Good morning, it’s Tuesday, June 3, 2025. In today’s edition, Texas adopts right-to-repair bill; California considers CEQA reform; Delgado to challenge Gov. Hochul in New York:
Top Stories
CONSUMER PROTECTION: The Texas legislature has approved a measure requiring manufacturers of digital electronic equipment to provide documentation, parts and tools to diagnose, maintain or repair those devices. Texas would join eight other states that have right-to-repair laws on the books if Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signs the bill. (Pluribus News)
ENVIRONMENT: California lawmakers are advancing legislation to overhaul the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA. One measure would exempt urban housing developments from the landmark law, and another would loosen rules for most other developments. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) endorsed the rollbacks by adding them to his proposed budget. (Los Angeles Times)
EDUCATION: Nevada lawmakers have approved education measures backed by Gov. Joe Lombardo (R) and Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro (D) that would allow open enrollment, expand pre-kindergarten and allow the state to take over underperforming schools. (KLAS)
MORE: Texas lawmakers have given final approval to legislation allowing university governing boards to review and potentially overturn general curriculum requirements. The bill would give governing boards more authority over faculty councils and employment decisions. (Associated Press)
TAX CREDITS: The Texas legislature has given final approval to a measure increasing the amount of tax credits available to film and television productions to $300 million. That’s up from the state’s current allocation of $200 million every two years. Productions would be allowed to expense worker wages, meals purchased from local restaurants and airfare on Texas-based airlines. (Texas Tribune)
HEALTH CARE: Idaho health officials are beginning to prepare to shift management of the state’s Medicaid system to private companies by 2029. The legislature this year approved a bill to shift Medicaid to private management on a managed care model. (Idaho Capital Sun)
NIL: The Oregon Senate has approved legislation to allow state colleges and universities to pay student athletes directly under name, image and likeness deals. The bill would block NIL deals from public disclosure, though athletes will be required to disclose deals to the NCAA. (Oregonian)
In Politics & Business
NEW YORK: Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado (D) will challenge Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) in the Democratic primary next year. Delgado said the state needed “bold, decisive, transformational leadership,” though he didn’t mention Hochul by name. (New York Times)
U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D), who challenged Hochul in 2022, wrote on social media: “Based upon my experience this may not be the most well-thought out idea!”
FLORIDA: Former U.S. Rep. David Jolly (D) intends to formally launch his campaign for governor this week, he said over the weekend. Jolly has been stumping statewide since he formally switched his party affiliation to become a Democrat in April. (Orlando Sentinel)
SOUTH CAROLINA: State Rep. Jermaine Johnson (D) is formally exploring a run for governor, he said in an email to supporters. (The State) State Sen. Josh Kimbrell (R) is the only other announced candidate so far; Gov. Henry McMaster (R) faces term limits.
GEORGIA: Senate President Pro Tem John Kennedy (R) will run for lieutenant governor next year, he said Monday. Kennedy will face Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch (R) in the GOP primary; Senate Appropriations Committee chair Blake Tillery (R) is raising money for a possible bid. (Associated Press)
KENTUCKY: State Sen. Robin Webb has left the Democratic Party to become a Republican. The party switch leaves Democrats with only six members in the 38-member Senate. (Lexington Herald Leader)
By The Numbers
1,440: The number of bills Tennessee House members introduced this year, down 10% from last year. Lawmakers approved 578 bills in total, up from 521 bills last session. (State Affairs)
152 m.p.h.: The top speed of a motorcyclist clocked by Oregon State Police last week along U.S. 26, one of the highest ever recorded by troopers. Last year, state police cited more than 1,000 drivers for exceeding 100 m.p.h., a 55% increase from 2019. (Oregonian)
Off The Wall
Whatcom County, Wash., sheriff’s deputies had to hide in their cars after a semitruck carrying 14 million bees overturned near the Canadian border. The bees began swarming and stinging after the truck toppled over, though no deputies were seriously injured. (Seattle Times)
Happy 100th birthday to the Goodyear Blimp, which took the skies outside Akron for the first time on June 3, 1925. The blimp first flew over a sporting event at the 1955 Rose Bowl. Today, Goodyear operates four blimps, three in the United States and one in Germany. (Associated Press)
Quote of the Day
“The first vote I ever took in this chamber was to vote for you to be speaker, and we were only 73 votes away. We were so close.”
— Texas Rep. Nate Schatzline (R), paying tribute to retiring Rep. Tony Tinderholt (R), an insurgent conservative who ran for speaker in 2023. (Texas Tribune)