Good morning, it’s Thursday, September 18, 2025. In today’s edition, states tackle AI’s role in rent pricing; blue states issue vaccine advisories; Sherrill leads Ciattarelli in New Jersey:
Top Stories
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: Lawmakers introduced 46 bills in 23 states this year seeking to restrict the use of AI in setting rents, part of a growing trend of legislators, mostly Democrats, who are concerned by the rising use of AI in setting and personalizing prices. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) vetoed a ban on rent algorithms, while another bill is sitting on New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s (D) desk.
California lawmakers last week approved a bill updating the state’s 1907 antitrust law to include algorithms that rely on competitor data to influence prices. Several other measures regulating the use of AI in pricing didn’t make it across the finish line, though they may make a comeback next year. (Pluribus News)
PUBLIC HEALTH: California, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii announced join recommendations for flu and Covid vaccines, a day before a panel of CDC advisors are set to review federal recommendations. The blue state advisory adheres to recommendations issued by national medical groups. (Associated Press)
MORE: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) has directed state agencies to encourage vaccine use and remove barriers to Covid vaccine access. Whitmer directed the Department of Insurance and Financial Services and the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to work with pharmacies and health care providers to ensure access. (Bridge MI)
HEALTH CARE: California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has until Oct. 12 to approve or veto measures capping out-of-pocket cost for insulin at $35 a month; prohibiting pharmacy benefit managers form steering patients to particular pharmacies; eliminating prior authorization requirements for treatments that insurance plans approve 90% of the time; and speeding the process of prior authorization requests. Those bills all passed in the final days of session. (CalMatters)
HOUSING: Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (R) has signed an executive order rolling back regulations and allowing developers to adhere to energy standards put in place in 2020, rather than updated 2024 standards, to speed housing production. Scott says the state needs 40,000 new units to keep up with demand. (VT Digger)
STADIUMS: The Washington, D.C., City Council approved a $3.7 billion deal to build a mixed-use development on the banks of the Anacostia River to include a new stadium for the NFL’s Commanders. The measure will provide more than $1 billion in taxpayer funds and $1 billion in tax breaks and other incentives for the team. (Washington Post)
In Politics & Business
NEW JERSEY: U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D) leads former Assemb. Jack Ciattarelli (R) 49% to 41%, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll. Libertarian candidate Vic Kaplan and Socialist Worker Party candidate Joanne Kuniansky each take 1%. Outgoing Gov. Phil Murphy’s (D) approval rating stands at 48%, while 44% disapprove. (Quinnipiac)
ALASKA: Former Attorney General Treg Taylor (R) will run for governor, he said Wednesday. Taylor announced his campaign in a video tying himself to President Trump and touting his opposition to the Biden administration. He’s the tenth Republican to enter the race to replace outgoing Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R). (Alaska Beacon)
Asked about the huge field of candidates, Taylor said: “That is a ridiculous number of people in the race.”
WISCONSIN: State Rep. Francesca Hong (D) is the latest Democrat to join the race to replace retiring Gov. Tony Evers (D). Hong, 36, represents Madison. She faces Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez (D), Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley (D) and state Sen. Kelda Roys (D) in the Democratic primary. (Associated Press)
TEXAS: News organizations in Texas are arguing in court to unseal records in Attorney General Ken Paxton’s (R) divorce case. The news groups say Paxton and his wife, Sen. Angela Paxton (R), are elected officials subject to public scrutiny. Ken Paxton is challenging U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R) in the 2026 Republican primary. (Texas Tribune)
By The Numbers
At least 270: The number of people in Maricopa County, Ariz., who have died at home from heat-related causes since 2020 when their cooling systems failed or were shut off. Victims ranged from 6 months old to 98 years old. (Arizona Republic)
91: The number of derogatory place names Oregon will replace in the coming years. The old names were deemed racially offensive. (Oregonian)
Off The Wall
A drafting error in redistricting legislation before Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) means about 875 residents in Kansas City would be represented by two members of Congress. The legislation puts one precinct in the city in two different districts. “This doesn’t happen very often,” a senior director at the Campaign Legal Center said. (KCUR)
An Orange County, Fla., judge could face a public reprimand for making more than 900 donations to political candidates and organizations since 2016. The judge gave more than $29,000 to Democratic candidates; judicial canon prohibits donations to partisan causes. (Tampa Bay Times)
Quote of the Day
“I offended a lot of people that I shouldn’t have offended.”
— Former Montana Democratic Party vice chair Max Johansen, who resigned three days after winning election. Johansen made comments critical of former U.S. Sen. Jon Tester (D), among other state party leaders. (Missoulian)