Good morning, it’s Wednesday, March 4, 2026. In today’s edition, GOP lawmakers aim to make SNAP, Medicaid cuts; North Carolina Senate president trails in re-election bid; Texas agriculture commissioner goes down to defeat:
Top Stories
HEALTH CARE: Lawmakers in half a dozen red states are citing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to impose reductions in Medicaid and SNAP funding. Proposals in Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Utah and West Virginia vary, but they seek to impose stricter eligibility limits for government-run insurance and food aid programs, more frequent eligibility checks and tighter restrictions on immigrants. (Pluribus News)
PUBLIC HEALTH: The New York Senate has approved legislation expanding access to vaccines. Among the bills adopted Tuesday: Measures to allow registered pharmacy technicians to give vaccines, require coverage of Covid-19 vaccines, and to expand vaccine authorization power beyond the federal CDC advisory committee’s recommendations. (State of Politics)
MORE: The Iowa House has approved Gov. Kim Reynolds’ (R) MAHA bill, requiring the state to request waivers to restrict the use of SNAP benefits to purchase unhealthy foods. The bill would also allow over-the-counter distribution of ivermectin, and require medical students to complete 40 hours of coursework on nutrition and metabolic health. (Iowa Capital Dispatch)
TRANSPORTATION: A federal district court judge has blocked the Trump administration’s efforts to halt congestion pricing in New York City. The judge ruled the Department of Transportation lacked the authority to unilaterally rescind approval for the program. (Associated Press)
ABORTION: Missouri Sen. Mike Moon (R) has reintroduced a proposed constitutional amendment to expand the definition of personhood to cover an unborn fetus. The amendment, which would require voter approval, would create a total ban on abortion and criminalize anyone involved in ending a pregnancy. (Missouri Independent)
CRYPTO: Indiana Gov. Mike Braun (R) has signed legislation requiring the state public retirement fund to offer individuals at least one cryptocurrency investment option. It prohibits state government from enacting regulations restricting or prohibiting the use of digital assets as a method of payment. (Indianapolis Star)
MORE: The South Dakota legislature has given final approval to legislation requiring digital currency kiosks, also known as crypto ATMs, to set a $1,000 daily limit on transactions, produce paper receipts and explain terms and conditions before a transaction. Another bill would include crypto currency on the list of seizable assets. (South Dakota Searchlight)
SECURITY: The Minnesota legislature is considering creating a special security unit for elected officials, following the assassination of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman (D) and her husband. The bill removes a prior requirement that the legislature consult with the governor before adding protective services to lawmakers. (CBS News)
Current House Speaker Lisa Demuth (R) has won a protective order against a woman who repeatedly left threatening voice mail messages. (Fargo Forum)
In Politics & Business
NORTH CAROLINA: Senate President Phil Berger (R) trails Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page (R) by just two votes after one of the most expensive state legislative primary fights in U.S. history. With all votes counted, Page leads 13,077 to 13,075. A recount is certain. Eight other incumbents lost their seats, including three Democrats who voted with Republicans to help overturn Gov. Josh Stein’s (D) vetoes. (State Affairs)
Don’t let anyone tell you your vote doesn’t count.
ARKANSAS: Senate Majority Leader Blake Johnson (R) has lost his bid for renomination to state Rep Jeremy Wooldridge (R) on Tuesday. Wooldridge took 62% of the vote in the two-way race. (Jonesboro Right Now)
TEXAS: State Sen. Mayes Middleton (R) and U.S. Rep. Chip Roy (R) will head to a May 26 runoff in their bids to become attorney general. Middleton led the primary field with 39% of the vote, followed by Roy at 32%. Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller (R) has lost his bid for renomination to agribusinessman Nate Sheets (R) by a 53% to 47% margin, a big upset. Democrats nominated state Rep. Gina Hinojosa (D) to face Gov. Greg Abbott (R) in November.
In the hotly contested U.S. Senate race, Sen. John Cornyn (R) leads Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) 42% to 41%. They will face off in the May runoff.
FLORIDA: A new University of North Florida poll finds U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds (R) leading former U.S. Rep. David Jolly (D) 42% to 36%, and ahead of Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings (D) 43% to 36%. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) won re-election by 19 points in 2022. (Orlando Sentinel)
CALIFORNIA: State Democratic Party chairman Rusty Hicks wrote an open letter to gubernatorial candidates on Tuesday urging them to drop out of the race if they don’t have a clear path to victory. Recent polling has shown two Republicans near the top of the all-party primary field, raising the possibility that Democrats could be locked out of the top-two general election. The candidate filing deadline is Friday. (Pluribus News)
By The Numbers
$1,000: The amount homeowners in Portland, Ore., could receive from the city if they agree to rent spare rooms in their homes for 12 months. Homeowners must use one of two platforms, PadSplit or the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, for rents not to exceed $800 a month. (Willamette Week)
$3.198: The average cost of a gallon of gasoline in the United States, up nine cents from yesterday and 30 cents from a month ago, amid the ongoing war with Iran. (AAA)
$93.7 million: The amount of money from marijuana excise taxes Michigan will distribute to cities, counties and tribes this year, down from $99.5 million last year amid slumping sales. (BridgeMI)
Off The Wall
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has inducted new members of the state’s Hall of Fame, including former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), track star Carl Lewis, actress Jamie Lee Curtis and the late former U.S. Rep. John L. Burton (D), a longtime staple of Sacramento politics. (Governor’s Office)
Connecticut lawmakers are considering a bill to allow bars and restaurants to serve THC-infused beverages. The drinks are only legally available at cannabis retailers and liquor stores. (CT Insider)
A network outage that caused government offices in Medina County, Ohio, to lose internet services for several hours was the result of a hungry squirrel. County officials said the squirrel built a nest inside fiber infrastructure and chewed through several lines. “It’s hard to make this stuff up,” administrator Matt Springer told the county commission. (UPI)
Quote of the Day
“I may not be the one that needs to call a recount at that point.”
— North Carolina Senate President Phil Berger (R), who trails in his re-election bid by two votes. There may be dozens of provisional ballots left to count. (State Affairs)