States, Cities and Counties
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Governor Abbott Activates State Emergency Response Resources Ahead Of Severe Weather Threat
AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 28 -- Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, issued the following news release:
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Governor Abbott Activates State Emergency Response Resources Ahead Of Severe Weather Threat
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Governor Greg Abbott today directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to activate state emergency response resources ahead of potential severe storms expected to impact Southeast and East Texas beginning tomorrow.
"Texas is prepared to swiftly respond to severe storms expected across the southeastern and eastern portion of the state," said Governor Abbott. "Today, I directed the Texas Division
... Show Full Article
AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 28 -- Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, issued the following news release:
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Governor Abbott Activates State Emergency Response Resources Ahead Of Severe Weather Threat
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Governor Greg Abbott today directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to activate state emergency response resources ahead of potential severe storms expected to impact Southeast and East Texas beginning tomorrow.
"Texas is prepared to swiftly respond to severe storms expected across the southeastern and eastern portion of the state," said Governor Abbott. "Today, I directed the Texas Divisionof Emergency Management to activate all necessary resources to assist Texas communities ahead of potential severe weather. Texans are encouraged to regularly monitor road conditions, make an emergency plan, and heed the guidance of state and local officials."
According to the National Weather Service, a strong storm system accompanying a cold front will move across East and Southeast Texas tomorrow, bringing the potential for heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding. Additional risks include damaging winds, large hail, and possible tornadoes. The threat is expected to persist through the holiday weekend, and Texans are urged to stay up to date by monitoring local forecast information.
At the Governor's direction, the following state emergency response resources are available to support local storm response operations:
* Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (Texas A&M Task Force 1) : Swiftwater Rescue Boat Squads to assist with flood rescues
* Texas Department of State Health Services (Texas Emergency Medical Task Force) : Severe Weather Support Packages consisting of medics, ambulances, and all-terrain vehicles
* Texas Parks and Wildlife Department : Game Wardens, rescue boat teams, and helicopters with hoist capability to assist with flood rescues
* Texas Department of Public Safety : Helicopters with hoist capability, Texas Highway Patrol Troopers, and the Tactical Marine Unit
* Texas Department of Transportation : Personnel monitoring road conditions
* Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service : Disaster Assessment and Recovery Agents, as well as County Extension Agents, to support agricultural and livestock needs
* Public Utility Commission of Texas : Power outage monitoring and coordination with utility providers
* Railroad Commission of Texas : Monitoring of the state's natural gas supply and communication with the oil and gas industry
* Texas Commission on Environmental Quality : Air, water, and wastewater monitoring
Additionally, Texas emergency management officials are monitoring the forecast for increasingly cold temperatures anticipated to reach the state early next week with the possibility of snowfall and icy conditions in Northwest Texas, in addition to the sub-freezing temperatures. Texans are encouraged to make a plan, pack an emergency supply kit, and follow instructions from local officials.
Texans can locate storm safety tips at TexasReady.gov, check real-time road conditions at DriveTexas.org, and obtain flood safety information at TexasFlood.org. All-hazards preparedness resources are available at tdem.texas.gov/prepare.
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Original text here: https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-activates-state-emergency-response-resources-ahead-of-severe-weather-threat1
Va. A.G. Miyares Leads Multistate Effort Defending Title IX and Student Privacy
RICHMOND, Virginia, Nov. 27 -- Virginia Attorney General Jason S. Miyares issued the following news release on Nov. 26, 2025:
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Attorney General Miyares Leads Multistate Effort Defending Title IX and Student Privacy
Attorney General Jason Miyares today announced that Virginia is leading a 21-state coalition in filing an amicus brief urging the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit to uphold the dismissal of lawsuits filed by the Fairfax County School Board and the Arlington School Board. The school divisions argue that Title IX and the Fourth Circuit's 2020 decision in Grimm v. Gloucester
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RICHMOND, Virginia, Nov. 27 -- Virginia Attorney General Jason S. Miyares issued the following news release on Nov. 26, 2025:
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Attorney General Miyares Leads Multistate Effort Defending Title IX and Student Privacy
Attorney General Jason Miyares today announced that Virginia is leading a 21-state coalition in filing an amicus brief urging the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit to uphold the dismissal of lawsuits filed by the Fairfax County School Board and the Arlington School Board. The school divisions argue that Title IX and the Fourth Circuit's 2020 decision in Grimm v. GloucesterCounty School Board require them to adopt policies allowing students to access bathrooms and locker rooms based solely on self-declared gender identity. The amicus brief explains that this claim has no legal grounding.
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"Nothing in Title IX, its regulations, or the Grimm decision requires school divisions to adopt sweeping policies that disregard basic privacy protections or put student safety at risk. Privacy and safety are not partisan issues. They are fundamental expectations in every Virginia school," said Attorney General Jason Miyares. "The school divisions' effort to twist Grimm far beyond its actual holding is unsupported by law and profoundly irresponsible. The district court made the proper call, and the Fourth Circuit should uphold it. Fairfax and Arlington are not exempt from following the law, and their reckless choices make clear that protecting children was never their priority."
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The brief explains that Grimm was a narrow, as-applied ruling about a single student and a single bathroom policy. The court did not hold that schools must open all sex-segregated facilities to any student based on self-identification, and it explicitly did not address locker rooms or changing areas. Despite this, Fairfax and Arlington have adopted broad policies that treat a student's self-assertion of gender identity as sufficient to access private facilities reserved for the opposite biological sex.
Title IX was enacted to prevent sex-based discrimination in education. Its regulations were written with the understanding that "sex" refers to biological sex. When schools accept federal funds, they agree to comply with these clear, longstanding requirements.
In September, Attorney General Miyares filed two briefs opposing an earlier attempt by the school divisions to block the U.S. Department of Education from enforcing federal protections for women in school bathrooms, locker rooms, and changing areas.
Virginia was joined by Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming in filing the brief.
Read the brief here (https://files.constantcontact.com/d3e83e11901/91b6c8b2-7064-41bb-a948-3ce533ebcee1.pdf?rdr=true).
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Original text here: https://www.oag.state.va.us/media-center/news-releases/2931-november-26-2025-attorney-general-miyares-leads-multistate-effort-defending-title-ix-and-student-privacy
VIDEO: Governor Morrisey Provides Update After Visiting Critically Injured West Virginia National Guard Members in Washington, D.C.
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, Nov. 27 -- Gov. Patrick Morrisey, R-West Virginia, issued the following news:
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VIDEO: Governor Morrisey Provides Update After Visiting Critically Injured West Virginia National Guard Members in Washington, D.C.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. \- Governor Patrick Morrisey arrived in Washington, D.C. last night to receive real time updates on the two West Virginia National Guard members who were critically injured in Wednesday's shooting near the White House. The Governor also visited with Guard members, their families, and the troops on the ground.
"I'm asking every West
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CHARLESTON, West Virginia, Nov. 27 -- Gov. Patrick Morrisey, R-West Virginia, issued the following news:
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VIDEO: Governor Morrisey Provides Update After Visiting Critically Injured West Virginia National Guard Members in Washington, D.C.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. \- Governor Patrick Morrisey arrived in Washington, D.C. last night to receive real time updates on the two West Virginia National Guard members who were critically injured in Wednesday's shooting near the White House. The Governor also visited with Guard members, their families, and the troops on the ground.
"I'm asking every WestVirginian to pray for our two Guardsmen as their families, friends, and neighbors struggle with this unspeakable tragedy," Governor Morrisey said. "These two Guardsmen voluntarily stepped up and risked everything for our state and nation - they are our protectors and some of the most courageous West Virginians you could possibly imagine."
WATCH THE VIDEO ADDRESS HERE. (link is external)
Last night and this morning, Governor Morrisey and West Virginia Adjutant General Jim Seward visited the Guardsmen who are in very critical condition and spent time with their families and supporters.
Governor Morrisey is also meeting with the West Virginia troops on the ground in DC today and conferring regularly with federal officials.
Federal officials have confirmed that the alleged attacker is an Afghan national who entered the United States a few years ago under a federal resettlement program.
"What we know so far is deeply disturbing. An Afghan national brought into this country under a federal program attacked West Virginia service members defending our nation's capital," Governor Morrisey said. "These facts demand a comprehensive investigation so we can bring those responsible to justice. We will continue working closely with federal authorities to get clear answers."
Morrisey also spoke with President Trump last night regarding the ongoing situation and the continuing support required for the Guardsmen and their families.
Further updates will be provided as verified information becomes available.
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Original text here: https://governor.wv.gov/article/video-governor-morrisey-provides-update-after-visiting-critically-injured-west-virginia
Representative Kolodin Introduces Bill to Clarify Existing Election Law
PHOENIX, Arizona, Nov. 27 -- The Arizona House Republicans issued the following news release on Nov. 26, 2025:
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Representative Kolodin Introduces Bill to Clarify Existing Election Law
Arizona State Representative Alexander Kolodin released a statement today announcing the introduction of House Bill 2022--critical legislation to clarify existing Arizona election law.
Election integrity remains a top priority for Arizonans. In recent election cycles, certain glaring issues have stemmed simply from unclear statutes--particularly those governing election timelines and the presence of observers
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PHOENIX, Arizona, Nov. 27 -- The Arizona House Republicans issued the following news release on Nov. 26, 2025:
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Representative Kolodin Introduces Bill to Clarify Existing Election Law
Arizona State Representative Alexander Kolodin released a statement today announcing the introduction of House Bill 2022--critical legislation to clarify existing Arizona election law.
Election integrity remains a top priority for Arizonans. In recent election cycles, certain glaring issues have stemmed simply from unclear statutes--particularly those governing election timelines and the presence of observersat voting locations.
Representative Kolodin's bill addresses these issues by clarifying the following under Arizona law:
* Makes permanent the 2024 legislative fix aligning Arizona's election timeline with the federal Electoral Count Reform Act, ensuring presidential election results are transmitted to Congress on time.
* Clarifies that, under existing law, each county party chairman may designate a party representative and alternates to serve as observers at every voting location.
"This is another commonsense measure that recent election cycles have demonstrated is critical to clean elections in Arizona," said Representative Kolodin. "The bill ensures that Arizonans will not be disenfranchised by Congress' mistakes and clarifies that independent observers are permitted at all voting locations."
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Alexander Kolodin is an attorney and Republican member of the Arizona House of Representatives serving Legislative District 3, which includes North Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, and Rio Verde in Maricopa County.
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Original text here: https://www.azleg.gov/press/house/57LEG/2R/251126KOLODINHB2022.pdf
R.I. Gov. McKee Issues Statement on RI Energy's Proposed Base Distribution Rate Increase
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, Nov. 27 -- Gov. Daniel J. McKee, D-Rhode Island, issued the following statement on Nov. 26, 2025:
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Governor McKee Issues Statement on RI Energy's Proposed Base Distribution Rate Increase
Governor Dan McKee today issued the following statement on RI Energy's proposed base distribution rate increase.
"This is not the time for a utility rate increase. With costs rising nationwide and families already burdened, my focus remains fixed on affordability for every Rhode Islander.
"The $150 million ratepayer relief settlement my administration negotiated with Rhode Island
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PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, Nov. 27 -- Gov. Daniel J. McKee, D-Rhode Island, issued the following statement on Nov. 26, 2025:
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Governor McKee Issues Statement on RI Energy's Proposed Base Distribution Rate Increase
Governor Dan McKee today issued the following statement on RI Energy's proposed base distribution rate increase.
"This is not the time for a utility rate increase. With costs rising nationwide and families already burdened, my focus remains fixed on affordability for every Rhode Islander.
"The $150 million ratepayer relief settlement my administration negotiated with Rhode IslandEnergy must be put back before the PUC and approved. That plan would have delivered direct savings to Rhode Islanders--about $24.50 a month in electric relief and $47.50 a month in gas relief over the next two winters.
"And let me be clear: while I continue fighting for that $150 million in relief, the budget I will submit in January will deliver millions of dollars of permanent, meaningful energy savings for families and businesses across our state."
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Original text here: https://governor.ri.gov/press-releases/governor-mckee-issues-statement-ri-energys-proposed-base-distribution-rate-increase
Forget Turkey, We're Thankful About Salmon. How California is Helping Salmon Bounce Back.
SACRAMENTO, California, Nov. 27 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release:
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Forget turkey, we're thankful about salmon. How California is helping salmon bounce back.
What you need to know: California is marking significant progress with the state's salmon strategy - completing major projects, repopulating areas for the first time in more than a century and funding key projects in the Central Valley.
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In just the last week, California approved seven new salmon restoration projects in the Central Valley, marked significant progress in bringing salmon back to
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SACRAMENTO, California, Nov. 27 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release:
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Forget turkey, we're thankful about salmon. How California is helping salmon bounce back.
What you need to know: California is marking significant progress with the state's salmon strategy - completing major projects, repopulating areas for the first time in more than a century and funding key projects in the Central Valley.
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In just the last week, California approved seven new salmon restoration projects in the Central Valley, marked significant progress in bringing salmon back tothe Klamath River, and celebrated the completion of a major fish passageway along the Sacramento River. It's all proof that the California Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future -- combined with its Healthy Rivers and Landscapes program -- is paying dividends nearly two years since Governor Gavin Newsom first announced the plan.
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Salmon are an integral part of our shared history in California. We're doubling down to make sure this species not only adapts in the face of extreme weather but remains a fixture of California's natural beauty and ecosystems for generations to come.
- Governor Gavin Newsom
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Salmon are profoundly important to California. They provide important commercial, recreational, economic, intrinsic and cultural benefits to fishing communities, California Native American tribes, and the entire state. California's salmon populations are struggling to recover from years of drought, climate disruption, and other environmental and human-made challenges. California is taking significant and meaningful steps to rebuild salmon stocks across California.
"It is encouraging to see what is possible once we begin to restore balance to the lands and waters that now make up California," said Tribal Affairs Secretary Christina Snider-Ashtari. "For so many tribal nations throughout the state who have long advocated for this restoration, the return of salmon also means the return of traditions, lifeways, and well-being for their communities."
Earlier this year, the state released the California Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future: Progress Report, an update to the original strategy. The progress report shows that of the 71 action items outlined in the Salmon Strategy, nearly 70% are underway, with another 26% already completed. These actions provide tangible benefits for California's salmon populations and habitats now and into the future.
Even as some salmon populations begin to rebound in the state, salmon fisheries continue to face significant climate-related challenges. California's commercial salmon fisheries have been closed for three years, and recreational salmon fishing just started to open this year for limited opportunities.
Restoring salmon in the Central Valley
Last week, the California Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) approved seven projects that will restore critical habitat and remove fish passage barriers in the Central Valley.
Totaling over $70 million, these seven projects advance early implementation of the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes program, an unprecedented collaboration of local, state, and federal water partners to improve environmental flows and restore habitats along California's key waterways. By reconnecting rivers to floodplains, modernizing water infrastructure, and restoring spawning and rearing habitat, these projects also directly address priorities identified in the state's Salmon Strategy.
Here are some of the recently approved projects:
* Battle Creek Ranch, Tehama County: Secures 313 acres of high-value spawning and rearing habitat for endangered spring-run and winter-run Chinook salmon and steelhead, complementing ongoing restoration efforts and protecting critical tributary systems.
* Meridian Farms Fish Screen, Sutter County: Consolidates two unscreened diversions on the Sacramento River into a single screened diversion, reducing juvenile salmon mortality and supporting recovery of Central Valley spring-run and winter-run Chinook salmon.
* Robinson's Riffle Feather River Restoration, Butte County: Reshapes roughly one mile of the Feather River and reconnects it to 51 acres of historic floodplain, creating high-quality spawning and rearing habitat for Chinook salmon and steelhead while increasing overall habitat diversity.
Explore all the projects on WCB's story maps page.
'Salmon everywhere' in the Klamath
A little more than a year after the historic removal of four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) scientists are seeing salmon reoccupying just about every corner of their historic habitat. This is a key milestone for the Governor's Salmon Strategy.
"The speed at which salmon are repopulating every nook and cranny of suitable habitat upstream of the dams in the Klamath Basin is both remarkable and thrilling," said Michael Harris, Environmental Program Manager of CDFW's Klamath Watershed Program. "There are salmon everywhere on the landscape right now, and it's invigorating our work."
While adult returns of salmon are ongoing and final estimates won't be available until January, initial reports indicate a stronger fall-run Chinook salmon return than last year with widespread dispersal of the fish. Recent signs of salmon recovery throughout the Klamath Basin include:
* The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Klamath Tribes report seeing widespread salmon spawning within the Oregon portion of the Klamath River, including within multiple tributaries upstream of Klamath Lake where salmon haven't been seen in more than a century.
* Fish-counting stations have recorded 214 adult Chinook salmon in Jenny Creek and 260 adult Chinook salmon in Shovel Creek to date. CDFW field crews are surveying regularly for salmon nests and adult fish.
A primary goal of Klamath River dam removal was the reestablishment of viable, wild, self-sustaining populations of salmon and other anadromous fish species for conservation, for their ecological benefits, and to enhance tribal, commercial and recreational fisheries.
To that end, CDFW has invested approximately $24 million to support fish habitat restoration projects within the Klamath Basin.
Historic floodplain salmon project now complete
Operations have officially begun for the Big Notch Project, one of the largest floodplain salmon-rearing habitat projects in California history. The Department of Water Resources held a ribbon cutting ceremony late last week in Yolo County to kick off the first operational season of the Big Notch Project.
The project includes three seasonally operated gates at the Fremont Weir, making it easier for juvenile salmon and sturgeon to move into the Yolo Bypass -- a critical floodplain habitat that plays a key role in the recovery of these threatened and endangered species.
The project was designed with cutting edge science and a highly public process that incorporated decades of fisheries research and land-use knowledge. Big Notch will be operated to benefit fish in a way that protects existing land-uses like agriculture, recreation, and flood protection.
The Big Notch Project is built into the Fremont Weir, which is part of the Fremont Weir State Wildlife Area in Yolo County. The construction of the massive project included the removal of a section of the Fremont Weir, the installation of three gates, the excavation of 180,000 cubic yards of material to carve new channels for the salmon, and the construction of a control building and a pedestrian bridge.
With construction now complete, the gated passages will be opened when the Sacramento River is high enough to use the Yolo Bypass as a floodplain. The water will enter the bypass through the notch at Fremont Weir and create a shallow water floodplain for fish to easily migrate through the area. This also means juvenile salmon will have a food-rich habitat to feed in for a longer time
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Original text here: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/11/26/forget-turkey-were-thankful-about-salmon-how-california-is-helping-salmon-bounce-back/
Arizona State Senate Republicans: Senator Farnsworth Drives Innovation Effort to Protect Cities and Advance Next-Generation Air Mobility
PHOENIX, Arizona, Nov. 27 -- The Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus issued the following news release on Nov. 26, 2025:
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Senator Farnsworth Drives Innovation Effort to Protect Cities and Advance Next-Generation Air Mobility
Senator David Farnsworth, Chair of the Senate Appropriations & Transportation Committee, is accelerating Arizona's role in next-generation transportation by championing legislation in the 2026 session to support advanced air mobility while ensuring cities remain protected from monopolies that could control future transit networks.
Senator Farnsworth is working
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PHOENIX, Arizona, Nov. 27 -- The Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus issued the following news release on Nov. 26, 2025:
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Senator Farnsworth Drives Innovation Effort to Protect Cities and Advance Next-Generation Air Mobility
Senator David Farnsworth, Chair of the Senate Appropriations & Transportation Committee, is accelerating Arizona's role in next-generation transportation by championing legislation in the 2026 session to support advanced air mobility while ensuring cities remain protected from monopolies that could control future transit networks.
Senator Farnsworth is workingwith industry leaders, municipal officials, and aviation innovators on a bi-weekly basis to position Arizona as a leader in the future of travel. His vision centers on integrating vertiports and autonomous air systems while prioritizing local decision-making and opportunities for economic growth. As advanced air mobility rapidly evolves, Senator Farnsworth is developing legislative concepts to establish a clear, fair, and innovation-driven framework for Arizona.
The initiatives being developed by Senator Farnsworth aim to support the creation and installation of vertiports and vertistops across the valley, empowering cities to make independent decisions without being constrained by monopolistic control over development and landing spaces. With a strong emphasis on open competition, local empowerment, and sustainable practices, Senator Farnsworth is ensuring that Arizona is well-prepared for the exciting transportation innovations that lie ahead.
"I warmly invite all industry leaders, aviation innovators, and community advocates to share their valuable insights with my office as we develop this important legislation," said Senator Farnworth. "Advanced air mobility holds exciting potential to transform transportation for everyone in Arizona. To fully harness this opportunity, it's crucial to cultivate a competitive environment that discourages monopolies. Together, we can build a collaborative future, ensuring that innovation thrives, and no single company overshadows the incredible advancements ahead. This approach is essential for embracing innovation and establishing vertiport systems that will drive the next wave of economic growth. I look forward to announcing the bill language in the near future once it has been refined."
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Original text here: https://www.azsenaterepublicans.gov/post/senator-farnsworth-drives-innovation-effort-to-protect-cities-and-advance-next-generation-air-mobili
