States, Cities and Counties
Here's a look at documents covering state government, cities and counties
Featured Stories
Wash. State Treasurer Pellicciotti: Supreme Court Tariff Decision Rightly Constrains Presidential Authority
OLYMPIA, Washington, Feb. 22 -- Washington State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti issued the following statement on Feb. 20, 2026:
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Pellicciotti: Supreme Court Tariff Decision Rightly Constrains Presidential Authority
Responding to the United States Supreme Court's decision to strike down tariffs consistent with the Treasurer and Governor's legal argument to that Court, Washington State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti issued the following statement:
"Last spring I joined the Governor as we first put forward a legal argument on behalf of the people of Washington to challenge the president's unlawful
... Show Full Article
OLYMPIA, Washington, Feb. 22 -- Washington State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti issued the following statement on Feb. 20, 2026:
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Pellicciotti: Supreme Court Tariff Decision Rightly Constrains Presidential Authority
Responding to the United States Supreme Court's decision to strike down tariffs consistent with the Treasurer and Governor's legal argument to that Court, Washington State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti issued the following statement:
"Last spring I joined the Governor as we first put forward a legal argument on behalf of the people of Washington to challenge the president's unlawfulimposition of tariffs. Last fall I stood with Governor Ferguson, state legislators, labor unions, chambers of commerce and local elected officials from around Washington state to highlight the economic and cost of living harms facing our state if the Supreme Court did not strike down the unlawful and reckless tariffs imposed by President Trump.
"Our state's economy relies on stable, well-constructed trade policy. These unilaterally and chaotically implemented tariffs unlawfully drove up prices, threatened jobs, and increased the cost of business operations here in Washington.
"A president cannot tax Americans on a whim to reward favored businesses or foreign leaders. Today's decision made it clear that the President exceeded his authority by doing so.
"I want to thank the Governor for his leadership. Next week I will be in Washington, D.C. pressing Congress to reclaim its constitutional authority over tariffs and deliver real relief to Americans from the crushing cost of living today."
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Original text here: https://tre.wa.gov/about-us/media-center/2026/pellicciotti-supreme-court-tariff-decision-rightly-constrains-presidential-authority
Pa. State Sens. Langerholc, Ward, Stefano Announce Legislation to Reform Pharmacy Benefit Managers
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, Feb. 21 -- The Pennsylvania Senate Republicans issued the following news release on Feb. 20, 2026:
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Langerholc, Ward, Stefano Announce Legislation to Reform Pharmacy Benefit Managers
Sen. Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35), Sen. Judy Ward (R-30), and Sen. Pat Stefano (R-32) today announced their intent to introduce legislation to substantially reform pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to better serve Pennsylvania residents.
PBMs are third-party companies that act as intermediaries in the prescription drug supply chain, managing drug benefits on behalf of health insurers,
... Show Full Article
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, Feb. 21 -- The Pennsylvania Senate Republicans issued the following news release on Feb. 20, 2026:
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Langerholc, Ward, Stefano Announce Legislation to Reform Pharmacy Benefit Managers
Sen. Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35), Sen. Judy Ward (R-30), and Sen. Pat Stefano (R-32) today announced their intent to introduce legislation to substantially reform pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to better serve Pennsylvania residents.
PBMs are third-party companies that act as intermediaries in the prescription drug supply chain, managing drug benefits on behalf of health insurers,employers, government programs and others.
Act 77 of 2024 started the process of reigning in PBMs that were harming local pharmacies and jeopardizing the health and safety of commonwealth residents. While those reforms were an important step forward, additional action is needed to protect access to essential medical care.
The proposed legislation would grant the Office of Attorney General authority to review all contractual renewals and terminations between pharmacies and PBMs to assess their impact on local communities. It would also provide the Attorney General with statutory authority to pursue legal remedies against PBMs on behalf of the commonwealth and its residents, a power the office currently does not have.
Additionally, the legislation would require PBMs to appear in Pennsylvania courts for any cause of action arising from conduct within the commonwealth. This provision would prevent PBMs from forcing Pennsylvania residents to travel across the country to defend their access to essential medical care.
To improve government efficiency, the bill would require the state Board of Pharmacy to automatically notify PBMs of any disciplinary action taken against a pharmacy by the board or the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). It would also prohibit PBMs from holding a pharmacy license in Pennsylvania.
Finally, the legislation would expand contractual limitations established under Act 77 of 2024 by ensuring that terminations cannot occur solely based on the successful completion of corrective action plans, along with other measures designed to protect fair business practices and patient access to care.
"Over the past several months, I have worked collaboratively to address the current disruption in access to care in our region," said Langerholc. "While productive conversations have taken place, it is now clear that further legislative action is necessary. The residents of the commonwealth should not have their essential prescriptions held hostage due to a contractual dispute."
"Pharmacies are an important part of the medical team by providing patient access to life saving medications," said Ward. "By allowing the Office of Attorney General to provide oversight to pharmacy benefit managers, we can ensure there is transparency and accountability to pharmacies across the commonwealth. Many pharmacies, especially community pharmacies, have closed their doors because of unfair PBM practices which has left many individuals and communities without a local pharmacy. These patients are left without adequate access and now must drive great distances to have a prescription filled."
"Across our rural communities, we have consistently heard from constituents and businesses about the serious challenges that pharmacies are facing," Stefano said. "My focus continues to be on protecting access to care and supporting our community-based pharmacies, which are vital to our area's health and well-being."
The legislation will be introduced in the near future.
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Original text here: https://www.pasenategop.com/news/langerholc-ward-stefano-announce-legislation-to-reform-pharmacy-benefit-managers/
N.M. Environment Dept. Launches PFAS Dashboard for Drinking Water Systems
SANTA FE, New Mexico, Feb. 21 -- The New Mexico Department of Environment issued the following news release on Feb. 20, 2026:
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NMED launches PFAS dashboard for drinking water systems
New platform allows residents to view testing results, supports water safety
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The New Mexico Environment Department's Emerging Contaminants Program today launched an interactive dashboard that allows residents to view PFAS testing results for their local public water system.
Since its launch in 2024, the program has helped 523 New Mexico public water systems sample for PFAS. A total of 15 systems tested
... Show Full Article
SANTA FE, New Mexico, Feb. 21 -- The New Mexico Department of Environment issued the following news release on Feb. 20, 2026:
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NMED launches PFAS dashboard for drinking water systems
New platform allows residents to view testing results, supports water safety
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The New Mexico Environment Department's Emerging Contaminants Program today launched an interactive dashboard that allows residents to view PFAS testing results for their local public water system.
Since its launch in 2024, the program has helped 523 New Mexico public water systems sample for PFAS. A total of 15 systems testedabove federal drinking water standards for PFAS. Through the Emerging Contaminants Program, NMED is working with these systems to evaluate the contamination and remediation options.
"Clean, safe drinking water starts with data-driven science and transparent information," said Environment Secretary James Kenney. "By expanding free testing and making results publicly available, we're helping communities understand emerging contaminants and take action to protect public health."
"This program removes cost and access barriers for small and disadvantaged water systems," said Claudia Trueblood, NMED's Emerging Contaminants Program Manager. "We're giving communities the tools they need to stay informed and confident in their water quality by making this statewide sampling data easily accessible to the public." Many of the areas with patterns of exceedances are not near currently-known PFAS contamination -- highlighting that PFAS is not solely tied to sources, such as the military, that NMED has been addressing in recent years. Other potential sources of PFAS groundwater contamination include consumer products.
NMED is mitigating further contamination from PFAS-laden consumer products via rulemaking scheduled for Monday, February 23 through Friday, March 6. Members of the public interested in participating in the rulemaking can sign up for public comment every day from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. MT, virtually or in person. Links for remote participation can be found through NMED's Calendar.
The New Mexico Environment Department's Emerging Contaminants Program is an initiative funded through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities grant program, which provides states with resources to address contaminants of concern, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, in public water systems.
New Mexico has 650 public water systems eligible for the program, representing about 62% of the 1,055 water systems throughout the state. Around 81% of New Mexicans are served by public water systems that draw from groundwater, and 170,000 New Mexicans depend on private groundwater wells for drinking water.
The dashboard is designed to support public understanding of PFAS sampling efforts and provide communities with clear, accessible information about their water systems. As sampling continues, NMED will update the platform regularly with new results, assuring New Mexicans have access to the most current information available.
For more information and to access the ECP data platform, visit: https://www.env.nm.gov/pfas/state-pfas-study/.
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Original text here: https://www.env.nm.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-02-20-COMMS-NMED-launches-PFAS-dashboard-for-drinking-water-systems-Final.pdf
Hawaii Health Dept. Closes Jade Palace 2 For Multiple Food Safety Violations
HONOLULU, Hawaii, Feb. 21 -- The Hawaii Department of Health issued the following news release on Feb. 20, 2026:
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DOH CLOSES JADE PALACE 2 FOR MULTIPLE FOOD SAFETY VIOLATIONS
KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii -- The Hawai'i Department of Health (DOH) issued a red "closed" placard and immediately shut down Jade Palace 2, located at 75-5595 Palani Road in Kailua-Kona, due to multiple critical food safety violations.
The food establishment, operated by Minh Tuan Tran, received a red placard on Feb. 19 and must remain closed until the DOH conducts a follow-up inspection and all critical violations are resolved.
... Show Full Article
HONOLULU, Hawaii, Feb. 21 -- The Hawaii Department of Health issued the following news release on Feb. 20, 2026:
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DOH CLOSES JADE PALACE 2 FOR MULTIPLE FOOD SAFETY VIOLATIONS
KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii -- The Hawai'i Department of Health (DOH) issued a red "closed" placard and immediately shut down Jade Palace 2, located at 75-5595 Palani Road in Kailua-Kona, due to multiple critical food safety violations.
The food establishment, operated by Minh Tuan Tran, received a red placard on Feb. 19 and must remain closed until the DOH conducts a follow-up inspection and all critical violations are resolved.
During a routine inspection, the DOH inspector observed the following violations:
* An abundant amount of live and dead cockroaches throughout the facility including in food and on food-contact surfaces;
* Food was not stored to prevent contamination;
* Ready-to-eat (RTE) foods in the refrigerator were not properly date marked;
* Premises were not maintained free of insects, rodents and other pests;
* Mechanical dishwasher was not dispensing proper concentration of sanitizer;
* Hand-washing sinks were not equipped with soap and used for other purposes; and
* Physical facilities were not maintained and cleaned.
The DOH is requiring the food establishment to take the following corrective actions:
* Discard all contaminated food products;
* Increase professional pest control operator (PCO) services and submit the service report to the DOH;
* Thoroughly clean and disinfect all food and non-food contact surfaces;
* Remove unnecessary equipment and supplies to prevent harborage sites;
* Retrain employees on proper food organization and date marking; and
* Have the mechanical dishwasher repaired.
The DOH Food Safety Branch protects and promotes the health of Hawai'i residents and visitors through education of food industry workers and regulation of food establishments statewide. The branch conducts routine health inspections of food establishments where food products are prepared, manufactured, distributed, or sold.
For more information on the department's placarding program visit the Food Safety Branch website (https://health.hawaii.gov/san/). For updates on food establishment inspections, visit the FSB Inspections Site (https://inspections.myhealthdepartment.com/soh).
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Original text here: https://health.hawaii.gov/news/newsroom/doh-closes-jade-palace-2-for-multiple-food-safety-violations/
Governor Moore Concludes National Governors Association Winter Meeting, Advancing Bipartisan Solutions for Maryland
ANNAPOLIS, Maryland, Feb. 21 -- Gov. Wes Moore, D-Maryland, issued the following news release:
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Governor Moore Concludes National Governors Association Winter Meeting, Advancing Bipartisan Solutions for Maryland
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ANNAPOLIS, MD - Governor Wes Moore today concluded three days of engagements at the 2026 National Governors Association (NGA) Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C. Serving as the NGA Vice Chair, Governor Moore met with more than 40 governors from across the country to advance a state-centered vision for economic growth, public safety, and bipartisan collaboration. Throughout the
... Show Full Article
ANNAPOLIS, Maryland, Feb. 21 -- Gov. Wes Moore, D-Maryland, issued the following news release:
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Governor Moore Concludes National Governors Association Winter Meeting, Advancing Bipartisan Solutions for Maryland
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ANNAPOLIS, MD - Governor Wes Moore today concluded three days of engagements at the 2026 National Governors Association (NGA) Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C. Serving as the NGA Vice Chair, Governor Moore met with more than 40 governors from across the country to advance a state-centered vision for economic growth, public safety, and bipartisan collaboration. Throughout themeeting, the governor emphasized the importance of continued partnership with the states' chief executives in order to develop policy solutions that deliver tangible results for Marylanders.
"At a time when our nation feels more divided than ever, governors are proving that we can still find common ground to solve the most pressing challenges facing our communities," said Gov. Moore. "Whether we are strengthening our workforce, securing our critical infrastructure, or expanding economic opportunity, we are most effective when we work together. In Maryland, we aren't just talking about bipartisanship; we are using it as a tool to leave no one behind and win the decade."
Governor Moore began the NGA winter meeting by joining fellow governors for a discussion on immigration reform, focusing on the economic impacts of federal policy on critical sectors like construction, agriculture, and hospitality. Afterwards, Governor Moore participated in a fireside chat alongside NGA Chair and Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt at the POLITICO Governors Summit, where he spoke to the importance of NGA in sustaining the enduring partnership between the nation's governors.
Governor Moore: "This is a decades-long tradition that has existed where governors from around the country come and we meet about issues of real importance to all of us. And so whether we're going to be talking about issues of immigration reform, whether we're talking about issues of energy, whether we're talking about issues of transportation and employment, or how we think about the future of technology and AI, we've got big issues that we are working on together. And so it's just a reminder that there is no person nor one administration that can break that bond."
Later in the day, as a member of the Council of Governors, Governor Moore met with senior officials from the U.S. Department of Defense and the White House to discuss cybersecurity and critical infrastructure. The governor specifically advocated for strengthening coordination on cybersecurity and disaster response and recovery efforts. The governor also emphasized to federal leaders the strategic importance of Maryland's defense installations-including Fort Meade and the National Security Agency-to the nation's homeland defense mission.
On Friday, after attending a bipartisan business meeting at the White House, Governor Moore continued collaborative discussions focused on strengthening the working relationship between the states and the federal government through NGA. The governor then participated in the Winter Meeting's opening plenary session, focused on NGA Chair Governor Kevin Stitt's "Reigniting the American Dream" initiative. The yearlong initiative focuses on three core policy pillars: unlocking economic opportunity through entrepreneurship; empowering every learner through reimagined education; and energizing the future through AI innovation and energy infrastructure.
Friday afternoon, Governor Moore met with United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper MP, British Ambassador Sir Christian Turner KCMG, and Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories Stephen Doughty MP. During their meeting, the governor discussed Maryland's long-standing relationship with the United Kingdom and shared priorities for supporting young men and boys. The United Kingdom-home to companies including AstraZeneca and McLaren -is Maryland's top source of foreign direct investment and employment with 116 United Kingdom firms employing nearly 48,000 Marylanders.
This morning, Governor Moore began the day with the Appalachian Regional Commission Quorum Meeting, where he announced that Maryland successfully secured a $200,000 award for Allegany College of Maryland to launch the Appalachian Business Builders project. This project, which was a priority of the governor's as the 2025 ARC States' co-chair, will help launch a regional community development financial institution to expand access to capital for rural entrepreneurs in Allegany, Garrett, and Washington counties.
"This investment is a direct win for Western Maryland and a testament to what we can achieve through regional partnership," said Gov. Moore. "By launching this institution, we are empowering our rural entrepreneurs with the capital they need to build the businesses and create the jobs that strengthen our communities."
Following the ARC meeting, the governor moderated a panel on "The Power of Service," focusing on how states can better support military families and veterans. As co-chair of the NGA-Blue Star Families' " Do Your Part: State Leadership to Support Military Families " initiative, Governor Moore highlighted Maryland's nation-leading work to honor the service of veterans and military families. The governor also highlighted First Lady Dawn Moore's leadership in championing the Moore-Miller Administration's commitment to uplifting Maryland's military families.
The session coincided with the release of a comprehensive toolkit, co-developed by this bipartisan initiative, to help other states adopt the best practices demonstrated in Maryland under Governor Moore's leadership.
After leading the panel discussion, the Winter Meeting concluded with a series of sessions and meetings on lowering costs for working families, solving state challenges through public-private partnerships, and addressing political division. Following the governor's final meetings, he met with West Point cadets participating in the American Politics Program for a conversation about leadership and the importance of service.
"This organization is leaving this weekend with not just an understanding of why this moment is important but a gratefulness that it was America's governors who helped to lead the way," said Gov. Moore. "We're all leaving here knowing that we're going to fight on behalf of our people. We're always going to make our voices heard. We're going to speak truth to power if necessary. As governors, we won't always agree on every issue. But we will agree on certain facts like the importance of states' rights...the importance of state executive leadership inside this moment, and the priority of putting America first. Not petty partisan differences. Not silly partisan attacks. Putting America first. That's what America's governors just did."
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Original text here: https://governor.maryland.gov/news/press/pages/Governor-Moore-Concludes-National-Governors-Association-Winter-Meeting,-Advancing-Bipartisan-Solutions-for-Maryland.aspx
Fla. State Board of Education Admonishes Statewide Union for Encouraging Students to Protest
TALLAHASSEE, Florida, Feb. 21 -- The Florida State Board of Education issued the following news on Feb. 20, 2026:
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State Board of Education Admonishes Statewide Union for Encouraging Students to Protest
Today, the State Board of Education addressed recent politically motivated activity by the Florida Education Association (FEA) that prioritized activism over learning, underscoring the State Board's commitment to protecting instructional time. State Board members expressed serious concern that FEA publicly promoted student protests during valuable instructional hours and then stayed silent
... Show Full Article
TALLAHASSEE, Florida, Feb. 21 -- The Florida State Board of Education issued the following news on Feb. 20, 2026:
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State Board of Education Admonishes Statewide Union for Encouraging Students to Protest
Today, the State Board of Education addressed recent politically motivated activity by the Florida Education Association (FEA) that prioritized activism over learning, underscoring the State Board's commitment to protecting instructional time. State Board members expressed serious concern that FEA publicly promoted student protests during valuable instructional hours and then stayed silentwhile students faced disciplinary actions that could affect their permanent records. The State Board also praised proposed legislation that will offer practical solutions to increase union accountability.
"Florida's classrooms are for learning, not political activism," said Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. "When the state's teachers' union encourages students to walk out of class to protest, it not only contradicts their claimed support for educators but also sends a harmful message about the role and purpose of public schools. Our focus must remain on students and their academic achievement."
"Florida's teachers' unions are in urgent need of reform. I applaud Senator Martin and Representative Persons-Mulicka for leading the charge with Senate Bill 1296 and House Bill 995. These measures are designed to hold unions accountable and ensure that representation in our schools actually reflects the educators it serves," said Ryan Petty, Chair of the State Board of Education.
"Senate Bill 1296 and House Bill 995 will give teachers a genuine choice in whether unions represent them or not," said MaryLynn Magar, Vice Chair of the State Board of Education. "Once signed into law, this legislation will allow our school leaders and teachers to stay focused on what matters most: serving our students."
"When I served on the School Board of Broward County, it was challenging to work with teachers' unions. Too frequently, their focus shifted from supporting educators and students to advancing their own agendas, which slows efforts to improve our schools," said Daniel Foganholi, Sr., State Board of Education Member. "It's essential that changes for unions provide clear accountability, so they can prioritize what truly matters, helping teachers succeed and students thrive."
The FEA held a press conference on February 5, 2026, where a speaker characterized the student protests against law enforcement as a "...response, while framed by some political politicians as radical, is rather reasonable. It's rational. And in moments like this, it is required." Union leaders can be seen in the background nodding in agreement. FEA's President, Andrew Spar, was in attendance and chose to remain silent. President Spar only responded after the matter drew public attention and parents voiced strong objections.
The Florida Department of Education recently issued guidance to school districts clarifying expectations related to student protests, safety and instructional time. While students may peacefully express their views, districts are expected to prevent disruptions to classroom instruction and maintain safe learning environments.
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Original text here: https://www.fldoe.org/newsroom/latest-news/state-board-of-education-admonishes-statewide-union-for-encouraging-students-to-protest.stml
Attorney General Alan Wilson fights to protect free speech from big tech censorship
COLUMBIA, South Carolina, Feb. 21 -- South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson issued the following news:
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Attorney General Alan Wilson fights to protect free speech from big tech censorship
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has joined a multistate letter to YouTube and its parent company, Alphabet Inc., raising concerns about the censorship of conservative speech.
"Companies do not have to agree with consumers or those who use their services," Attorney General Wilson stated. "But disagreement doesn't mean suppression and censorship of those consumers' viewpoints."
The letter
... Show Full Article
COLUMBIA, South Carolina, Feb. 21 -- South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson issued the following news:
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Attorney General Alan Wilson fights to protect free speech from big tech censorship
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has joined a multistate letter to YouTube and its parent company, Alphabet Inc., raising concerns about the censorship of conservative speech.
"Companies do not have to agree with consumers or those who use their services," Attorney General Wilson stated. "But disagreement doesn't mean suppression and censorship of those consumers' viewpoints."
The letternotes that Alphabet admitted in a 2025 letter that Biden administration officials "conducted repeated and sustained outreach" regarding user-generated content related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For example, commentators in Iowa may have been negatively affected by YouTube's election fraud policies. YouTube prohibited CPAC from posting footage from the 2022 CPAC conference in Dallas, Texas, for an entire week.
"As Attorney General, my chief aim is to protect the public," Attorney General Wilson said. "Deceptive acts and censorship of political viewpoints only serve to harm our institutions and political environment.
Attorney General Alan Wilson joined this letter along with Iowa, Texas, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and South Dakota.
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Mr. Kent Walker, Chief Legal Officer, Alphabet Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, kentwalker@google.com
Copy to:
Mr. Sundar Pichai, Chief Executive Officer, Alphabet, Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, California 94043
Mr. Neal Mohan, Chief Executive Officer, YouTube, 901 Cherry Ave., San Bruno, CA 94066
Mr. Walker:
We write in response to concerning information Alphabet, Inc. ("Alphabet") provided to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary about YouTube's censorship of topics of public concern after pressing by the Biden Administration.
In its September 23, 2025, letter, Alphabet admitted that Senior Biden Administration officials "conducted repeated and sustained outreach to Alphabet and pressed the Company regarding certain user-generated content related to the COVID-19 pandemic that did not violate its policies."
Alphabet also admitted that "the Administration's officials, including President Biden, created a political atmosphere that sought to influence the actions of platforms based on their concerns regarding misinformation." In its letter testimony, Alphabet continued to describe how Alphabet implemented and then discontinued content moderation policies related to COVID-19 and election fraud. The letter invited back content creators whose channels had been terminated for repeatedly violating these policies. The admissions in the letter are supported by evidence detailed in the U.S. House of Representatives May 1, 2024 Interim Staff Report of the Committee on the Judiciary.
In the letter, Alphabet affirmed that YouTube "takes seriously the importance of protecting free expression and access to a range of viewpoints" and "values conservative voices on its platform and recognizes that these creators have extensive reach and play an important role in civic discourse." Yet, we have received concerns about continued suppression of conservative voices, including voices whose YouTube channels were negatively affected by YouTube's COVID-19 and election fraud policies that are no longer in effect.
We have also received troubling reports that commentators in Iowa may have been negatively affected by YouTube's COVID-19 and election fraud policies. This reflects the details in a comment letter filed on behalf of The Blaze commentator Steve Deace.
In September 2022, footage from an American Conservative Union's Conservative Political Action Conference ("CPAC") that took place in Dallas, Texas was reportedly removed from YouTube.1 After the video was removed, YouTube prohibited CPAC from posting for one week. YouTube cited "medical misinformation" concerning COVID-19, as the reason it removed CPAC's video. We look forward to working with Alphabet to ensure that its current practices reflect its own statements in support of conservative voices.
Our office is entrusted with protecting the public from deceptive acts or practices. To ensure that YouTube's operations comport with its public representations and without violating consumer protection laws, we ask that you provide information described below regarding YouTube's treatment of politically conservative content creators and channels between January 1, 2019, to present.
1. Can YouTube content moderators, employees, or contractors flag content creators or channels for individualized treatment? Individualized treatment can include demonetization, deboosting, decreasing visibility, or other actions that treat a specific channel or creator differently based on factors outside the normal course of YouTube's algorithm.
2. Are content creators always notified when their channel or content has been marked for individualized treatment?
3. Explain all circumstances in which content, a channel, or a content creator could be flagged for individualized treatment and this action is not specifically disclosed to the content creator.
4. Does YouTube flag certain content creators or channels for additional scrutiny? Are content creators always notified when their content has been flagged for additional scrutiny? Explain all circumstances in which content, a channel, or a content creator could be flagged for additional scrutiny and this action is not specifically disclosed to the content creator.
5. Does YouTube flag certain topics or phrases for more scrutiny?
6. If yes, Are those topics or phrases disclosed; and if yes, how?
7. Does YouTube maintain lists of content creators or channels whose accounts have not been terminated but who will not be amplified, suggested, or recommended to the degree that they otherwise would have been? Are content creators or channels informed of any such treatment? If so, how?
8. Does YouTube limit the visibility or impressions of certain content, content creators, or channels without informing the channel or content creator of this treatment? If so, how?
9. Did YouTube limit the visibility of Iowan Steve Deace or programming on the Blaze Media platform between 2019 and present?
10. Please provide copies of all documents from January 1, 2019, to present that reflect any formal or informal actions taken by YouTube with respect to the following YouTube channels:
a. https://www.youtube.com/@deaceshow
b. https://www.youtube.com/@sdeace
c. https://www.youtube.com/@blazetv
d. https://www.youtube.com/@thedailywire
e. https://www.youtube.com/@CPACplus
We ask for your response by April 16, 2026.
Sincerely,
Brenna Bird, Attorney General of Iowa
Ken Paxton, Attorney General of Texas
Stephen J. Cox, Attorney General of Alaska
Tim Griffin, Attorney General of Arkansas
James Uthmeier, Attorney General of Florida
Raul R. Labrador, Attorney General of Idaho
Todd Rokita, Attorney General of Indiana
Kris Kobach, Attorney General of Kansas
Liz Murrill, Attorney General of Louisiana
Catherine Hanaway, Attorney General of Missouri
Austin Knudsen, Attorney General of Montana
Mike Hilgers, Attorney General of Nebraska
Drew Wrigley, Attorney General of North Dakota
Gentner Drummond, Attorney General of Oklahoma
Alan Wilson, Attorney General of South Carolina
Marty Jackley, Attorney General of South Dakota
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1 YouTube Removed CPAC Footage Of Donald Trump, Other Prominent Conservatives Due To 'Misinformation,' Group Says
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Original text here: https://www.scag.gov/about-the-office/news/attorney-general-alan-wilson-fights-to-protect-free-speech-from-big-tech-censorship/
