Good morning, it’s Tuesday, October 15, 2024. In today’s edition, California adopts fuel requirements; North Carolina considers housing codes after Helene; DeSantis administration campaigns against abortion amendment:
Top Stories
ENERGY: California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has signed legislation requiring oil refineries to maintain minimum amounts of fuel to ease price spikes during maintenance outages. The state Senate approved the measure in special session on Friday. Companies that break the new rules would face fines of up to $1 million per day. (Pluribus News)
HOUSING: North Carolina lawmakers are considering stronger state building codes in the wake of Hurricane Helene, after years of changing codes to reduce costs of homebuilding. Just 13 states meet FEMA’s criteria for “higher” hazard-resistant building codes; North Carolina is among the 29 states in the lower resistance category.
Major disasters often spur state leaders to strengthen building standards. Florida lawmakers adopted a statewide building code after Hurricane Andrew in 1992; Illinois lawmakers created statewide codes after a 2021 tornado flattened an Amazon warehouse. Read more at Pluribus News.
MORE: Hawaii Gov. Josh Green (D) has signed a new emergency order to build more than 13,000 housing units for working-class families in the next three years. The order pauses automatic adoption of county building codes. Developers must reserve 60% of units in new buildings for those who make 140% or less of an area’s median income. (Hawaii News Now)
SOCIAL MEDIA: Indiana Sen. Mike Bohacek (R) will introduce legislation next year to require social media sites to restrict access to children under the age of 16 unless they receive verifiable parental consent. Bohacek said his measure would mirror the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, which applies to children under 13. (Howard County Post)
HEALTH CARE: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) is backing legislation that would provide privacy protections for health data related to reproductive care. State Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (D) plans to introduce the measure in next year’s legislative session. (Michigan Advance)
In Politics & Business
GEORGIA: A Fulton County judge will hear arguments today over new state election rules that require counties to hand count the number of ballots cast before certifying results. The Cobb County election board has sued the State Election Board to invalidate the rules, arguing they exceed the state board’s authority. (Atlanta Journal Constitution)
FLORIDA: The state Office of Election Crimes and Security issued a report Friday alleging a “large number of forged signatures” on ballot petitions for Amendment 4, the pro-abortion rights measure. The office issued a $328,000 fine against the amendment’s backers. Supporters said they would appeal the fine. (Associated Press)
NEW HAMPSHIRE: Former U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R) and her GOP allies have spent $10.1 million on TV ads backing her bid for governor, while former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig (D) and her fellow Democrats have spent about $4.5 million, according to spending data. Most of Ayotte’s spending is taking place in the pricey Boston media market, while Craig has spent about half her money on Manchester-based WMUR. (WMUR)
MICHIGAN: A nonprofit group founded by a supporter of Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan (D) is beginning to highlight Duggan’s efforts to reform the city, an initial hint that Duggan is considering a bid for governor in 2026. Duggan declined to comment, though his ambitions are an open secret in Michigan political circles. (Bridge MI)
By The Numbers
2,471 lbs.: The size of the winning pumpkin in an annual heaviest gourd contest in Half Moon Bay, Calif., on Monday. Horticulture teacher Travis Gienger hauled the winner all the way from Anoka, Minn., to capture the title. Gienger plans to take the pumpkin to Southern California where it will be carved into what we’d guess will be the world’s biggest jack-o-lantern. (Associated Press)
$4.5 million: The total raised so far by New York City Comptroller Brad Lander (D) in his bid to oust Mayor Eric Adams (D). Former Comptroller Scott Stringer (D) and state Sen. Zellnor Myrie (D) each raised six-figure sums, while Sen. Jessica Ramos (D) raised $52,000 in the first two weeks of her campaign. (City & State)
Off The Wall
Pennsylvania is set to become the first state to recognize the Hindu festival Diwali as a state holiday. The state Senate gave final approval to a new measure recognizing Diwali last week, sending it to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s (D) desk for a signature. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
The National Zoo is getting two new residents today when Bao Li and Qing Bao, two giant pandas, arrive from their Chinese home. The pandas are being served corn bread, bamboo and carrots on their flight to Washington. (Associated Press)
Quote of the Day
“It’s gone by in a New York minute. I can’t believe it.”
— New Hampshire Sen. Lou D’Allesandro (D), bidding his colleagues farewell after half a century in the legislature. (Boston Globe)