Good morning, it’s Monday, April 21, 2025. In today’s edition, the next front in the pharmacy lobbying wars; Iowa bans police oversight boards; the senator who wrapped a colleague’s car in plastic:
Top Stories
HEALTH CARE: State lawmakers are turning their attention to pharmacy services administrative organizations, or PSAOs, who contract with independent pharmacies to help negotiate with drug wholesalers. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) signed legislation earlier this month requiring PSAOs to report reimbursement rates and fees. Arkansas lawmakers approved a bill to regulate PSAOs, while bills are pending in Mississippi, New York and Oregon. (Pluribus News)
The next front in the mammoth lobbying fight over drug prices.
PUBLIC HEALTH: The Florida House and Senate have unanimously approved legislation requiring hospitals to test for fentanyl in cases of suspected overdose or poisoning. The bill is meant to ensure consistent lifesaving care across hospitals. (Florida Politics)
PUBLIC SAFETY: The Iowa House has given final approval to legislation banning citizen police review boards that provide oversight of local law enforcement. The measure would apply to existing boards in Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Ames, Coralville and Dubuque. (Des Moines Register)
GUN POLITICS: Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) has signed legislation requiring ammunition to be accessible to customers only with the help of a store employee. The law prohibits the sale of ammunition to those under 18. (Denver Post)
EDUCATION: Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) is urging the Senate to adopt the House-passed version of voucher legislation, forgoing negotiations between chambers in order to speed the bill’s passage. The Senate approved its version, with only minor differences to the House version, in February. (Texas Tribune)
MORE: A bipartisan pair of Delaware senators has introduced legislation barring the removal of books from public and school libraries for identity-based, ideological or religious reasons. The bill would require school districts to develop policies and procedures to review objections to library material. (Delaware Public Media)
MINIMUM WAGE: Nebraska senators have reached a compromise to slow down annual minimum wage increases approved by voters in 2022. The compromise will see wages rise by 1.75% in perpetuity; voters approved an annual increase of $1.50, sending the wage up to $15 an hour by 2026, before allowing for annual cost of living adjustments. (Nebraska Examiner)
TAXES: The Washington Senate approved legislation raising $3.2 billion in taxes over the next two-year cycle. The state House is expected to vote today on raising the state business tax, imposing a new tax on rented self-storage units and adding a tax on electric vehicle credits sold between automakers. (Washington State Standard)
It’s not clear Gov. Bob Ferguson (D) would sign the tax hikes. Ferguson called the plan “unsustainable” and “too risky” in comments last week.
In Politics & Business
GEORGIA: State Sen. Jason Esteves (D) said Monday he would run for governor in 2026. He joins former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) in the race to replace Gov. Brian Kemp (R), who faces term limits. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
NEW MEXICO: Former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Judith Nakamura (R) is considering a run for governor in 2026. Nakamura would join Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull (R) in the GOP primary. (Santa Fe New Mexican)
ARIZONA: U.S. Sens. Mark Kelly (D) and Ruben Gallego (D) are threatening to cut off aid to the state Democratic Party over the chairman’s choice of a new executive director. Party chair Robert Branscomb overruled a search committee to tap former party official Michael Rupp for the top job. In a joint statement, Kelly, Gallego, Gov. Katie Hobbs (D), Secretary of State Adrian Fontes (D) and Attorney General Kris Mayes (D) said they had lost trust in Branscomb. (Arizona Republic)
Dems in disarray!
NEBRASKA: The state Republican Party must pay former legislative candidate Janet Palmtag $500,000 in damages after political mailers claimed she “broke the law.” Palmtag said she had lost business after being defamed during her campaign. (Nebraska Examiner)
PEOPLE: Washington Sen. Bill Ramos (D) died suddenly this weekend. He was 69. (Seattle Times) Rhode Island Senate President Dominick Ruggerio (D) died Monday after a long illness, a spokesman said in a press release. He was 76. (Providence Journal) Our thoughts are with the Washington and Rhode Island political families today.
By The Numbers
8: Of the top ten most trade-reliant states that voted for President Trump in 2024, including Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, South Carolina, Texas, Michigan and Georgia. Illinois and New Jersey are the two most trade-dependent blue states. (Pluribus News)
1.06 million: The number of shares in Tesla owned by New Jersey Pension Fund D. Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop (D), a candidate for governor, wants the state to divest from Elon Musk’s company. (New Jersey Globe)
99: The number of initial applications for licenses to operate cannabis lounges in Nevada. But the industry is hurting: Only one state-licensed consumption lounge is in operation today. (Nevada Independent)
Off The Wall
Michigan Sens. Julie Brixie (D) and Matt Maddock (R) are feuding over a parking space. Brixie said in a statement that Maddock had parked partially in her spot, so that no one would hit his car — so she covered the car in plastic wrap to give him “an extra layer of protection.” (Michigan Advance)
Vermont resident Flo Meiler wowed competitors at the Masters Indoor World Championships in Gainesville, Fla., last month by taking home eight gold medals in her age category, including the triple jump, the hurdles and pentathlon. Meiler, 90, didn’t begin her track and field career until her 60s. (VT Digger)
Quote of the Day
“I’ve never really paid attention to whose name it is, but I will now, and I know my grandkids will like that, so that’s gonna be — that’s gonna be nice.”
— Georgia Sen. Brandon Beach (R), President Trump’s appointee to be U.S. Treasurer, on having his signature printed on money. (Georgia Public Broadcasting)