This Week in FOCUS - August 22, 2024

Georgia governor doubles down on Medicaid program with work requirement despite slow start

The Associated Press

Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp Monday defended and doubled down on his signature Medicaid program’s work requirement, further dimming chances the state could adopt a broader expansion of the taxpayer-funded low-income health plan without a work mandate any time soon. Georgia Pathways requires all recipients to show that they performed at least 80 hours of work, volunteer activity, schooling or vocational rehabilitation in a month to qualify.

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State legislature approves $10 billion plan that will appear on the 2024 ballot — here’s what it could fund

The Cool Down

California’s November 2024 election ballot will include a $10 billion equity-focused climate resilience bond. The proposal aims to “protect Californians suffering the real-time devastating and often deadly consequences of climate change.” At least 40 percent of the $10 billion proposal will go toward disadvantaged communities in California, according to the news outlet. The legislature will apply funds to eight different categories related to climate resilience.

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Alaska Supreme Court to hear arguments in case seeking to keep ranked vote repeal measure off ballot

The Associated Press

The Alaska Supreme Court is set to hear a case Thursday that will decide whether a measure to repeal the state’s new open primary and ranked choice general election system will remain on the November ballot. The parties arguing the case in Anchorage are seeking a ruling from the state’s high court by September 3.

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California and Michigan are in regular session.

The following states are in recess until the dates provided: New Jersey (September 12), the Pennsylvania Senate (September 16) and House (September 23) and Ohio (November 13). The U.S. Congress is in recess until September 9 and the District of Columbia Council is in recess until September 16.

North Carolina passed an adjournment resolution that calls for the regular session to reconvene periodically through December. The legislature adjourned a session on August 1 and is scheduled to hold another session on September 9.

Colorado Democratic Gov. Jared Polis announced a special session set for August 26 to address property taxes. According to KDVR, two property tax initiatives are currently on the ballot for November and lawmakers have been negotiating property tax measures in the hopes of removing the potentially risky ballot initiatives. With the deadline to remove the initiatives in early September, Governor Polis plans to call lawmakers to act on property taxes during the special session, with potential measures reducing the state’s property tax rate or capping annual property tax revenue growth at four percent.

Nebraska adjourned its special session on August 20 after passing a modest tax relief bill. According to the Nebraska Examiner, legislators passed a bill that will provide $185 million in new tax relief, but the package is much smaller than the relief requested by Republican Gov. Jim Pillen. Governor Pillen aimed to reduce property taxes by 50 percent, but the bill is likely to only cut property taxes by 20 percent.

Utah held an emergency special session on August 21 to pass a resolution to potentially amend the state constitution. According to Yahoo News, the special session was called in response to the state’s Supreme Court ruling in July that the legislature overstepped the law when it repealed a ballot initiative passed in 2018 that formed an independent commission to create statewide voting district boundaries. During the one-day session, legislators passed a resolution that approved a ballot measure for the November election. The ballot measure would amend the state’s constitution to clarify the scope of citizens’ ability to reform the government through ballot referendums and ban foreigners from influencing or supporting any referendums. If signed by Republican Gov. Spencer Cox, voters will decide on the possible amendment to the state constitution in November.

Alaska Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy has 20 days from presentment, excluding Sundays, to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. Delaware Democratic Gov. John Carney has 10 days from presentment, excluding Sundays, to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. Illinois Democratic Gov J.B. Pritzker has 60 days from presentment to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. Massachusetts Democratic Gov. Maura Healey has 10 days from presentment to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. New Hampshire Republican Gov. Chris Sununu has five days from presentment, excluding Sundays, to act on legislation or it is pocket vetoed. New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul has 10 days from presentment, excluding Sundays, to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. Rhode Island Democratic Gov. Daniel McKee has six days from presentment, excluding Sundays, to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature. Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee has 10 days from presentment, excluding Sundays, to act on legislation or it becomes law without signature.

Interim Committees/Prefiles

The following states are currently holding interim committee hearings: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois House and Senate, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi House and Senate, Missouri House and Senate, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire House and Senate, New Mexico, New York Assembly, North Dakota, Oklahoma House and Senate, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas House, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming.

The following states are currently posting bill drafts, prefiles and interim studies: Alabama, Florida, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma House and Senate and Utah.