Good morning, it’s Tuesday, December 2, 2025. In today’s edition, broadband funds flow to the states; Indiana GOP releases U.S. House maps; all I want for Christmas is “Ron DeSanta” wrapping paper:
Top Stories
INFRASTRUCTURE: The Trump administration has approved final proposals from 17 states seeking federal money to expand access to high-speed internet. The money, authorized by Congress during the Biden administration, is part of $42.5 billion spent through the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program.
The Trump administration restructured the program earlier this year, eliminating a preference for fiber connections and opening the door to lower-cost technologies like low-Earth orbit satellites. The administration also nixed labor and environmental requirements. Nationally, states are proposing 6,432 deployment projects to serve 3.6 million locations. (Pluribus News)
North Dakota, one of the 17 states receiving the first tranche of federal money, is on track to become the first state to provide high-speed internet access to 100% of its residents by 2028. (North Dakota Monitor)
REDISTRICTING: Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston (R) has introduced new legislative maps that would give Republicans an advantage in two Democratic-held congressional districts. The maps carve up an Indianapolis district held by U.S. Rep. Andre Carson (D) and make substantial changes to a northwest Indiana district held by U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan (D). The House Elections and Apportionment Committee will hold hearings on the new maps today. (State Affairs)
The conservative Club for Growth is airing advertisements backing the new maps. (Indiana Capital Chronicle)
ELECTIONS: Florida, Indiana, Iowa and Ohio have reached a settlement agreement with the Department of Homeland Security giving them access to citizenship status data. The states will be allowed to run searches for thousands of voters through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements program to suss out whether registered voters are actually eligible to cast a ballot. (Associated Press)
EDUCATION: The Ohio House has approved legislation allowing teachers to discuss the historical positive impact of religion on American history. References to Christianity in the bill were changed to Judeo-Christian values before it passed on a strictly party-line vote. (Statehouse News Bureau)
LAW ENFORCEMENT: Washington lawmakers plan to file legislation next year to regulate law enforcement’s use of automated license plate readers. The University of Washington found several local police departments authorized U.S. Border Patrol to use license plate reader databases in immigration enforcement actions. (Washington State Standard)
TRANSPORTATION: Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) has signed legislation expanding weight limits for clean energy trucks. The legislation allows for a 2,000-lb. allowance for vehicles operated wholly or partly by natural gas, electric batteries or hydrogen fuel cells. (Capitol City Now)
TAXES: A provision in Pennsylvania’s new $50.1 billion budget will decouple state tax policy from the federal government. The change will mean a savings of $900 million Pennsylvania would have otherwise lost out on because of tax changes in President Trump’s reconciliation bill. (State Affairs)
In Politics & Business
WISCONSIN: Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes (D) formally launched his campaign for governor, joining a crowded Democratic field to replace retiring Gov. Tony Evers (D). Barnes narrowly lost a 2022 challenge to Sen. Ron Johnson (R), raising $41 million in the process. (State Affairs)
MICHIGAN: Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan (I) has spent $644,000 on digital advertisements backing his campaign for governor, more than any other candidate. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) has spent $33,000 on ads, while former Attorney General Mike Cox (R) has spent about $32,000. An outside group backing Duggan has spent about half a million dollars on cable and broadcast ads. (State Affairs)
MINNESOTA: Minneapolis attorney Chris Madel (R) will run for governor, he said Monday. Madel made his name defending state trooper Ryan Londregan from murder charges relating to the 2023 shooting death of a motorist. He joins House Speaker Lisa Demuth (R), Rep. Kristin Robbins (R), 2022 nominee Scott Jensen (R) and businessman Kendall Qualls (R) in the GOP primary. (Minnesota Star Tribune)
OREGON: Opponents of tax hikes approved in a recent transportation funding bill say they have more than the 78,116 signatures needed to place the measure before voters in November. Those leading the push for a ballot initiative to repeal the taxes say they’ve collected more than 150,000 signatures. (Oregonian)
NEW JERSEY: Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill (D) will name Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell (D) as Secretary of State. Two of Caldwell’s three predecessors have also concurrently served as Secretary of State. By law, the lieutenant governor also leads a department. (New Jersey Monitor)
By The Numbers
83%: The share of respondents in a survey of New York school administrators who said the state’s new bell-to-bell ban on cellphones in classrooms led to a more positive classroom experience and better student engagement. The study found 75% said the policy has improved teachers’ ability to teach effectively. (State of Politics)
$45: The fee air travelers without a REAL ID will face beginning in February. The Department of Homeland Security says 94% of passengers already have REAL IDs. Full implementation of the REAL ID system was supposed to begin in 2008. (Associated Press)
Off The Wall
In the market for wrapping paper ahead of the holidays? For just $25 a roll, you can score a “Ron DeSanta” design, for sale by a political action committee that backs Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R). “This Christmas, wrap your gifts like your politics: bold and conservative,” the PAC says. (Florida Politics)
The Denver Museum of Nature and Science has assigned four science fellows to work with nonpartisan staff at Colorado’s Legislative Council to help lawmakers with research. Fellows will focus on legislation related to energy, climate, transportation, artificial intelligence and technology policy, as well as mental and public health. (Colorado Public Radio)
The Ada County, Idaho, Highway District has a new snowplow: Taylor Drift. The plow, named by the public, joins its colleagues CTRL+SALT+DELETE, Snotato, The Big Leplowski, Scoop Dogg and, of course, PlowyMcPlowface. (Idaho Statesman)
Regular readers know we can’t resist a good snowplow naming contest.
Quote of the Day
“Some of these caregivers claim to be performing work schedules that would make the Energizer Bunny look like a slacker.”
— Nebraska Auditor Mike Foley (R), warning about potential abuse of a publicly funded program that pays for personal assistance services for Medicaid-eligible residents. Foley said oversight failures may be “setting the stage for some truly mind boggling improprieties.” (Nebraska Examiner)