Good morning, it’s Monday, June 2, 2025. In today’s edition, Texas advances AI bill, immigration measure; Connecticut passes big housing package; Trump to hold rally for New Jersey governor candidate:
Top Stories
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: The Texas House has approved a measure establishing regulations on the use of AI systems in government, banning government agencies from using AI for “social scoring.” The measure bans AI systems built with an intent to discriminate and preempts local AI ordinances. (Pluribus News)
ENERGY: The Texas legislature has given final sign-off to legislation increasing oversight of the state’s largest energy consumers. The bill would give the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the state’s main grid manager, the authority to cut power to large consumers during an emergency. (Associated Press)
IMMIGRATION: The Texas legislature has approved a bill requiring most sheriffs to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The bill applies to sheriffs who run or contract out operations of a jail to enter into enforcement agreements with ICE, a provision that applies to about 234 of the 254 counties in the state. (Texas Tribune)
LGBTQ RIGHTS: The Texas House has given final approval to legislation banning schools from authorizing or sponsoring student clubs based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill also bans diversity, equity and inclusion programs in schools. (Texas Tribune)
HOUSING: The Connecticut legislature has given final approval to housing legislation that bans minimum off-street parking requirements for residential developments; sets goals for affordable housing units for municipalities; and requires towns to allow developers to convert commercial buildings to residential use without special planning and zoning hearings. (CT Mirror)
MORE: Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) has vetoed a measure banning the use of computer algorithms to set rent prices. Polis said the bill would unintentionally ban the use of legitimate technologies by landlords; he said collusion to bolster rent prices are already illegal under state antitrust laws. (Colorado Sun)
PUBLIC HEALTH: The Connecticut House has approved an omnibus public health measure codifying current federal guidance on fluoride in drinking water into state law. The House version omits a Senate-passed provision that would have created safe injection sites, after Gov. Ned Lamont (D) threatened to veto the entire bill. (CT Mirror)
GUN POLITICS: The Connecticut Senate has approved a bill allowing civil lawsuits against gun manufacturers, marketers and retailers who fail to take “reasonable controls” against selling guns to traffickers or straw buyers. Gov. Lamont has signaled he will sign the bill. (Hartford Courant)
STADIUMS: Missouri lawmakers are returning to special session today to consider an incentive package to keep the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals on their side of the border. Legislation to cap the state’s share of construction costs at 50% failed in the last week of the regular session. (St. Louis Public Radio)
In Politics & Business
2028: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) has met with top advisors to former presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden as he considers his own bid for president in 2028. Moore, who addressed the South Carolina Democratic convention this weekend, has repeatedly said he isn’t running. (Baltimore Sun)
“Isn’t” in the present tense. Not the future tense.
NEW JERSEY: President Trump is holding a telephone town hall rally on Monday for former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli (R), the Republican gubernatorial candidate Trump has endorsed. Early voting ahead of the June 10 primary begins Tuesday. (NJ Advance Media)
UTAH: State Democrats have chosen former state Rep. Brian King (D) to chair the party ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. King lost a long-shot challenge to Gov. Spencer Cox (R) last November. (Salt Lake Tribune)
PEOPLE: Former Florida House Speaker John Thrasher (R) has died at 81. After a long career in the House and Senate, Thrasher served as president of Florida State University. (Associated Press)
By The Numbers
214: The number of Latinas who hold seats in state legislatures across the country, an all-time record. The Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University found the number of Black, Asian American and Pacific Islander women in legislative seats all stand at record highs. (The 19th)
10%: The maximum amount a landlord in Washington can raise rents next year, under a new law the legislature approved last month. The state Department of Commerce determines annual rent caps of 7% plus inflation. (Seattle Times)
Off The Wall
A rare gold lobster has been rescued from its fate as a delicious meal. A North Kingstown, R.I., restaurant donated the lobster to the Biomes Marine Biology Center. The center’s owner said only about one in every 30 million lobsters has such a golden hue. (Providence Journal)
Jefferson County, Colo., Sheriff’s deputies attempted to get a bobcat out of a resident’s living room the way any good cat owner would, by trying to get the animal to chase lasers. The bobcat, unfortunately, was “not impressed.” (UPI)
The mayor of Camilla, Ga., and two former election officials have been jailed on felony charges that allege they attempted to halt a local election after one of the mayor’s allies was disqualified from running. The two elections officials quit their jobs a day ahead of the election; Mayor Kelvin Owens then moved to cancel the election, claiming emergency powers. (Associated Press)
Quote of the Day
“Maybe it’s time for us to be a little meaner.”
— Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), addressing the South Carolina Democratic state convention as he tests a potential presidential run. (Associated Press)