North Carolina House approved a $60 billion budget that expands Medicaid coverage early Friday, setting up a final vote this morning. The budget also gives state employees a 7% pay raise and cuts personal income taxes to as low as 2.49% if the state meets revenue collection goals. (Raleigh News & Observer)
INSURANCE: California will let insurance companies consider climate change when setting prices, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara (D) said Thursday. Lara’s office will write new rules allowing insurance companies to consider climate risks if they agree to write more policies for homeowners who live in high-risk areas. (Associated Press)
IMMIGRATION: Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D) will expand legal services for migrants living in emergency shelters to help them get work authorizations. Healey said two state agencies would use state money to pay application fees to expedite work authorization filings. (Boston Herald)
EDUCATION: A Franklin County Court judge has issued a temporary restraining order barring a new Ohio law that shifts education decisions from the state School Board to the governor’s office from taking effect. Seven members of the board filed suit alleging the legislation was unconstitutional. (Columbus Dispatch)
TAXES: Massachusetts lawmakers have reached a deal on tax relief after months of negotiations between the House and Senate. Details were scarce, but House Speaker Ron Mariano (D) and Senate President Karen Spilka (D) said they would file and vote on the agreement next week. The House and Senate have allocated about $580 million for tax relief. (Boston Globe)
In Politics & Business
ARIZONA: Abortion rights advocates will begin gathering signatures for a ballot measure to add reproductive care to the state constitution. They need 383,923 valid signatures by July 3 to qualify for the 2024 ballot. (Arizona Republic)
WISCONSIN: Five Republican assembly members have introduced an impeachment resolution targeting Elections Commission Administrator Meagan Wolfe after Attorney General Josh Kaul (D) sued to block the Senate’s move to oust her. Wolfe has been the target of election deniers who blame her for President Biden’s victory in the state in 2020. (Associated Press, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
TEXAS: In a post-acquittal tour of conservative radio stations, Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) said he would spend time supporting primary challenges against legislators who supported his impeachment. Paxton hinted he would back challengers to House Speaker Dade Phelan (R), lead impeachment manager Rep. Andrew Murr (R) and legislators in his home county who voted to oust him. (Texas Tribune)
PEOPLE: Iowa First Gentleman Kevin Reynolds has been diagnosed with lung cancer, Gov. Kim Reynolds’s (R) office said Thursday. The family said they are confident in his recovery. (Des Moines Register) Our best wishes for a speedy recovery.
By The Numbers
$1,312: The dividend Alaskans will receive from the state’s Permanent Fund this year, the Department of Revenue said Thursday. More than 600,000 people will start getting their checks on Oct. 5. The dividend is down from the $3,284 payment last year. (Alaska Public Media)
$202.3 million: The estimated insurance losses caused by Hurricane Idalia, according to claims made with Florida’s Office of Insurance Regulation. Just over half the claims have yet to be closed. (Florida Politics)
$75 million: The listing price of Point Buckler Island, a 50-acre marshy island in San Francisco Bay. The owner purchased the island in 2011 for just $150,000; he hopes to sell it to a conglomerate of billionaires who have been buying up land in Solano County who hope to build a new city. (Los Angeles Times)
Off The Wall
The University of Missouri has rolled out the Midwest’s first all-electric autonomous tractor. The machine has artificial intelligence capabilities designed to collect data and monitor crop health. University researchers say the tractor has the potential to help farmers with disabilities, among other advanced capabilities. (Daily Montanan)
The Kansas Department of Commerce and the Department of Health and Environment might be a little slow to answer the phone today after their offices were evacuated because of a water main break. The state Highway Patrol got workers out of the building after the eruption in downtown Topeka on Thursday morning. (KSNT)
Actor Matthew McConaughey is again floating a potential run for public office. In an appearance on the SmartLess podcast, McConaughey said his background as an artist, storyteller and folk singer might be useful if he ever runs “to be the CEO of a state or country.” (KXAN)
Quote of the Day
“I was down there with him in the hospital and then said goodbye. And then we thought it was going to be in that week that it was coming to the end. And it’s just now been seven months.”
— Jason Carter, the grandson of Jimmy Carter, who entered hospice care earlier this year. Jimmy Carter will hit his 99th birthday on Oct. 1. (New York Times)