N.C.’s Last-Ditch Medicaid Expansion Push; Don’t Slip on Michigan’s Sidewalks
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper AP Photo / Chuck Burton
Connecting state and local government leaders
Connecticut government braces for revenue estimates; N.Y. gov. attempts to privatize horse-racing again; AFSCME may strike in Illinois
MEDICAID | State and federal officials moved to have a North Carolina judge lift a temporary restraining order on Gov. Roy Cooper’s plan to expand Medicaid before President Barack Obama leaves office. “There’s no question if this was an honest or legal attempt to expand Obamacare, they would have no problem waiting four more days until President Donald J. Trump was sworn into office,” state Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger wrote on Facebook. [The News & Observer]
SIDEWALKS | Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder recently signed a bill into law increasing state and local government protections against personal injury claims on sidewalks, if the offending hazard is found to have been “open and obvious.” Opponents argue local government will be less likely to repair hazards as a result. [Macomb Daily via Daily Tribune]
REVENUE | Connecticut’s revenue estimates are due out today, possibly showing large capital gains for millionaires and billionaires in the stock market post President-elect Donald Trump’s win. Those numbers are critical to Gov. Dannel Malloy as he crafts his next two-year budget for a February release. [Hartford Courant]
HORSERACING | New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo plans to propose privatizing the New York Racing Association, controlled by state appointees since 2012, in his next budget. A new board of directors and increased oversight by the state Franchise Oversight Board are provided for. [Capitol Confidential / Times Union]
STRIKES | Illinois government employees belonging to the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 have taken preliminary steps toward a strike with Gov. Bruce Rauner able to implement a wage freeze and double healthcare premiums. AFSCME wants him to return to the bargaining table, even though he doesn’t have to and hasn’t shown a willingness to. [WTTW]
BOYCOTTS | Not even the Wyoming legislature is immune to the Boycott, Investment and Sanctions movement against Israel, and now a rabbi wants lawmakers to take a stand against it by barring state government from doing business with companies protesting the country’s treatment of Palestine. [Casper Star-Tribune]
INAUGURATIONS | Delaware’s lone U.S. representative the last several years, John Carney, became the state’s 74th governor upon his swearing-in Tuesday. [Delaware 105.9]
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