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Pluribus AM: Dems make a play for Arizona

Good morning, it’s Friday, August 16, 2024. In today’s edition, Newsom goes after big oil, again; Pennsylvania, North Carolina host top AG races; Dems invest big in Arizona:

Top Stories

ENERGY: California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on Thursday urged legislators to approve a measure that would require petroleum refiners to maintain a minimum fuel reserve. The first-in-the-nation proposal, aimed at smoothing out gas price spikes, is Newsom’s latest shot at the fossil fuel industry.

Newsom’s proposal would require petroleum refiners in California to demonstrate to the state Energy Commission that their resupply plans are sufficient to address lost production during maintenance — which Newsom blamed for record-high gas prices in 2022.

The fossil fuel industry is, naturally, aghast. The Western States Petroleum Association denies that refinery maintenance is to blame for price hikes. It called Newsom’s plan “regulatory malpractice.” California lawmakers only have about two weeks left before they’re done for the year, so Newsom’s plan may be just an opening bid. But it’s one that will kick off another expensive lobbying fight in America’s most expensive state capitol. Read more at Pluribus News.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: Georgia lawmakers held a hearing about the use of AI in media, film and music. The Senate Study Committee on AI meets again in September. (Georgia Public Broadcasting) South Dakota lawmakers are preparing a study of the promise and peril of AI, with an eye toward introducing legislation next session. (South Dakota Public Broadcasting)

All these study committees point to a coming boom in AI-related legislation. Next year is going to be a whopper for tech regulations.

MARIJUANA: Florida Sen. Joe Gruters (R) will introduce legislation next year to ban smoking in all public spaces, in advance of a ballot measure to legalize recreational marijuana. Gruters, who backs the legalization initiative, said his measure would ban all smoking and vaping at parks, beaches, sidewalks and bars. (Orlando Sentinel)

Public polling shows the proposed amendment to legalize marijuana surpassing the required 60% threshold.

LGBTQ RIGHTS: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) has filed a new suit against the Biden administration over workforce protections for transgender employees. Paxton alleges that rules requiring an employer to make accommodations for an employee’s gender identity illegally preempt state power to enact workplace policies. (Texas Tribune)

HOUSING: Illinois Gov. J.B. Prtizker (D) has signed legislation prohibiting landlords from retaliating against tenants who file code violation complaints. The law bars landlords from increasing rent, terminating or refusing to renew leases or filing lawsuits against tenants who complain to authorities. (Center Square)

TAXES: Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) has called lawmakers back into session later this month to cut taxes and limit property tax growth. The session is part of a deal with conservative backers of two ballot initiatives that would impose much steeper cuts and scramble the state budget. (Colorado Sun)

In Politics & Business

ATTORNEYS GENERAL: Voters will elect attorneys general in ten states this year, and six of those states feature open races. Democrats are likely to keep control in open seats in Washington and Oregon, while Republicans will hold on to seats in West Virginia and Utah.

The two most contentious races: Pennsylvania and North Carolina. Democrats hold both seats, for the moment. In Pennsylvania, former Auditor Eugene DePasquale (D) faces York County D.A. Dave Sunday (R). In North Carolina, U.S. Reps. Jeff Jackson (D) and Dan Bishop (R) square off. Expect Democrats to lean heavily on abortion rights, while Republicans pledge to crack down on crime. Read more at Pluribus News.

NORTH CAROLINA: State Rep. Destin Hall (R) has raised more than $1.5 million and transferred $1 million to the state House Republican campaign committee as he plans to run for House Speaker next year. Hall, 37, is likely to succeed outgoing Speaker Tim Moore (R), who is running for Congress. (Raleigh News & Observer)

ARIZONA: The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee plans to spend $223,000 on 12 legislative races in Arizona, where Republicans hold the slimmest majorities in both the House and Senate. Democrats are targeting eight House races and four Senate contests. (Arizona Republic)

NEW YORK CITY: Federal prosecutors have served Mayor Eric Adams (D) and his political operation with subpoenas in a long-running corruption investigation, seeking text messages and other communications. The investigation appears to focus on the construction of a new Turkish consulate near the United Nations. (New York Times)

By The Numbers

99%: The share of America’s population that has been under at least one extreme weather alert this year. Only 79 counties, home to 1% of the population, have not been under extreme alerts this year. Those counties are mostly in Alaska, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. (Los Angeles Times)

-3.2 feet: The predicted water level in the Mississippi River by August 27, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. That’s better than last October, when the river stood at an all-time low of -11.5 feet, but it’s still not great for shipping. (Talk Business & Politics)

$11.5 million: Total sales of legal cannabis products sold during the first five days of legal recreational marijuana in Ohio, according to the Division of Cannabis Control. Dispensaries made 138,466 individual sales over that span. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

Off The Wall

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis (R) has asked the state Board of Governors to investigate “exorbitant spending” by former University of Florida President Ben Sasse, whose spending tripled his predecessor in just his first year in office. (Florida Alligator)

Attention movie buffs: You, too, can live in the home where the horror classic “Poltergeist” was filmed. The Simi Valley home is on the market for $1,174,999. The property doesn’t come with a ghost, but it does have a pool and a hot tub. (Los Angeles Times)

Quote of the Day

“No one can sit on the sidelines and act like one thing will solve this.”

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R), rolling out an executive order aimed at reducing recidivism. The order focuses on expanded education opportunities and employment services for those leaving prison. (Daily Press)