Good morning, it’s Friday, August 1, 2025. In today’s edition, states move to adopt flying cars; New Mexico plans to ban immigration detention centers; Newsom hints at California redistricting path:
Top Stories
TRANSPORTATION: Seven states this year have approved legislation advancing the electric vehicle take-off and landing industry, or EVTOLs. The advanced air mobility field means to transport passengers through urban areas faster than in cars. Arizona created an Advanced Air Mobility Fund. Arkansas approved legislation to promote the establishment of public-use vertiports.
Michigan and Kentucky established air mobility task forces, while the Ohio Department of Transportation said it would create an advanced air mobility division. Industry analysts expect the EVTOL space to grow to $29 billion by 2030. The U.S., the U.K., Australia, Canada and New Zealand signed a “roadmap” to guide certification of EVOTLs earlier this year. (Pluribus News)
ABORTION/TRANS RIGHTS: Massachusetts lawmakers have reached an agreement on new shield legislation aimed at protecting providers of reproductive and gender affirming care. The deal would allow prescription labels to display a practice name instead of a provider’s name, limit the release of sensitive data and codify a state requirement that abortion care be provided in emergencies. (State Affairs)
IMMIGRATION: New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s (D) office said she would ask lawmakers to approve legislation banning immigration detention centers in the state in an upcoming special session. Dates for the special session have not yet been set; lawmakers considered a bill to ban local governments from working with federal officials to detain people for civil immigration violations, but that bill stalled in committee. (Santa Fe New Mexican)
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (R) has rejected a Trump administration request to deploy a dozen National Guard members to do clerical work for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (VT Digger)
CRIMINAL JUSTICE: The Massachusetts House has unanimously approved legislation to require hotel workers to be trained in human trafficking recognition. The bill requires the Attorney General’s office to approve training programs for hotel workers. (State Affairs)
PUBLIC SAFETY: New York lawmakers are advancing legislation to mandate training for law enforcement officials to help them interact with people on the autism spectrum. The training would focus on use-of-force and de-escalation techniques. (State of Politics)
SPORTS BETTING: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) wants the Ohio Casino Control Commission to eliminate prop bets from the list of legal sports wagers after Major League Baseball put two Cleveland Guardians pitchers on leave amid an investigation into sports betting. DeWine said he would ask commissioners and players unions for major sports leagues to support a ban on prop bets. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
In Politics & Business
CALIFORNIA: Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is signaling plans to put a new congressional district map on the November ballot, sidestepping the state’s independent redistricting commission in a bid to boost the number of Democrats the state sends to Congress. Newsom told reporters the process would revert to the independent commission in 2030. (CalMatters)
OHIO: Sen. Bill Reineke (R) is running to succeed Senate President Rob McColley (R), who faces term limits next year. He will face Sen. Jerry Cirino (R), who’s been building support behind the scenes. The public announcement sets up a rare battle for the Senate’s top office. (State Affairs)
MORE: Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy (R) has raised $9.7 million for his bid to replace term-limited Gov. DeWine. Former Department of Health director Amy Acton (D) reported raising $1.4 million over the same period. (Columbus Dispatch)
FLORIDA: Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has declared today “Hulk Hogan Day,” in honor of the late wrestler who died last week. Flags will fly at half staff today, brother. (Tampa Bay Times)
By The Numbers
$1.2 billion: The estimated drop in Colorado tax revenue under President Trump’s reconciliation legislation. That’s a steeper drop than in the first year of the Great Recession. (Pluribus News)
More than $2 billion: The estimated cost of a new stadium to host the Athletics in Las Vegas, up from the initial $1.5 billion projection. Nevada will spend $350 million to help build the stadium on the south side of the Las Vegas Strip. (Nevada Independent)
Off The Wall
Workers at the Savannah River Site near Aiken, S.C., found a nest of radioactive wasps at the facility that once made key parts for nuclear bombs. The nest had a radiation level of ten times the level allowed under federal regulations. (Associated Press)
Members of the Baltimore Ravens will get swimming lessons from hometown hero Michael Phelps, after cornerback Marlon Humphrey asked for help. Humphrey said one in three Ravens can’t swim, so naturally they need help from the 23-time Olympic medalist. (UPI)
Quote of the Day
“The starting gun just popped.”
— California Democratic strategist Andrew Acosta, on the fallout from former Vice President Kamala Harris’s decision not to run for governor in 2026. (Associated Press)