Good morning, it’s Thursday, April 23, 2026. In today’s edition, Trump admin pressures states on AI bills; Virginia redistricting measure on hold; new polls in Oregon, Rhode Island, New Mexico:
Top Stories
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: The Trump administration is pressuring more states to squelch bills to regulate AI, contacting lawmakers in Louisiana, Missouri and Tennessee in recent weeks. President Trump issued an executive order in December warning states about potential lawsuits and cuts to broadband funding if they enforce “onerous and excessive” AI laws. Florida lawmakers are expected to take up an AI bill of rights backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) when they meet for special session next week. (Pluribus News)
MORE: California lawmakers have introduced legislation to hold manufacturers of autonomous vehicles liable for moving violations committed by driverless cars. The measure has won approval in two Assembly committees. It would hold manufacturers responsible for violations even if someone is seated behind the wheel, depending on the level of automation engaged at the time. (Sacramento Bee)
REDISTRICTING: A Tazewell County Circuit Court judge has blocked the state from certifying results from Tuesday’s congressional map referendum, calling the vote unconstitutional. The state Supreme Court has overturned two previous orders against the referendum from the same court, though it will still hear arguments in those cases. Attorney General Jay Jones (D) vowed to appeal. (WJLA)
ABORTION: The South Carolina Senate Medical Affairs Committee has approved legislation that would send women who obtain an abortion to prison for up to two years. The bill bans abortion from the onset of pregnancy with no exceptions. Sen. Tom Davis (R) vowed to filibuster the bill on the Senate floor. (SC Daily Gazette)
MEDICAID: Republican lawmakers in Missouri, Oklahoma and South Dakota are moving to alter or scrap voter-approved ballot measures to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Legislators in all three states would have to seek voter permission to repeal the existing amendments. (South Dakota Searchlight)
ENERGY: The Tennessee House has approved legislation requiring owners and operators of large data centers to pay for utility upgrades needed to support their electricity needs. It would prohibit rate increases for residential or other commercial customers caused by data center demands. (State Affairs)
DEI/ENVIRONMENT: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has signed legislation barring local governments from promoting diversity, equity and inclusion programs, and from efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The environmental bill bars local governments from using net-zero policies to reduce emissions. The DEI measure subjects local officials who promote such programs to possible removal from office. (State Affairs)
In Politics & Business
NEW MEXICO: An Emerson College poll finds former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland (D) leading Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman (D) 40%-24% in the Democratic primary for governor. On the GOP side, Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull (R) takes 21%, ahead of former state Human Services Secretary Duke Rodriguez (R) at 10% and businessman Doug Turner (R) at 9%. Fully 61% of GOP voters are undecided. (Emerson)
RHODE ISLAND: A poll conducted by Expedition Strategies for the Rhode Island League of Public Charter Schools shows former CVS executive Helena Foulkes (D) leading Gov. Dan McKee (D) in the Democratic primary by a 26% to 14% margin. Another 6% chose restaurant owner Gregory Stevens. A majority of primary voters, 54%, say they are undecided. (Providence Journal)
OREGON: A new Nelson Research poll finds state Sen. Christine Drazan (R) leading the GOP primary field for governor with 31% of the vote, ahead of the 16% who back state Rep. Ed Diehl (R) and 15% who support former Portland Trail Blazer Chris Dudley (R). About 30% say they are undecided. (Oregonian)
ILLINOIS: The state House has approved a bill that would create a priority list of rules state lawmakers would have to consider when drawing legislative district map lines to ensure minority representation in the legislature. If the Senate concurs by May 3, the measure would be put on the November ballot. (Capitol News Illinois)
MINNESOTA: State Sen. Matt Klein (D) has apologized for wagering $50 in an online prediction market on a congressional race in which he is a candidate. Klein paid a $540 penalty. The prediction market, Kalshi, said he had been suspended from the platform for five years. (MPR News)
The irony: Klein has supported banning prediction markets while in the legislature.
PEOPLE: Former U.S. Sen. John Seymour (R-Calif.) has died at 88. Seymour represented part of Orange County in the California state Senate before being appointed to his seat in Washington. He lost the race for a full term to Dianne Feinstein (D) in 1992. (Sacramento Bee)
By The Numbers
$14.4 billion: The amount states are spending every year on preschools. Enrollment in state-funded preschools rose to 1.8 million children last year, including 37% of 4-year olds and 10% of 3-year olds. (Denver Post)
Up to 1 million: The amount of water, in acre-feet, the Upper Colorado River Commission has authorized releasing from Flaming Gorge to bolster Lake Powell. The water level at Lake Powell is so low it could fall below the amount needed to generate hydro power as soon as August. (Salt Lake Tribune)
283: The number of state parks California has, after establishing three new parks in the Central Valley. California has more state parks than any other state by far. (Los Angeles Times)
Off The Wall
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s (R) office is responsible for reporting and distributing unclaimed property to state residents. The unclaimed property database shows Rokita himself is owed $151.32 in refunds and donations to his political campaigns. Indiana Pacers legend Reggie Miller is owed $49.14 from an unclaimed check from Warner Brothers, while former Colts quarterback Andrew Luck is owed $38.57 from NBC Universal. (Indiana Capital Chronicle)
We’re guessing Luck’s check comes from his appearance on Parks & Recreation, right?
A California woman has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges after bragging on social media that she registered her dog to vote, and subsequently cast several ballots in the dog’s name. The dog, Maya Jean Yourex, voted in the 2021 gubernatorial recall election and the 2022 primary. (Los Angeles Times)
The town of Ellerbe, N.C., will unveil a roadside marker today honoring Andre The Giant, the wrestling superstar who lived on a ranch just outside of town where he raised cattle. A local museum displays a pair of his size-26 cowboy boots. (Associated Press)
Quote of the Day
“I’m the billionaire who wants to tax other billionaires.”
— Former hedge fund manager Tom Steyer (D), during the first California gubernatorial debate following former U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell’s (D) departure from the race. (Los Angeles Times)