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N.J. A.G. Davenport Sues Trump Administration to Protect New Jersey Residents' Personal Information
TRENTON, New Jersey, Aug. 5 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release on Aug. 3, 2026:
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Attorney General Davenport Sues Trump Administration to Protect New Jersey Residents' Personal Information
AG Davenport Takes Action to Stop Illegal Misuse of Millions of TANF Recipients' Private Data
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Attorney General Jennifer Davenport today joined a coalition of 23 other states and the District of Columbia in suing the Trump Administration over unlawful policy changes that would give the Administration broad access to the sensitive private information of
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TRENTON, New Jersey, Aug. 5 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release on Aug. 3, 2026:
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Attorney General Davenport Sues Trump Administration to Protect New Jersey Residents' Personal Information
AG Davenport Takes Action to Stop Illegal Misuse of Millions of TANF Recipients' Private Data
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Attorney General Jennifer Davenport today joined a coalition of 23 other states and the District of Columbia in suing the Trump Administration over unlawful policy changes that would give the Administration broad access to the sensitive private information ofmillions of families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits.
In June 2026, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) issued a notice claiming to dramatically expand its oversight of state TANF programs, including by allowing ACF to share detailed records on TANF recipients with other federal agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Under ACF's new policy, TANF recipients' Social Security numbers, addresses, immigration status, and other sensitive personal data would be illegally shared across the federal government and even potentially with private organizations. Attorney General Davenport and the coalition argue that ACF's attempt to share millions of people's data and implement new monitoring of states' TANF programs violates the law and Constitution, and is a blatant effort to politically target those who are lawfully receiving critical TANF benefits.
"The Trump Administration has tried time and again to weaponize every aspect of government as part of their reckless immigration enforcement efforts. Now, they want to misuse a program intended to help vulnerable families and children as a tool for harassing immigrants," said Attorney General Davenport. "Federal law sets clear limits on the sharing of sensitive personal data, but the Administration would obliterate those guardrails and violate the privacy of families that are just trying to make ends meet."
Congress created TANF as part of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996. The law requires the federal government to provide block grants to states, territories, and tribal governments, which then have broad authority to use the funds for a variety of programs to provide assistance to low-income families with children. TANF funds support childcare subsidies, emergency housing for families fleeing domestic violence, emergency food assistance, support for grandparents caring for children, and other critical services. TANF currently provides over $16 billion every year to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and several territories and tribal governments for these programs. As Attorney General Davenport and the coalition assert in their lawsuit, it is one of the largest sources of direct assistance to low-income families and a crucial part of states' efforts to fight poverty.
The TANF program, known here as Work First New Jersey, is providing a $540 million block grant in the State's Fiscal 2027 budget. As of April 2026, the program assisted more than 24,000 New Jerseyans.
The law enacting TANF specifically requires states, not the federal government, to be responsible for verifying TANF applicants' eligibility for benefits. Yet ACF now claims the agency has broad authority to oversee states' TANF programs and share recipients' private data with other federal agencies to double check their immigration status. Attorney General Davenport and the coalition argue that this policy would cause significant harm to the vulnerable communities that rely on TANF funds.
Allowing TANF recipients' private data to be illegally shared across the federal government would erode trust that states' TANF programs have built with immigrant communities and deter those legally qualified to receive benefits from seeking out assistance.
Attorney General Davenport and the coalition argue that ACF's new policy violates the Administrative Procedure Act and the Spending Clause of the U.S. Constitution by ignoring restrictions on data sharing in TANF programs and enacting arbitrary new conditions on federal funding. The lawsuit seeks a court order declaring ACF's policy illegal and preventing it from being implemented.
Joining Attorney General Davenport in filing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia, as well as the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania.
View Complaint (https://www.njoag.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-0803_New-York-v-ACF-Complaint-Filed.pdf)
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Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/attorney-general-davenport-sues-trump-administration-to-protect-new-jersey-residents-personal-information/
Massachusetts Department of Public Health Launches Statewide Community Health Equity Survey
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Aug. 5 -- The Massachusetts Department of Public Health issued the following news release:
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Massachusetts Department of Public Health Launches Statewide Community Health Equity Survey
Third survey will inform and prioritize future public health action using timely data
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The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is inviting residents across the state to help shape future public health decisions by participating in the 2026 Community Health Equity Survey. The anonymous survey will help inform policies, programs, and services by gathering information about
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BOSTON, Massachusetts, Aug. 5 -- The Massachusetts Department of Public Health issued the following news release:
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Massachusetts Department of Public Health Launches Statewide Community Health Equity Survey
Third survey will inform and prioritize future public health action using timely data
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The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is inviting residents across the state to help shape future public health decisions by participating in the 2026 Community Health Equity Survey. The anonymous survey will help inform policies, programs, and services by gathering information aboutresidents' experiences, needs, and priorities.
Building on findings from the 2020 and 2023 survey cycles, the 2026 Community Health Equity Survey (CHES) will continue to assess and address social and structural factors that affect health among Massachusetts residents aged 12 years and older, with a focus on communities disproportionately impacted by structural racism and other drivers of health inequity.
The survey is part of DPH's Community Health Equity Initiative (CHEI), which uses community engagement and data to better understand the health of Massachusetts residents and the barriers that affect it.
"The Community Health Equity Initiative offers residents across Massachusetts a real voice in shaping the public health priorities that affect their lives," said Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. "At a moment when trust in public institutions is fragile and too many communities feel overlooked or under threat, CHEI represents an important way to listen and to hear. Public health works only when people believe in it. By pairing the lived experiences of residents with rigorous data, CHEI helps us build strategies that are more responsive, more equitable, and more worthy of trust."
The survey launched July 31 and will remain open through November 2026. Co-designed with residents and community partners across Massachusetts, the survey builds on findings from the previous cycles while examining residents' priorities, experiences, and needs in today's environment.
Both the 2020 and 2023 surveys generated invaluable data that continue to inform where investments are allocated, programs are developed, and services are provided. Findings are available on the mass.gov/chei webpage in various formats, including dashboards, data tables, and reports. So far, more than 150 organizations across the state have accessed CHEI data to advance their work, including to secure grant funding, inform programming, and advocate for policies that improve the well-being of their communities.
New topics in the 2026 survey include residents' immigration experiences and the mental health impacts of recent immigration policies and practices, alongside questions about access to healthcare, housing, transportation, education, employment, and other factors that influence health.
The Community Health Equity Survey is voluntary, anonymous, does not ask for identifying information, such as immigration status, and cannot be connected back to residents in any way.
DPH wants to hear from a broad range of Massachusetts residents, including people and communities often disproportionately impacted by health inequities and that are often underrepresented in traditional health data systems. These communities include older adults (aged 60+), parents and caregivers of children and youth with special healthcare needs, youth and young adults (aged 12 to 24), people identifying as LGBTQ+, people of color, people with disabilities, people whose primary language is not English, people with immigration experience, pregnant people and parents of young children, rural residents, and veterans.
Massachusetts residents aged 12 and older can take the survey. It takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes to complete and is available in the following languages: Arabic, American Sign Language (ASL), Cape Verdean Creole, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), English, Haitian Creole, Khmer, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
CHES 2026 results and resources will be made available online to the public starting in 2027.
To participate in the Community Health Equity Survey, visit mass.gov/HealthSurvey.
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Original text here: https://www.mass.gov/news/massachusetts-department-of-public-health-launches-statewide-community-health-equity-survey
Fla. Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces Permanent Protection of Agricultural Land in Levy and Putnam Counties
TALLAHASSEE, Florida, Aug. 5 -- The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services issued the following news release:
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Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces Permanent Protection of Agricultural Land in Levy and Putnam Counties
Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the permanent protection of more than 1,675 acres of working Florida agricultural land through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. Rural lands protection easements prevent future development of the land and allow agriculture
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TALLAHASSEE, Florida, Aug. 5 -- The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services issued the following news release:
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Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces Permanent Protection of Agricultural Land in Levy and Putnam Counties
Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the permanent protection of more than 1,675 acres of working Florida agricultural land through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. Rural lands protection easements prevent future development of the land and allow agricultureoperations to continue to contribute to Florida's economy and the production of food, timber, and other resources vital to the prosperity of Florida.
"When we protect working agricultural land, we're protecting Florida's future. Every easement we complete keeps these lands in production, strengthens our rural communities, and protects them from future development," said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. "Through historic investments in the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, we're ensuring Florida's farmers, ranchers, and timber producers can continue doing what they do best while preserving the landscapes and natural resources that define our state."
Since its inception, the department's Rural and Family Lands Protection Program has permanently preserved more than 241,000 acres of working agricultural land, with more than 176,000 acres preserved during Commissioner Simpson's administration.
The properties are enrolled in FDACS Best Management Practices and are located within the Florida Wildlife Corridor, which was established in state law in 2021 through the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act as a priority of then-Senate President Wilton Simpson.
Osceola Pines
Osceola Pines, an approximately 545-acre timber operation in Levy County, has been permanently preserved from development through a rural lands protection easement, totaling $1,030,000, with $515,000 being provided through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service's Regional Conservation Partnership Program. Just over half of the site is in well-managed pine plantation of variable stand age. Roughly 250 acres of the site are composed of a mature cypress and wetland hardwood basin swamp which flows through the property's entire length from north to south. Surrounding lands are a similar mosaic of plantations and wetlands.
Patricia Flanders
Patricia Flanders, an approximately 1,131-acre timber property in Putnam County, has been permanently preserved from development through a rural lands protection easement, totaling $1,301,000. Situated just north of Ocklawaha Lake, the project consists of two tracts entirely within the Etoniah/Cross Florida Greenway Florida Forever project. The eastern tract includes planted timber and sandhill with interspersed depressional wetlands grading into shrubby and forested wetlands. The western tract is a mix of sandhill, planted timber, and riparian wetlands associated with Little Orange Creek and Cabbage Creek, which bisects the northern section of the tract.
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About the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program
Established in 2001 with the passage of the Rural and Family Lands Protection Act, the program recognizes that working agricultural lands are essential to Florida's economic future. Agricultural lands are being increasingly threatened by urban development. To counter this trend, the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program partners with farmers and ranchers to ensure sustainable production practices while protecting natural resources.
Rural lands protection easements prevent future development of the land and allow agricultural operations to continue contributing to Florida's economy and the production of food, timber, and other resources vital to the state's prosperity. Additionally, by purchasing development rights through a rural lands protection easement, the program does not impose an additional burden on the taxpayer by having to maintain state-owned lands.
Since 2022, Commissioner Simpson has helped to secure more than $1.1 billion in state funding for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, including $425 million in the 2026/2027 state budget.
Commissioner Simpson has been involved in Florida's land conservation policy issues long before becoming Florida's Commissioner of Agriculture. As Senate President, Commissioner Simpson championed the successful passage of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act, which directed the state of Florida to better protect and connect Florida's natural areas and wildlife habitats and to preserve working agricultural lands from future development.
A story map of all completed Rural and Family Lands Protection Program projects can be viewed here: FDACS.gov/RFLPPMap.
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Original text here: https://www.fdacs.gov/News-Events/Press-Releases/2026-Press-Releases/Commissioner-Wilton-Simpson-Announces-Permanent-Protection-of-Agricultural-Land-in-Levy-and-Putnam-Counties
DEEP Seeks Qualified Caterers for Connecticut State Parks
HARTFORD, Connecticut, Aug. 5 -- The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection issued the following news release:
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DEEP Seeks Qualified Caterers for Connecticut State Parks
Partnership Opportunity Expands Event and Visitor Service Offerings Across State Properties
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The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced the release of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking qualified full-service catering vendors to provide catering concession services at multiple Connecticut State Park event facilities beginning in 2027.
Through
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HARTFORD, Connecticut, Aug. 5 -- The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection issued the following news release:
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DEEP Seeks Qualified Caterers for Connecticut State Parks
Partnership Opportunity Expands Event and Visitor Service Offerings Across State Properties
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The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced the release of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking qualified full-service catering vendors to provide catering concession services at multiple Connecticut State Park event facilities beginning in 2027.
Throughthis initiative, DEEP aims to enhance visitor experiences and support special events hosted at state-owned facilities by establishing partnerships with professional catering providers capable of delivering high-quality food and beverage services in accordance with state regulations and operational standards.
Under the agreement, approved caterers will be authorized to provide full-service catering operations at designated state park recreation facilities. Services may include food preparation, event staffing, setup and breakdown, beverage service, rental coordination, bartending services, and post-event cleanup responsibilities.
The RFQ seeks experienced catering professionals capable of supporting a wide range of events hosted within Connecticut State Parks, including weddings, receptions, corporate gatherings, conferences, fundraisers, family celebrations, and community events. Qualified caterers may submit proposals for one or more participating park facilities, including:
* Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford
* Rocky Neck State Park in East Lyme
* Fort Trumbull State Park in New London
* Gillette Castle State Park in East Haddam
Two of Connecticut's most sought-after wedding destinations -- Harkness Memorial State Park and Rocky Neck State Park -- continue to attract couples seeking unique waterfront and historic settings for ceremonies and receptions.
At Harkness Memorial State Park, weddings and other events are hosted on the scenic grounds surrounding the historic Eolia Mansion, which overlooks Long Island Sound and features formal gardens, expansive lawns, and coastal views. The property has become one of Connecticut's premier outdoor wedding destinations and regularly hosts dozens of ceremonies and special events annually. In 2025 alone, the park received approximately 80 rental requests, with weddings serving as the primary event type.
Rocky Neck State Park offers a coastal event setting featuring the Ellie Mitchell Pavilion with beachfront access, pavilion facilities, and scenic shoreline views that accommodate both casual and formal gatherings. The park remains a popular location for weddings, family events, and seasonal celebrations along Connecticut's shoreline.
Additional locations included within the RFQ are the Fort, South Lawn, Conference Center, and Visitor Center facilities at Fort Trumbull State Park and the Visitor Center facility at Gillette Castle State Park, which provide unique settings for conferences, meetings, ceremonies, and special events throughout the year.
"Connecticut's State Parks already offer some of the state's most iconic and historic event and wedding venues," said DEEP Acting Commissioner Emma Cimino. "This concession opportunity is part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen public-private partnerships that improve recreational experiences, expand visitor amenities, and support our State Parks' long-term sustainability. We're looking forward to working with experienced catering partners to help deliver exceptional guest experiences."
DEEP will maintain a list of qualified caterers for a three-year period beginning in spring 2027. The department anticipates reviewing proposals on a rolling basis until each participating facility has an adequate number of catering providers.
Interested vendors are encouraged to review all RFQ requirements, including insurance, permitting, operational standards, and proposal submission instructions through the State Contracting Portal.
The RFQ is available through the Connecticut State Contracting Portal at:
Connecticut State Contracting Portal
The RFP is available on the CTsource Bid Board as solicitation number 2027-DEP-001-MM, and proposals are accepted on a rolling basis. To apply, visit the CTsource Bid Board and enter 2027-DEP-001-MM in the search field.
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Original text here: https://portal.ct.gov/deep/news-releases/news-releases---2026/deep-seeks-qualified-caterers-for-connecticut-state-parks
Calif. Gov. Newsom Invites President Trump to Deliver Overdue Wildfire Recovery Funding During Los Angeles Visit
SACRAMENTO, California, Aug. 5 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on Aug. 4, 2026:
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Governor Newsom invites President Trump to deliver overdue wildfire recovery funding during Los Angeles visit
As the President raises campaign money at his Palos Verdes golf club, Governor calls on him to finally send the disaster aid he promised 18 months ago
What you need to know: President Trump is in Los Angeles County today for a Republican National Committee fundraiser at his country club in Rancho Palos Verdes, while families in Altadena, the Pacific Palisades,
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SACRAMENTO, California, Aug. 5 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release on Aug. 4, 2026:
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Governor Newsom invites President Trump to deliver overdue wildfire recovery funding during Los Angeles visit
As the President raises campaign money at his Palos Verdes golf club, Governor calls on him to finally send the disaster aid he promised 18 months ago
What you need to know: President Trump is in Los Angeles County today for a Republican National Committee fundraiser at his country club in Rancho Palos Verdes, while families in Altadena, the Pacific Palisades,and Malibu are still waiting on the federal recovery funding he pledged after the January 2025 firestorms. Governor Newsom is calling on the president to use this trip to finally deliver. Para leer este comunicado en espanol, haga clic aqui.
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Governor Newsom today called on President Trump to use his trip to Los Angeles to deliver on a promise he made 18 months ago. Since February 2025, when President Trump pledged he would "take care" of wildfire survivors, Governor Newsom has submitted multiple supplemental funding requests to the federal government.
None have been approved, and the federal government continues to delay funding it has already committed to.
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After more than 18 months of delay, I hope President Trump's visit brings long overdue federal recovery funding directly to the families rebuilding after the LA wildfires. This is an opportunity for the President to honor his commitment to provide these survivors with the funding he promised them. There are moments that rise above politics. This could be one of them, Mr. President.
- Governor Gavin Newsom
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In June, the Trump White House requested over $80 billion in supplemental funding from Congress for war costs, an Ebola outbreak response in Central Africa, and farm relief, including storm aid, for Florida.. It did not include even a mention of much-needed assistance for Los Angeles wildfire survivors. The president has yet to transmit a disaster recovery funding request to Congress, leaving his promise to survivors unfulfilled.
While Washington, D.C. sits on their hands, California builds
Since the January 2025 Eaton and Palisades fires, California has processed and submitted more than $1.5 billion in FEMA reimbursement claims for emergency response, infrastructure repair, and public facility restoration. FEMA has obligated only $37 million of that amount, approximately 2.5%. In the meantime, the state has advanced its own matching funds so recovery work continues without delay, including debris removal from more than 12,000 properties, emergency housing assistance for thousands of families, and reconstruction of damaged schools and public facilities.
California has also streamlined permitting, deployed strike teams to help survivors navigate insurance claims and FEMA applications, and opened one-stop recovery centers that have served more than 50,000 survivors.
Congress has yet to pass disaster supplemental appropriations for long-term recovery in the communities devastated by the Eaton and Palisades fires, including funding for affordable housing reconstruction and economic recovery programs. This spring, in coordination with local governments, Governor Newsom transmitted an updated request to Trump administration officials focused on the highest-priority programs and immediate local needs. Still, not a dollar of supplemental funding has arrived.
Governor Newsom traveled to Washington in May to discuss recovery directly with U.S. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, and separately with congressional leaders from both parties. Last month, the Governor warned lenders against practices that improperly delay or deny homeowners' access to insurance payouts they're owed, as survivors continue to face difficulty accessing coverage more than 18 months after the fires.
Accelerating recovery and protecting communities
Many survivors lost community spaces, historic neighborhood pillars, and schools that made communities feel like home. Governor Newsom and his administration have worked hand-in-hand with survivors, and in partnership with the Legislature to enact key recovery policies, to help communities recover and rebuild stronger. The Governor has helped accelerate the rebuilding of communities by:
* Fast-tracking permitting and rebuilding. Governor Newsom issued an executive order to streamline the rebuilding of homes and businesses -- suspending permitting and review requirements under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the California Coastal Act. The Governor also issued an executive order further cutting red tape by reiterating that permitting requirements under the California Coastal Act are suspended for rebuilding efforts and directing the Coastal Commission not to issue guidance or take any action that interferes with or conflicts with the Governor's executive orders. Additionally, the Governor issued an executive order removing bureaucratic barriers, extending deadlines, and providing critical regulatory relief to help fire survivors rebuild, access essential services, and recover more quickly
* Providing tax and mortgage relief to those impacted by the fires. California postponed the individual tax filing deadline to October 15 for Los Angeles County taxpayers. Governor Newsom suspended penalties and interest on late property tax payments for a year, effectively extending the state property tax deadline. The Governor also worked with stat- and federally chartered banks that have committed to providing mortgage relief for survivors in certain ZIP codes, and later extended and expanded that relief through legislation. He also announced a $125 million mortgage relief package for homeowners impacted by the Los Angeles fires and other recent disasters, which was recently adjusted to reach even more fire survivors.
* Suspending building codes. In addition to issuing multiple executive orders, Governor Newsom has also helped speed permitting and rebuilding by suspending implementation of new building codes for residents rebuilding from the fires to create certainty and avoid the need to modify applications and lengthen the permitting process. This includes allowing homeowners who built their homes to the standards in the 2019 Building Code to use their previously approved plans, and a suspension of building codes that would have gone into effect on January 1, 2026.
* Safeguarding survivors from speculators and price gouging. Governor Newsom expanded restrictions to protect survivors from illegal price hikes on rent, hotel, and motel costs, and building materials or construction. The Governor also issued an executive order to protect firestorm victims from predatory land speculators making aggressive and unsolicited cash offers to purchase their property.
* Creating a new Disaster Rebuilding Fund. In partnership with the legislature, the Governor signed into law a $100 million fund directed to reduce financing costs for homeowners rebuilding after disasters, and to help affected households repair or reconstruct homes more quickly and affordably.
* Getting kids back in the classroom. Governor Newsom signed an executive order to quickly assist displaced students in the Los Angeles area and bolster schools affected by the firestorms.
Trump abandons LA fire survivors
In addition to taking action to speed rebuilding, the Governor is also standing up for the Altadena, Palisades, and Malibu communities by advocating for long-term federal disaster funding for survivors of last year's catastrophic Los Angeles wildfires.
Governor Newsom has made multiple requests since February 2025, when President Trump promised he would "take care" of survivors. However, the federal government has yet to approve these funding requests and continues to delay delivering FEMA funding that was already approved.
The federal government plays a critical role as a partner to the state in this long-term recovery effort. Funding in this supplemental appropriation would:
* Fund the rebuilding of schools, childcare centers, homes, and vital community facilities.
* Keep small businesses open, support the economy, and maintain jobs.
* Restore damaged water systems, underground and harden critical infrastructure, and improve sidewalks, streets, and traffic safety.
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Original text here: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/08/04/governor-newsom-invites-president-trump-to-deliver-overdue-wildfire-recovery-funding-during-los-angeles-visit/
Ariz. A.G. Mayes Sues Trump Administration to Stop Illegal Tariffs
PHOENIX, Arizona, Aug. 5 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on Aug. 3, 2026:
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Attorney General Mayes Sues Trump Administration to Stop Illegal Tariffs
Attorney General Kris Mayes today co-led a coalition of attorneys general in filing a third lawsuit against the Trump Administration's efforts to impose illegal tariffs on American consumers and businesses. The case challenges the Administration's recent decision to increase tariffs on more than 80 countries that together account for 99.4% of all U.S. imports--costs that will be passed along to Americans
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PHOENIX, Arizona, Aug. 5 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on Aug. 3, 2026:
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Attorney General Mayes Sues Trump Administration to Stop Illegal Tariffs
Attorney General Kris Mayes today co-led a coalition of attorneys general in filing a third lawsuit against the Trump Administration's efforts to impose illegal tariffs on American consumers and businesses. The case challenges the Administration's recent decision to increase tariffs on more than 80 countries that together account for 99.4% of all U.S. imports--costs that will be passed along to Americansalready struggling to pay the price of essential consumer goods.
"Donald Trump has lost in court after court trying to unilaterally impose tariffs, yet for more than a year he has recklessly pressed ahead -- and Arizonans have paid the price," said Attorney General Mayes. "Tariffs have resulted in higher grocery prices, bigger bills for small businesses trying to stay afloat, and chaos in nearly every sector of our economy. I will never stop fighting to protect Arizonans from unlawful taxes the President is trying to impose on them."
President Trump has persistently inflicted chaos on the American economy by imposing tariffs without the legal authority to do so. Initially, the President claimed that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) allowed him to at his whim impose tariffs of any amount, on any product, from any country, for any length of time. In February, the Supreme Court rejected that claim, agreeing with several state attorneys general that the IEEPA tariffs were unlawful. The same day the Supreme Court blocked those tariffs, President Trump turned to a different statute that, like IEEPA, had never been used to impose tariffs before--Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974--and announced 10 percent tariffs on most products worldwide. But state attorneys general challenged those tariffs too, and in May the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled they were also unlawful.
Rather than accepting those losses, President Trump turned to yet another law--Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974--and directed the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to investigate the European Union and 59 other countries, to determine whether those countries are doing enough to combat forced labor in global trade. Late last month, the USTR did what Trump wanted all along, imposing 10% and 12.5% tariff rates on nearly every economy that trades with the U.S. In other words, instead of taking actions that would actually combat forced labor, the USTR reached a foregone conclusion and imposed across-the-board tariffs similar to those that courts have struck down twice before.
Today's lawsuit challenges the Trump Administration's latest round of tariffs. The complaint contends that these actions exceed the Administration's and USTR's legal authority and violate the Administrative Procedure Act. The case was filed in the U.S. Court of International Trade and is entitled State of Oregon, et al., v. Trump, et al.
A recent analysis by researchers at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York concluded that nearly 90 percent of the costs of tariffs in 2025 were paid by American consumers and businesses. By imposing another round of price increases on American consumers and businesses, the Trump Administration is tripling down on failed and unlawful economic policies that continue to squeeze the already tight pockets of Americans everywhere.
The lawsuit is led by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, and California Attorney General Rob Bonta. Also joining are the attorneys general of Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania.
A copy of the complaint (https://mcusercontent.com/cc1fad182b6d6f8b1e352e206/files/ad195599-3904-3c74-2508-cb1aaf4345ba/Tariffs_Section_301_States_039_Complaint_ECF_2.pdf) is available.
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Original text here: https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-sues-trump-administration-stop-illegal-tariffs-0
A.G. Drummond Backs Senate Fauci Inquiry, Orders Oklahoma Investigation
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Aug. 5 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on Aug. 3, 2026:
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Drummond backs Senate Fauci inquiry, orders Oklahoma investigation
Attorney General Gentner Drummond today announced his support for the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee's investigation into Dr. Anthony Fauci and the federal government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Drummond also confirmed he has directed his own office to investigate whether Oklahoma law was violated in connection with Fauci's actions during the pandemic.
"The
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OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Aug. 5 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on Aug. 3, 2026:
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Drummond backs Senate Fauci inquiry, orders Oklahoma investigation
Attorney General Gentner Drummond today announced his support for the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee's investigation into Dr. Anthony Fauci and the federal government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Drummond also confirmed he has directed his own office to investigate whether Oklahoma law was violated in connection with Fauci's actions during the pandemic.
"TheAmerican people deserve a full accounting of what occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic," Drummond said. "An individual whose recommendations and guidance impacted the lives of millions should be willing to answer legitimate questions about their decisions and actions. Transparency and accountability are essential to restoring public trust."
In his letter to Committee Chairman Rand Paul, Drummmond emphasized concerns over Fauci's repeated invocation of the Fifth Amendment during his July 29 testimony, despite receiving an unconditional presidential pardon. Drummond also cited pandemic-era diary entries recently released by the Committee that appear to contradict, in material respects, statements Fauci made publicly and before Congress.
Based on information released by the Committee, Drummond has directed his office to determine whether Fauci's actions violated Oklahoma law, including whether the evidence supports potential offenses such as criminal fraud or conspiracy to defraud the State.
"The apparent contradictions between Fauci's public statements and private diary entries warrant careful scrutiny, and my office stands ready to assist the Committee in uncovering the truth," Drummond said. "If our investigation finds that Oklahoma law was violated, my office will not hesitate to act."
Read the Letter (https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/oag/news-documents/2026/august/Letter_Rand%20Paul%20RE%20Fauci%2008032026.pdf)
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INFODOC: https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/oag/news-documents/2026/august/Letter_Rand%20Paul%20RE%20Fauci%2008032026.pdf
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Original text here: https://oklahoma.gov/oag/news/newsroom/2026/august/drummond-backs-senate-fauci-inquiry-orders-oklahoma-investigation.html
