Good morning, it’s Friday, August 9, 2024. In today’s edition, GOP braces for another onslaught of abortion ads; Texas Gov orders hospitals to collect immigration data; California Dem switches parties:
Top Stories
ABORTION: In the two years since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade, Democrats have used the decision and subsequent GOP efforts to restrict abortion rights as an effective political weapon, overperforming in the midterms, special elections and last year’s Virginia legislative races. Now, Republicans are preparing for a new onslaught of attack ads portraying them as the villains straight out of “The Handmaid’s Tale.”
But the GOP has yet to alight on an effective counterpunch. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s (R) gambit of settling on a 15-week ban as a “reasonable” and “common sense” didn’t work. And Republicans openly acknowledge that more restrictive bans will cost swing-district members their seats.
The best Republicans can hope for is that this year’s election is fought on issues more squarely on their turf — immigration, inflation and crime. But Democrats have no intention of allowing the GOP to pick the playing field. Expect Democratic candidates from around the country to repeat the playbook that has worked so well in the past. Read more at Pluribus News.
In case you missed it, watch our wrap-up from the National Conference of State Legislatures’ annual Legislative Summit.
ENVIRONMENT: Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo (R) has unveiled a 33-page Climate Innovation Plan aimed at removing red tape for clean energy projects and bolstering production of minerals meant to transition away from fossil fuels. Lombardo’s spokesperson said the plan would reduce carbon emissions “without providing an unrealistic timeline for reduction.” (Las Vegas Review-Journal, Nevada Independent)
IMMIGRATION: Fifteen Republican attorneys general filed suit in an effort to stop the Biden administration from expanding health care access to DACA recipients by making them eligible for the Affordable Care Act’s insurance marketplace. The suit, led by Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach (R), challenges a Department of Health and Human Services rule set to take effect Nov. 1. (Kansas Reflector)
MORE: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has signed an executive order requiring public hospitals to collect information on the immigration status of patients. The order is meant to track costs incurred for the care of undocumented migrants. (Texas Tribune)
WORKFORCE: Acting New Jersey Gov. Tahesha Way (R) has signed legislation creating new fines for employers who threaten workers based on immigration status to cover up labor violations. The new law would impose a $1,000 fine for first offenses and up to $10,000 in fines for multiple offenses. (New Jersey Monitor)
In Politics & Business
CALIFORNIA: State Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil has left the Democratic Party, and her position chairing the Senate Human Services Committee, to become a Republican. Alvarado-Gil said she was fed up with Democrats over a debate on criminal justice reform that took place earlier this year. (Sacramento Bee)
FLORIDA: The state Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on Sept. 12 in a case challenging congressional district lines. The case, brought by voting rights organizations including the League of Women Voters and Black Voters Matter, seeks to reestablish a Black-majority seat that spanned from Jacksonville to Tallahassee. (Tallahassee Democrat)
MISSOURI: Voters on Tuesday approved a statewide constitutional amendment requiring Kansas City to spend at least a quarter of its budget on police, up from 20%. Kansas City is the only city in the state that doesn’t have local control of its police department. (Associated Press)
MORE: Gov. Mike Parson (R) is headed to Panama for a trade mission, his third trip since May. Parson, who is retiring after his second term, headed to Italy in May and to the United Kingdom and Belgium in July. (KRCG)
By The Numbers
$60,000: The annual housing stipend granted to Idaho Gov. Brad Little (R). Idaho is one of five states without a governor’s mansion, after it gave up a residence in the Boise Foothills in 2013. State lawmakers are considering building a permanent mansion, which would cost less than the ongoing housing stipend. (Boise State Public Radio)
$6,329: The amount of debt the average American consumer owes in credit card debt, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Americans collectively owe $1.14 trillion in credit card debt, up 4.8% over last year. (CNBC)
Off The Wall
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) declared yesterday California Panda Day to honor the debut of Yun Chuan and Xin Ban, the first giant pandas sent to the San Diego Zoo in decades. Yun Chuan is the son of Zhen Zhen, a panda born at the San Diego Zoo in 2007. (Los Angeles Times)
An air taxi service plans to launch at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles International Airport and SoFi Stadium ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The FAA has cleared the Santa Clara-based Archer Aviation to test its multi-propeller air taxis that are quieter than helicopters. The company is also planning to launch service in Chicago and Newark. (Los Angeles Times)
Quote of the Day
“I want to see results. I don’t want to read about them. I don’t want to see the data. I want to see it.”
— California Gov. Newsom, threatening to withhold money from local governments that fail to clean up homeless encampments. (Associated Press)