Good morning, it’s Monday, August 11, 2025. In today’s edition, states frustrated with nation’s largest grid operator; Texas turns up heat on absent Dems; poll shows Porter leads California governor’s race:
Top Stories
ENERGY: Lawmakers in seven states have introduced bills to require utilities to disclose how they vote in business meetings related to PJM Interconnection, the nation’s largest grid operator. States served by PJM are frustrated that energy costs have risen 20% since June, with another 5% increase slated for next summer.
Delaware approved legislation last month to require more disclosure. New Jersey legislation is awaiting Gov. Phil Murphy’s (D) signature. The Pennsylvania House has adopted a bill to require utilities to submit annual reports on their votes in PJM business meetings. States covered by PJM plan to meet next month in Philadelphia to discuss reform options. (Pluribus News)
MORE: More than a dozen states have started advancing legislation to force data centers to pay higher prices for energy costs, to offset costs to residential consumers. Research by an independent market watchdog found 70% of increased electricity costs come from data center demand. (Associated Press)
REDISTRICTING: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) has filed a lawsuit with the state Supreme Court seeking to have 13 absent state House Democrats immediately removed from office. The suit alleges the Democrats have “abandoned” their office and duties. Paxton has also sued former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D) for helping to fund the absent Democrats. (Associated Press)
MORE: Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) gathered top legislative leaders to consider potential redistricting efforts on Aug. 1, according to emails obtained under a public records request. President Trump has urged Missouri, among other states, to redraw U.S. House district maps. (Kansas City Star)
TRANS RIGHTS: The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld Oklahoma’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors. The court relied on a recent Supreme Court decision upholding a similar ban adopted in Tennessee. The Oklahoma law creates a felony for health care providers who violate the ban. (Oklahoma Voice)
GIG ECONOMY: Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) has vetoed legislation that would have allowed gig economy companies like DoorDash and Uber to offer independent contractors access to benefits, health care and retirement savings accounts. The bill would have exempted workers from state minimum wage, unemployment insurance and worker’s comp laws. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
In Politics & Business
2028: Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) addressed the South Carolina GOP’s annual Silver Elephant fundraiser on Saturday, his first foray into the early primary state. Youngkin visited Iowa a few weeks ago. (Charleston Post & Courier) Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) declined to rule out a presidential bid during an appearance on Meet The Press. (Chicago Tribune)
GEORGIA: Attorney General Chris Carr (R) has sued Lt. Gov. Burt Jones (R) in federal court, asking a judge to stop Jones’s spending on his gubernatorial campaign. Carr alleges Jones’s spending on his political leadership committee violates Carr’s First and Fourteenth Amendment rights. The two are competing to succeed term-limited Gov. Brian Kemp (R). (Georgia Public Broadcasting)
CALIFORNIA: A new Emerson College poll shows former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter (D) leading the field in the race for governor with 18% of the vote, followed by pundit Steve Hilton (R) with 12%. No other candidate cracks double digits. Thirty-eight percent of voters are undecided. (Emerson College)
MORE: Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis (D) has ended her campaign for governor, opting to run for state Treasurer instead. Kounalakis said she thought her experience would make her a better fit for the Treasurer’s office. (Sacramento Bee)
ALASKA: A new poll from the liberal group Data for Progress shows former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola (D) leading the field of potential gubernatorial candidates. In a first round of voting, Peltola would capture 40% of the vote; businesswoman Bernadette Wilson (R) and Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom (R) are statistically tied for second at 11% and 10%, respectively. (Alaska Beacon)
CRIME BLOTTER: A federal judge has denied former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s (D) request to stay out of prison while he appeals his corruption conviction. Madigan is scheduled to report to prison on Oct. 13. (Capitol News Illinois)
By The Numbers
$2.987 billion: The amount Massachusetts collected from a surtax on wealthy individuals in Fiscal Year 2025. The state collected another $2.439 billion in capital gains taxes. (State Affairs)
106,672: The number of acres burned in the Lee Fire in Rio Blanco County, Colo., making it the sixth largest fire in state history. By Saturday night, the fire was only 6% contained. (Denver Post)
Off The Wall
Arizona Sen. John Kavanagh (R) has a new book out on the operation of state legislatures. The book, “State Legislatures: An Owner’s Manual,” will be published by Arizona State University. (Arizona Capitol Times)
A meteorite that punched a hole in a Georgia homeowner’s roof is older than the Earth itself, a University of Georgia researcher said. The meteorite, the size of a cherry tomato, is an estimated 4.56 billion years old, 20 million years older than the planet. (Associated Press)
Quote of the Day
“That’s my personal business. I might have multiple girlfriends. I might not want the public to know who I am sleeping with and where I’m going. I’m not touching anything about my personal life.”
— Connecticut Sen. Doug McCrory (D), under investigation by the Department of Justice for his alleged relationship with a businesswoman whose companies have landed millions in state funding. (CT Insider)