Good morning, it’s Thursday, January 22, 2026. In today’s edition, lawmakers embrace affordability agendas; Trump admin threatens more blue state funding; new polls in New Hampshire, South Carolina:
Top Stories
ECONOMY: Lawmakers across the country and across the aisle have a buzzword for the year: Affordability. As inflation remains stubbornly high and voters turn sour on the economy, legislators are pitching affordability agendas covering energy, housing, child care and taxes. Republicans blame the Biden administration for inflation, while voters are more likely to say it’s President Trump’s economy. (Pluribus News)
Of the 24 governors who have given State of the State or inaugural addresses this year, 19 have mentioned “affordability” more than once.
MORE: The Florida Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee has advanced legislation addressing the impending penny shortage. The bill would round transactions ending in 1, 2, 6 or 7 cents down to the nearest nickel, while transactions ending in 3, 4, 8 or 9 cents would be rounded up. The requirement would apply only to cash transactions. (Florida Politics)
BUDGETS: The Trump administration plans to order a whole-of-government review of federal funding to 13 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia. Government agencies will have a week to report to the Office of Management and Budget, threatening further cuts after the Department of Health and Human Services froze $10 billion in social service and child care funding. (Real Clear Politics)
SOCIAL MEDIA: Michigan Senate Democrats have introduced legislation enacting stronger regulations around social media access for minors. The four-bill package would ban social media platforms from giving kids access to data-driven feeds without parental approval; ban minors from accessing AI chatbots; and allow parents to manage a child’s social media account. (State Affairs)
IMMIGRATION: Mississippi Sen. Michael McLendon (R) has introduced legislation to reimburse state and local law enforcement agencies for immigration enforcement expenses. The “glacier grants” would go to cover agency expenses that aren’t covered by federal funding. (Jackson Clarion Ledger)
MORE: New Jersey lawmakers will introduce new legislation to limit the state’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities, after outgoing Gov. Phil Murphy (D) vetoed proposals on his last day in office. Advocates say they hope Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D) will sign the measures. (NJ Advance Media) New Mexico’s House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee will hear testimony today on legislation to ban immigration detention in the state. (Source NM)
HOUSING: Washington legislators are considering a 4% tax on short-term housing rentals. The money would be earmarked for new housing and rental assistance funds. AirBnb has spent almost $4 million on a PAC opposing the tax. (Washington State Standard)
PAID LEAVE: Virginia Democrats are fast-tracking legislation to create a state-run paid family leave program for employees. The state would pay employees 80% of their average weekly salary for time off to have a child, for medical reasons or to care for a sick loved one, for up to 12 weeks. (WRIC)
PUBLIC HEALTH: The Mississippi House Public Health and Human Services Committee has approved a bill allowing clinical trials of the psychedelic drug Ibogaine. The Schedule I controlled substance has shown potential in treating those with PTSD and those suffering from opioid withdrawals. (Magnolia Tribune)
In Politics & Business
NEW HAMPSHIRE: A new University of New Hampshire survey finds Gov. Kelly Ayotte (R) leading 2024 candidate Jon Kiper (D) 50% to 39%. Ayotte leads Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern (D) 49% to 41%. McEachern hasn’t formally entered the race yet. Ayotte’s approval rating stands at 50%, while 45% disapprove. (UNH)
SOUTH CAROLINA: A new Trafalgar Group poll of Republican primary voters finds Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette (R) statistically tied with Attorney General Alan Wilson (R), 22% to 20%. U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R) stands at 17%, while U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman (R) takes 10%. Fully 29% of voters remain undecided. (Trafalgar)
OREGON: Conservative influencer David Medina (R) will run for governor, he said this week. Medina was arrested for his participation in the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol and pardoned by President Trump last year. (Oregonian) State Rep. Ed Diehl (R) will also run for governor, after leading a referendum effort to block a transportation tax hike. (Oregonian)
WISCONSIN: The state Senate has approved proposed constitutional amendments barring the closure of houses of worship during an emergency and prohibiting preferential treatment based on race, sex or other factors. The measures, approved on party lines, will appear on this year’s November ballot. (State Affairs)
CRIME BLOTTER: Former Georgia Rep. Karen Bennett (D) has pleaded guilty to false statement charges after prosecutors alleged she took $13,940 in improper federal unemployment benefits. Prosecutors want Bennett to repay the money, along with a $100 penalty. (Atlanta Journal Constitution)
By The Numbers
21%: The decline in homicide rates in 35 American cities between 2024 and 2025, according to the Council on Criminal Justice. Vehicle thefts were down 27%, and shoplifting was down 10%. (Associated Press)
$180 million: The amount Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D) will use to temporarily subsidize residential gas and electric bills this winter. Electric bills would be reduced by 25% and natural gas by 10% for every residential utility customer in February and March. (State Affairs)
Off The Wall
Wyoming lawmakers are pitching a $30 million incentive package to woo the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association from its headquarters in Colorado Springs to Cheyenne. Half the money would come from a private economic development organization, while the other half would be funded by state appropriations. (Laramie Boomerang)
The National Weather Service is warning that the winter storm bearing down on much of the eastern United States could cause exploding trees in parts of Minnesota, Iowa and South Dakota. Severe cold causes sap and moisture to freeze rapidly, expanding and causing pressure in tree trunks that can cause loud exploding sounds. It’s technically known as frost cracking or cryoseismic booming. (KKRC)
“Exploding Trees” would be a great band name.
Scientists have discovered the mummified remains of cheetahs ranging from 130 years old to more than 1,800 years old in caves in Saudi Arabia. Cheetahs haven’t been seen in the Arabian Peninsula for decades, likely due to loss of habitat and unregulated hunting. (Associated Press)
Quote of the Day
“We got ourselves into this mess. We’re gonna have to get ourselves out of this mess.”
— Colorado Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer (R), on budget deficits the state faces. (Colorado Sun)