States, Cities and Counties
Here's a look at documents covering state government, cities and counties
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Senate Republicans Emphasize Urgent Need to Protect Funding and Improve Arizona's Deadly Highway 347
PHOENIX, Arizona, Dec. 6 -- The Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus issued the following news release on Dec. 5, 2025:
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Senate Republicans Emphasize Urgent Need to Protect Funding and Improve Arizona's Deadly Highway 347
Senate Appropriations & Transportation Committee Chairman David Farnsworth and President Pro Tempore T.J. Shope are working to protect funding for State Route 347 amid potential budget cuts in the upcoming legislative session. It's essential to ensure ongoing improvements, as over 76% of Maricopa households rely on this route for daily commutes.
State Route 347 has
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PHOENIX, Arizona, Dec. 6 -- The Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus issued the following news release on Dec. 5, 2025:
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Senate Republicans Emphasize Urgent Need to Protect Funding and Improve Arizona's Deadly Highway 347
Senate Appropriations & Transportation Committee Chairman David Farnsworth and President Pro Tempore T.J. Shope are working to protect funding for State Route 347 amid potential budget cuts in the upcoming legislative session. It's essential to ensure ongoing improvements, as over 76% of Maricopa households rely on this route for daily commutes.
State Route 347 hasserved as Maricopa's primary connection to the Phoenix metro area for decades. Since it was last widened in the late 1990s, traffic volumes have surged, with the city's population growing from about 1,500 in 2003 to over 80,000 today. This corridor has seen nearly 1,000 crashes in recent years, more than 300 at the Riggs Road intersection. Planned upgrades include full corridor widening, a new overpass at Riggs Road, and intersection improvements. Supported by $50 million in local contributions, legislative appropriations, and funding from Proposition 479, these projects are critical. With potential budget cuts approaching, protecting these funds from reaching the chopping block is vital. Construction for the Pinal County widening segment is scheduled to begin in late 2026, marking progress for the community.
"SR 347 is essential for daily life in Maricopa; we cannot afford any delays when lives are at stake," said Chairman Farnsworth. "The Legislature has already shown its commitment by allocating funds in the budget, and we must work to protect that investment to ensure these projects are completed. Every improvement we make on this corridor brings us closer to preventing tragedies, supporting economic growth, and ensuring that Arizona families can travel safely for generations to come."
"The funding secured for the long-overdue improvements to SR 347 is essential--it is a lifeline," said President Pro Tempore Shope. "Every dollar represents a commitment to saving lives, strengthening our economy, and finally providing our community with the safe infrastructure it deserves. As budget discussions approach, we must not allow these critical investments to be cut. Protecting this funding is not only a sensible fiscal policy; it is a moral obligation to every driver who relies on this corridor to get home safely."
"Things are progressing nicely for the SR 347 projects since the approval to place it in the state's Five-Year Program in June," said City of Maricopa Mayor Nancy Smith. "The design is nearing completion, the project is out for bid, and construction will start soon. It is critical to keep all funding in place to allow this safety and capacity project to stay on track. We are incredibly appreciative of Senator Farnsworth's attention to the importance of this project."
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Original text here: https://www.azsenaterepublicans.gov/post/senate-republicans-emphasize-urgent-need-to-protect-funding-and-improve-arizona-s-deadly-highway-347
R.I. Gov. McKee: Washington Bridge Demolition Completed Ahead of Schedule
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, Dec. 6 -- Gov. Daniel J. McKee, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release on Dec. 5, 2025:
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Washington Bridge Demolition Completed Ahead of Schedule
With the substructure now demolished, the full demolition project is officially complete
Governor Dan McKee today announced the Washington Bridge project reached a major milestone ahead of schedule: the full demolition of the old bridge is complete.
"We continue to make progress on the Washington Bridge project, and reaching this major demolition milestone is an important step forward," said Governor Dan
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PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, Dec. 6 -- Gov. Daniel J. McKee, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release on Dec. 5, 2025:
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Washington Bridge Demolition Completed Ahead of Schedule
With the substructure now demolished, the full demolition project is officially complete
Governor Dan McKee today announced the Washington Bridge project reached a major milestone ahead of schedule: the full demolition of the old bridge is complete.
"We continue to make progress on the Washington Bridge project, and reaching this major demolition milestone is an important step forward," said Governor DanMcKee. "I know travelers are still feeling the frustration of traffic, and I want to assure them that we are fully committed to rebuilding this bridge as quickly as possible, with one of the nation's top bridge builders leading the work. We thank Rhode Islanders for their patience as we construct a new, safe bridge that will improve traffic flow and shorten commute times."
The full demolition project was completed in two major phases: first, the deck and superstructure, and then the substructure. The deck and the superstructure were removed between July 2024 and February 2025, finishing on schedule. Substructure demolition began in March 2025, with work on the underwater portions starting in July 2025 in accordance with environmental permits. The final phase wrapped up this week, ahead of schedule.
Throughout the course of the demolition, numerous precautions were taken, including strategically stationing barges to catch the debris and employing turbidity curtains to contain smaller debris. Sensors were deployed to monitor noise, dust, and vibration levels to ensure these remained within accepted limits.
Work on the new bridge continues to progress. Walsh Construction--one of the nation's leading bridge builders--has been mobilizing equipment and crews, securing permits, coordinating utility work, and advancing the bridge design. This includes detailed surveying and 3-D scanning to guide and refine the new bridge's final design.
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Original text here: https://governor.ri.gov/press-releases/washington-bridge-demolition-completed-ahead-schedule
N.C. State Treasurer: State Health Plan Outlines 2025 Highlights, Lays Out Strategies, Challenges for 2026
RALEIGH, North Carolina, Dec. 6 -- The North Carolina State Treasurer issued the following news release on Dec. 5, 2025:
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State Health Plan Outlines 2025 Highlights, Lays Out Strategies, Challenges for 2026
The State Health Plan (Plan) has completed a difficult year, but now is projecting that the massive deficit it was facing on Jan. 1 has been addressed. Today the State Health Plan (Plan) Board of Trustees heard from Plan staff and consultants on where things stand now and strategies underway for 2026.
"2025, I think we all knew, would be a tough year. There were a lot of challenges
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RALEIGH, North Carolina, Dec. 6 -- The North Carolina State Treasurer issued the following news release on Dec. 5, 2025:
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State Health Plan Outlines 2025 Highlights, Lays Out Strategies, Challenges for 2026
The State Health Plan (Plan) has completed a difficult year, but now is projecting that the massive deficit it was facing on Jan. 1 has been addressed. Today the State Health Plan (Plan) Board of Trustees heard from Plan staff and consultants on where things stand now and strategies underway for 2026.
"2025, I think we all knew, would be a tough year. There were a lot of challengesthe State Health Plan faced, and I think staff and the board have done a fantastic job addressing those head on," said State Treasurer Brad Briner, who chairs the Plan's Board of Trustees. "This was a true team effort, with legislators and providers working with us to get us back on track."
"2026 is going to be a more challenging year. We have a lot of big, ambitious goals for the year to improve the health of Plan members," said Thomas Friedman, Plan executive administrator. His top two goals for 2026 are to work on provider strategies and focus on expanding specialty care to make high-quality, lower-cost services more available to all Plan members.
With 70% of Plan members experiencing chronic health conditions, the Plan will continue to focus on long-term treatment to address obesity, diabetes, cancer and heart conditions, which are big cost drivers. As part of ongoing efforts to keep Plan members healthy at all stages of life, there will also be a new effort make OB-GYN care more accessible.
The board was briefed on the progress of Lantern, which is building a network of surgical providers; Hinge Health, a digital exercise therapy program; and Hello Heart, a digital heart preventative health program.
Segal Consulting also presented a 2024 Population Risk Report identifying prevalent and emerging health risks and outlining cost-control opportunities while improving the health of Plan members, and another report outlining the Plan's financial condition and projections for coming years.
Materials are posted to the Plan's website (https://www.shpnc.gov/documents/board-trustees/board-trustees-presentation-1252025/download?attachment).
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Original text here: https://www.nctreasurer.gov/news/press-releases/2025/12/05/state-health-plan-outlines-2025-highlights-lays-out-strategies-challenges-2026
Maine Gov. Mills Radio Address: Federal Government Must Address the Health Care Crisis
AUGUSTA, Maine, Dec. 6 -- Gov. Janet Mills, D-Maine, issued the following radio address:
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The Federal Government Must Address the Health Care Crisis
Hello, this is Governor Janet Mills, and thank you for listening.
Let's take a step back through our nation's history for a moment.
In the 1930s, it was the federal government that created the Social Security system, a lifeline for millions of people that was created after the Great Depression. It was in the 1950s that President Dwight D. Eisenhower, a Republican, created the Interstate Highway System, also a lifeline, a network of safe roads
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AUGUSTA, Maine, Dec. 6 -- Gov. Janet Mills, D-Maine, issued the following radio address:
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The Federal Government Must Address the Health Care Crisis
Hello, this is Governor Janet Mills, and thank you for listening.
Let's take a step back through our nation's history for a moment.
In the 1930s, it was the federal government that created the Social Security system, a lifeline for millions of people that was created after the Great Depression. It was in the 1950s that President Dwight D. Eisenhower, a Republican, created the Interstate Highway System, also a lifeline, a network of safe roadsconnecting Americans from coast to coast. It was the federal government that created the Civil Rights Act and sent a man to the moon.
Look, when the federal government finally recognizes the depth of a problem that requires a national solution, it can make historic changes that improve the lives of every American. Yet today, while millions of Americans are unable to afford basic life-saving health care, a universal need that requires federal action, the federal government does nothing. When it comes to one of the most fundamental needs of American families, the federal government is just standing down. In fact, in many respects, they're making health care less affordable, more costly.
Well, here in Maine, we've been working hard to expand health coverage for small businesses, for self-employed people, for families across Maine, and we've tried to make that coverage more affordable. On my first day in office, for instance, I expanded MaineCare in accordance with the will of the people. At one point, more than 100,000 people had health care through MaineCare expansion, which includes preventive care like cancer screenings.
We also expanded health care for children and mental health services across the state. And we enacted the Made for Maine Health Coverage Act, which established the state-based insurance marketplace, CoverME.gov, and which made many preventative care visits either free or at least less costly.
We were doing pretty well, but if the federal government allows enhanced health care tax credits to expire at the end of this month, health coverage for more than 60,000 people in Maine will be unaffordable. I wrote to Maine's Congressional Delegation back in September urging them to extend those tax credits. Now it's Open Enrollment time in Maine -- when people eligible for health insurance can sign up for health insurance for next year under the ACA -- and many people are already seeing their health insurance rates skyrocket.
One man from Cumberland said if his premiums increase, as he expects, health insurance will be the single largest expense for his family -- more than his mortgage. A woman in Dover-Foxcroft said she owns her own mental health practice, and that a loss of insurance reimbursement would make it impossible to keep her doors open. Well, that would not only leave her without a livelihood, but would also leave hundreds of her patients without access to care.
Well, there are so many stories all around Maine like this, and every one of them breaks my heart because it doesn't have to be this way. The bottom line is, without these health insurance tax credits, more people will be forced to go without health insurance because they can't afford it, and they'll delay care until they wind up in the emergency room or with medical debt that lasts a lifetime. Hospitals across Maine will have to bear more of the cost of uncompensated care or uninsured care because of many people going without insurance. Some of those health care providers may have to cut back services or even close, leaving many folks without access to care, and leaving communities without some of their largest employers.
It was good bipartisan federal action in the 1960s that created Medicare. It was bipartisan federal action that brought us the Interstate Highway System, the unemployment system, Social Security. The health care crisis in this country today begs for strong action on the part of the federal government. The time has come to address the health care crisis.
Doctor Jeffrey Barkin, former president of Maine Medical Association, wrote recently in a column: "Getting sick is not partisan. Losing health insurance is not partisan. Bankruptcy is not partisan. Illness does not check who you voted for," he said. "Or how you feel about Congress or whether your state is red or blue. When a child spikes a fever or a parent hears the word cancer, politics fall away. Only people remain."
The President and Congress must extend the enhanced tax credits before they expire to prevent health care costs from skyrocketing for people across our country and people here in Maine -- people who have started their own businesses, gone out on their own with the support of those health care tax credits -- and they can't do without them.
This is Governor Janet Mills, and thank you for listening.
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Original text here: https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/news/radio_address/federal-government-must-address-health-care-crisis-2025-12-05
Illinois Supreme Court Recalls and Assigns Hon. Mark Clarke to Fifth District Appellate Court
SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, Dec. 6 -- The Illinois Supreme Court issued the following news release on Dec. 5, 2025:
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Illinois Supreme Court Recalls and Assigns Hon. Mark Clarke to Fifth District Appellate Court
Justice David K. Overstreet and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the recall and assignment of the Honorable Mark H. Clarke (ret.) to the Fifth District Appellate Court.
Judge Clarke is being assigned to fill the vacancy created by the upcoming retirement of Justice James R. Moore, effective December 31, 2025. The assignment of Judge Clarke is effective January 27, 2026, and
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SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, Dec. 6 -- The Illinois Supreme Court issued the following news release on Dec. 5, 2025:
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Illinois Supreme Court Recalls and Assigns Hon. Mark Clarke to Fifth District Appellate Court
Justice David K. Overstreet and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the recall and assignment of the Honorable Mark H. Clarke (ret.) to the Fifth District Appellate Court.
Judge Clarke is being assigned to fill the vacancy created by the upcoming retirement of Justice James R. Moore, effective December 31, 2025. The assignment of Judge Clarke is effective January 27, 2026, andwill conclude on December 4, 2028.
Judge Clarke presided in the First Judicial Circuit for 26 years, from 1992 to 2018, and was Chief Judge from 2008 to 2014. While on the bench he was an active member of the Illinois Judicial Conference (2006-2018) and served on multiple committees including the Executive Committee, the Strategic Planning Committee, the Committee on Education (Co-Chair, Education Conference 2014 Workgroup), and the Committee on Illinois Judicial Benchbook on Criminal Law & Procedure (Chair, 5th Edition). He also served as Vice-Chair of the Illinois Judicial College Standing Committee on Guardian Ad Litem Education in its inaugural year. Since retiring he has worked Of Counsel at Johnson, Schneider & Ferrell, L.L.C.
Judge Clarke earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and his Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois College of Law.
The Fifth Appellate District hears cases from across 48 counties in the southernmost part of Illinois, including: Alexander, Bond, Champaign, Christian, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, Edwards, Effingham, Fayette, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Lawrence, Macon, Madison, Marion, Massac, Monroe, Montgomery, Moultrie, Perry, Piatt, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Richland, St. Clair, Saline, Shelby, Union, Vermilion, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, White, and Williamson.
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Original text here: https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/media/press-releases/
Colorado State Health Department Selects Projects for Funding Low-Emission and Zero-Emission Fleet Vehicles
DENVER, Colorado, Dec. 6 -- The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issued the following news release on Dec. 5, 2025:
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Colorado state health department selects projects for funding low-emission and zero-emission fleet vehicles
The Clean Fleet Enterprise Board of Directors, housed within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, has selected a third round of projects for grant funding to support clean fleet vehicles that help reduce air pollution. The Clean Fleet Vehicle and Technology Grant Program is for businesses, local governments, non-profits, schools,
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DENVER, Colorado, Dec. 6 -- The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issued the following news release on Dec. 5, 2025:
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Colorado state health department selects projects for funding low-emission and zero-emission fleet vehicles
The Clean Fleet Enterprise Board of Directors, housed within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, has selected a third round of projects for grant funding to support clean fleet vehicles that help reduce air pollution. The Clean Fleet Vehicle and Technology Grant Program is for businesses, local governments, non-profits, schools,and other organizations to fund low-emission or zero-emission vehicles for use in fleet operations. Selected organizations could receive up to $15.3 million combined to fund 109 vehicles once the state finalizes its contracts.
"The continued interest we see in this grant program and consumer data make it clear -- Coloradans want to make the switch to cleaner fleet vehicles. We'll continue supporting them on transition projects as much as we can," said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director of CDPHE. "Cleaner fleet vehicles are an investment not only in long-term savings for organizations, but in the health of the communities where they operate. Cleaner vehicles mean cleaner air for us all to breathe."
On Thursday, Dec. 4, the department's Clean Fleet Enterprise Board of Directors voted to move forward with funding proposed projects since reopening the grant program for applications in September 2025. The program's scoring criteria for applicants considered factors such as expected benefits to the community and applicants' plans to transition to low-emission or zero- emission vehicles.
The grant program is reimbursement-based, so specific funding amounts may vary depending on the equipment that recipients choose to purchase. The department will initiate the formal grant award process after selected projects have met all legal and administrative requirements.
The board's selected projects come from the following organizations:
* Adams County
* Allied Waste Services Inc.
* City and County of Denver Board of Water Commissioners
* City of Brighton
* City of Fort Collins
* City of Lakewood
* Colorado Coalition for the Homeless
* Durango School District 9-R
* Eco-Cycle Inc
* Energy Resource Center
* HEF-P Denver LLC (City and County of Denver)
* HEF-P Magpie LLC (South Routt School District)
* HEF-P Starling LLC (Salida School District)
* Hilltop Health Services Corporation
* Mile High United Way Inc
* The Nature Conservancy
* Northwest Colorado Council of Governments
* Pueblo County Government
* Red Bull North America Inc
* San Miguel County
* Town of Crested Butte
* University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
* Weld County School District RE-5J
* Western Disposal Inc
Organizations that the board selected may use funding to purchase low-emission or zero-emission fleet vehicles, such as those that run on electricity, hydrogen, or recovered methane. Compared to vehicles that run on gas or diesel, low-emission or zero-emission options greatly reduce particulate matter pollution, emissions that can form ground-level ozone pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change. Supporting organizations that choose to transition to low-emission and zero-emission fleet vehicles with this grant program is one of many ways Colorado is working to achieve its goals in the state's Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Roadmap 2.0 and the Colorado Clean Truck Strategy.
The Clean Fleet Enterprise intends to continually reopen the grant program each year as funding allows. Parties interested in future opportunities to apply can email the Clean Fleet Enterprise at cdphe_cfe@state.co.us to request to receive updates, and sign up to receive updates through the Clean Fleet Vehicle and Technology Grant Program email list.
Parties may also be eligible for future funding opportunities for fleet vehicle charging infrastructure needs through the Fleet Zero-Emission Resource Opportunity (Fleet-ZERO) Grant Program. The Colorado Energy Office intends to reopen this grant program for applications as well, and interested parties can subscribe to receive email updates.
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Original text here: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/press-release/colorado-state-health-department-selects-projects-for-funding-low-emission-and-zero
Arizona Corporation Commission: Vice Chair Myers Pushes Back on Data Center "Green New Deal" Commitment
PHOENIX, Arizona, Dec. 6 -- The Arizona Corporation Commission issued the following news release on Dec. 5, 2025:
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Vice Chair Myers Pushes Back on Data Center "Green New Deal" Commitment
Vice Chairman Nick Myers of the Arizona Corporation Commission confirmed with Tucson Electric Power Company (TEP) that a planned data center with "green new deal" commitments entering its service territory will not drive-up costs for its existing customers.
"Upon reading the data center's 100% renewable energy announcement, I immediately filed a letter questioning TEP about the announcement's impact on
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PHOENIX, Arizona, Dec. 6 -- The Arizona Corporation Commission issued the following news release on Dec. 5, 2025:
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Vice Chair Myers Pushes Back on Data Center "Green New Deal" Commitment
Vice Chairman Nick Myers of the Arizona Corporation Commission confirmed with Tucson Electric Power Company (TEP) that a planned data center with "green new deal" commitments entering its service territory will not drive-up costs for its existing customers.
"Upon reading the data center's 100% renewable energy announcement, I immediately filed a letter questioning TEP about the announcement's impact onTEP customers," stated Vice Chair Myers. "Data centers certainly have the right to have their own corporate goals; however, as a regulator, I cannot allow these goals to drive up costs for other customers."
In TEP's response, the company explained that it will not serve the data center exclusively with renewable energy but with its existing and planned energy portfolio. Further, TEP stated it does not plan to add generation to serve the customer beyond the resources already planned to be developed in its 2023 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP).
"I was pleased to hear that the data center plans to purchase renewable energy credits (RECs) to work towards its commitments, which has no impact on other customers" said Vice Chair Myers. "TEP also confirmed that any new renewable generation the data center may need beyond the initial 286 MW will be paid fully by the data center. This way, growth pays for growth, as it should be."
At the Commission's December 3, 2025, regular open meeting the Commission voted 4-1 to approve TEP's special agreement for electric service with the planned data center (Project Blue) developed by Beal Infrastructure Group and its affiliate Humphrey's Peak Power, LLC (E-01933A-25-0187).
For more information, please contact Vice Chair Myers at myers-web@azcc.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.azcc.gov/news/home/2025/12/05/vice-chair-myers-pushes-back-on-data-center--green-new-deal--commitment
