Governors Spotlight: Gun Laws, Anti-Spoofing, COVID-19 Relief & More

Newsom Urges TX-Style Law on Guns:

Saying he is “outraged” at the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a Texas law that bans almost all abortion and allows private citizens to sue to enforce it, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) called on Golden State lawmakers and state Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) to devise a similar statute on illegal guns.

In a statement, Newsom said he wants a measure that grants residents a private right of action “against anyone who manufactures, distributes, or sells an assault weapon or ghost gun kit or parts in the State of California.” 

Newsom said the SCOTUS decision on the Texas law has given states the go ahead to create similar laws that will be immune from federal review.

“If states can now shield their laws from review by the federal courts that compare assault weapons to Swiss Army knives, then California will use that authority to protect people’s lives, where Texas used it to put women in harm’s way,” Newsom said.

FL Gov Pitches TX-Style Law on CRT:

California isn’t the only state looking to copy the format of the Texas law – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has proposed a bill that would allow parents to sue schools teaching critical race theory in the classroom. His proposal would give parents “private right of action” to sue schools they believe are teaching critical race theory and let them collect attorneys’ fees if they win. The proposal would also apply to the workplace.

IL Gov Signs Health, Gun Bills:

Illinois Gov. J.B Pritzker (D) signed a measure that streamlined the pathway for allocating $250 million in state funds for groups who seek to ease gun violence in the Prairie State. Pritzker signed the bill creating the fund in the spring, but a budget trailer was necessary to clear some bureaucratic hurdles to getting the money out to those groups. The governor also signed a measure (HB 3401) that allows for the state licensure and certification of midwives, a move he called “a victory decades in the making and one that recognizes the full worth and value of midwives in reproductive care.”   

MI Gov Orders Auto Insurance Refunds:

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) set May 9^th as the deadline for auto insurers to issue refunds to Wolverine State motorists. Whitmer called for the rebates as funds in the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association, a nonprofit corporation controlled by the insurance industry, exceeded $5 billion.

Cuomo Must Forfeit Book Money:

The New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics ordered former Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) to return all profits from a memoir he wrote detailing his leadership during the pandemic. The Commission voted 12-1 to strip him of all proceeds, saying he had received approval for the book deal under false pretense. The issue is complicated by the fact the former governor has already donated $500,000 of the $5.1 million advance to charity and placed $1 million into a trust fund for his daughters. Cuomo is expected to challenge the decision in court.

WA Gov Pushes EV Rebates:

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) unveiled a proposal to grant $100 million in state-funded rebates to car buyers who purchase electric vehicles. Inslee’s proposal would grant buyers of new zero-emissions vehicles $7,500 for models that have a list price of up to $80,000 for vans and $55,000 for sedans. Used zero-emission vehicle buyers could see rebates of $5,000 and $1,000 for the purchase of zero-emission motorcycle or electric bike. Rebates would be available with incomes up to $250,000 or $500,000 for a household.

OH Gov Signs Anti-Spoofing Bill:

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) signed legislation that bans so-called “spoofing” calls, which use fraudulent caller ID information. The measure also increases penalties against spoofing, making such calls to an elderly person, a disabled adult, a person in the military or the spouse of a person in the military a fourth-degree penalty.

MA Gov Signs Off on $4B COVID Relief Bill:

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) signed off on a bill to allocate $4 billion in COVID relief funds, with dollars being used on everything from housing to health care to direct payments for low-wage workers who were on the frontlines of the pandemic. Allocations include over $500 million for housing and $65 million in new homeownership assistance.

SF Requires Sick Leave for Domestic Workers:

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved a first-in-the-nation measure to require nannies, gardeners, cleaners and other domestic workers to receive paid sick leave. The law is expected to impact approximately 10,000 workers who perform such tasks in private homes.

-- Compiled by RICH EHISEN