Good morning, it’s Monday, April 14, 2025. Make sure to get those taxes in the mail. In today’s edition, Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro targeted by arsonist; Iowa Gov. Reynolds won’t run again; social media bills stall in face of industry opposition:
Top Stories
SOCIAL MEDIA: Lawmakers have introduced more than 100 bills this year relating to social media and youth online safety, though early progress has stalled in many states in the face of industry lobbying. Bills to include safety warnings on social media sites remain alive in California, Minnesota, New York and Texas. (Pluribus News) Legislation requiring age verification for social media accounts advanced in the Nebraska legislature. (Nebraska Examiner)
MORE: The Minnesota Senate Taxes Committee held hearings last week on legislation to pay a graduated tax based on the number of users they have in the state. Companies with between 100,000 and 500,000 users would pay 10 cents per month per user. Platforms with between 500,000 and 1 million users would be charged $40,000 per month plus 25 cents per user over 500,000. Companies with more than 1 million users would pay $165,000 per month plus 50 cents for every user over 1 million. (Fargo Forum)
IMMIGRATION: The New Hampshire House has approved legislation banning sanctuary policies that limit cooperation between local law enforcement and federal officials. New Hampshire would be the first New England state to ban sanctuary policies. (Boston Globe)
PUBLIC HEALTH: Louisiana lawmakers returning to session today will consider a sweeping food nutrition bill based on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again initiatives. Sen. Patrick McMath (R) has introduced legislation to ban the purchase of soft drinks using SNAP funds, prohibiting ultra-processed ingredients in public schools and requiring restaurants to disclose if they cook with seed oils. (Baton Rouge Advocate)
HEALTH CARE: Drug maker AbbVie is suing to block a new South Dakota law that bars companies from limiting drug discounts. The legislation bans drug makers from limiting the number of pharmacies that hospitals and clinics can contract with to distribute drugs through the federal 340B program. (South Dakota Searchlight)
EDUCATION: The New Hampshire House has approved legislation requiring school districts to admit students from anywhere in the state. The bill would require districts to publicly post and update a list of open seats in each school and grade level. Parents would be able to apply where openings exist. (Concord Monitor)
CONSUMER PROTECTION: The Oregon House has unanimously approved legislation barring auto dealers from changing the terms of loan agreements in the two weeks after a buyer agrees to purchase a vehicle. Current law gives dealers 14 days to find an institution to finance an auto loan, during which time they can change terms to leave customers with higher interest rates than promised. (Oregonian)
In Politics & Business
PENNSYLVANIA: State police on Sunday arrested a 38-year old Harrisburg man who allegedly set fire to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s (D) official residence. Authorities said the suspect would be charged with attempted murder and terrorism in connection with the arson attack, which took place around 2 a.m. Sunday morning, hours after the Shapiro family celebrated Passover at the Governor’s Mansion. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
Scary stuff here. We’re glad the Shapiro family is alright.
IOWA: Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) said Friday she will not seek re-election in 2026. Attorney General Brenna Bird (R) hinted at a possible run to replace Reynolds, though she has yet to enter the race. Auditor Rob Sand (D) is expected to run next year; he’s already raised more than $8 million for his campaign. (Iowa Capital Dispatch, Des Moines Register)
NEVADA: Former Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) is considering a comeback bid in 2026, he said in several interviews published over the weekend. Sisolak lost his job to Gov. Joe Lombardo (R) by a 1.5% margin in 2022, the only Democratic governor to lose his seat that year. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
CALIFORNIA: Assemblymember Marc Berman (D) has introduced legislation requiring counties to finish counting ballots within ten days of an election. The measure provides exceptions for provisional ballots and mail-in ballots that have a problem, like a missing signature. The measure is aimed at speeding up the counting process, which can take forever in California. (Sacramento Bee)
CRIME BLOTTER: Federal authorities have arrested Massachusetts Rep. Christopher Flanagan (D) on wire fraud charges related to an alleged theft of tens of thousands of dollars from his employer. Charging documents allege Flanagan spent the money to pay for his campaign, for clothes and appliances, and for a psychic. (Boston Globe)
Guess the psychic never saw it coming.
By The Numbers
About $337 billion: The size of the two-year spending plan the Texas House approved on Friday. The spending plan leaves about $40 billion in expected revenues unspent. (Texas Tribune)
More than $450 million: The amount New York State spent on medical equipment that went unused during the Covid pandemic, according to a new state audit. The vast majority of that equipment is still sitting in state storage facilities. (Albany Times Union)
$3.4 billion: The estimated loss in revenue caused by a steep decline in tourism from Canada to the United States, according to the analytics firm Tourism Economics. Travel from Canada is expected to drop 20% this year. (Politico)
Off The Wall
Snack brand Hostess will launch a Route 4/20 road trip, sending its Munchie Mobile on a path from New York City to Groton and Stamford, Conn. The Munchie Mobile will offer Twinkies, Ding Dongs and Donettes to celebrate the unofficial marijuana-themed holiday. (Hartford Business Journal)
Visitors to the Capybara Cafe in St. Augustine, Fla., can hang out with the cuddly South American rodents while they slurp their coffee. Reservations run $49 per half-hour or $99 for a full hour, and they’re booked months in advance. (Associated Press)
Quote of the Day
“The question should not be how many more symbols we can collect — but whether we are meeting the moment with the gravity it demands.”
— New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D), vetoing a bill naming the tortilla the official state bread. Grisham thought lawmakers should spend their time on weightier matters. (Associated Press)