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Wash. Gov. Ferguson Joins U.S. Rep. Larsen to Discuss Impacts of Federal SNAP Cuts
OLYMPIA, Washington, Aug. 22 -- Gov. Bob Ferguson, D-Washington, issued the following news release:
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Governor Ferguson joins U.S. Rep. Larsen to discuss impacts of federal SNAP cuts
Families, school officials share personal stories during Lynnwood Elementary listening session
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LYNNWOOD -- At a listening session Thursday at Lynnwood Elementary School, Governor Bob Ferguson joined U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen and impacted community members to discuss the devastating impacts of federal cuts to food assistance programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.
During
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OLYMPIA, Washington, Aug. 22 -- Gov. Bob Ferguson, D-Washington, issued the following news release:
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Governor Ferguson joins U.S. Rep. Larsen to discuss impacts of federal SNAP cuts
Families, school officials share personal stories during Lynnwood Elementary listening session
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LYNNWOOD -- At a listening session Thursday at Lynnwood Elementary School, Governor Bob Ferguson joined U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen and impacted community members to discuss the devastating impacts of federal cuts to food assistance programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.
Duringthe site visit to a local summer meals program, Governor Ferguson and Congressman Larsen served bagged lunches to children. Then, they heard personal stories from families, local nonprofits and Edmonds School District staff about how the Trump Administration's attacks on the social safety net are disrupting efforts to feed hungry kids.
"The Trump Administration's attacks on safety net programs like SNAP harm our most vulnerable Washingtonians, all to pay for tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans," Governor Ferguson said. "This is not only morally wrong, it harms Washington's economy and puts a strain on other programs that support our kids. We will continue to protect Washingtonians from these cruel policies."
"President Trump and Republicans are attacking food assistance here in Northwest Washington state and across the country," Rep. Larsen said. "The long-term consequences of hungry families and children are profound. Not getting proper nutrition impacts kids' ability to grow up strong and healthy. It impacts kids' ability to focus in class. It impacts kids' ability to play sports. Republicans are making these cuts because they do not care about working families. They care about the richest Americans and the largest corporations, and the Big Ugly Law is a clear indication of that."
Approximately 1 million Washingtonians use SNAP benefits every month to purchase food. Thirty-four percent of Washingtonians who rely on SNAP benefits are children. As a result of the budget bill passed by Congress last month, known as H.R. 1, every Washingtonian who relies on SNAP will see their benefits reduced. At least 137,000 Washingtonians are at risk of losing their SNAP benefits altogether, due to new work requirements. H.R. 1 also made refugees and asylum seekers ineligible for assistance, affecting approximately 33,000 people.
The cuts will also cause ripple effects throughout the economy and put a strain on other food assistance programs, such as school districts' free and reduced lunch programs.
The USDA estimates that every $1 in SNAP benefits generates more than $1.50 in local economic activity. The losses in SNAP spending will translate to $360 million annually that will not be spent at grocery stores, farmers markets and other retailers. Downstream that affects the workers at grocery stores and markets, as well as the farmers who supply them.
The SNAP cuts will also shift the administrative burden to Washington state. Specifically, when the state share of SNAP benefits starts Oct. 1, 2027, it could cost the state between $100 million and $300 million per year.
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Original text here: https://governor.wa.gov/news/2025/governor-ferguson-joins-us-rep-larsen-discuss-impacts-federal-snap-cuts
N.H. Gov. Ayotte Highlights New Laws to Tackle Housing Crisis
CONCORD, New Hampshire, Aug. 22 -- Gov. Kelly Ayotte, R-New Hampshire, issued the following news release on Aug. 21, 2025:
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Governor Highlights New Laws to Tackle Housing Crisis
Today, Governor Kelly Ayotte, Mayor Jay Ruais, and legislators, housing advocates, and builders celebrated new laws to tackle the housing crisis during a ceremonial bill signing at NeighborWorks in Manchester.
"Tackling our housing crisis is critical to keeping New Hampshire the best state in the nation for economic opportunity," said Governor Ayotte. "From streamlining our state permitting process, to cutting
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CONCORD, New Hampshire, Aug. 22 -- Gov. Kelly Ayotte, R-New Hampshire, issued the following news release on Aug. 21, 2025:
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Governor Highlights New Laws to Tackle Housing Crisis
Today, Governor Kelly Ayotte, Mayor Jay Ruais, and legislators, housing advocates, and builders celebrated new laws to tackle the housing crisis during a ceremonial bill signing at NeighborWorks in Manchester.
"Tackling our housing crisis is critical to keeping New Hampshire the best state in the nation for economic opportunity," said Governor Ayotte. "From streamlining our state permitting process, to cuttingunnecessary red tape, to expanding opportunities for new housing construction, and more, we made important strides this year. I thank the legislators, advocates, and private sector partners who worked to bring these bills to my desk, and I look forward to continuing to work together to bring more housing to our state for our young people, our seniors, and for all of New Hampshire."
The Governor highlighted the following bills, which officially signed into law in July:
* HB 428: Establishes a uniform statewide building code to reduce confusion, cut red tape, and make housing safer and more affordable.
* HB 457: Prevents municipalities from restricting occupancy or discriminating based on household makeup, opening more affordable housing options.
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* B 577: Expands and simplifies rules for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), enabling more flexible, affordable housing options for families.
* HB 631: Enables the conversion of underused commercial properties into housing.
* SB 153: Sets a 60-day deadline for state driveway permits on multifamily projects to reduce delays and speed up construction of new housing.
* SB 173: Adjusts property tax assessments for housing build using the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program to support affordability and financial stability for low-income communities.
* SB 188: Permits licensed third-party inspectors to expedite safe building inspections, reducing delays and supporting faster development.
* SB 281: Makes it easier to build along non-maintained roads while protecting municipalities from added liability.
* SB 282: Allows cost-effective, safe construction of mid-sized residential buildings with one staircase under modern fire safety standards.
* SB 283: Modernizes zoning by removing outdated space and height restrictions to encourage efficient, smarter housing development.
* SB 284: Eases parking requirements for new housing to lower costs and promote smart growth.
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Original text here: https://www.governor.nh.gov/news/governor-highlights-new-laws-tackle-housing-crisis
N.C. Gov. Stein Announces Four Grants to Rural Communities to Attract 170 Jobs and More Than $74 Million of Investment
RALEIGH, North Carolina, Aug. 22 -- Gov. Josh Stein, D-North Carolina, issued the following news release on Aug. 21, 2025:
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Governor Stein Announces Four Grants to Rural Communities to Attract 170 Jobs and More Than $74 Million of Investment
N.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority approves $1.8 million in grant funding
Governor Josh Stein today announced that the Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved four grant requests to local governments totaling $1,872,019. The requests include commitments creating a total of 170 jobs. The public investment in these projects will attract more
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RALEIGH, North Carolina, Aug. 22 -- Gov. Josh Stein, D-North Carolina, issued the following news release on Aug. 21, 2025:
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Governor Stein Announces Four Grants to Rural Communities to Attract 170 Jobs and More Than $74 Million of Investment
N.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority approves $1.8 million in grant funding
Governor Josh Stein today announced that the Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved four grant requests to local governments totaling $1,872,019. The requests include commitments creating a total of 170 jobs. The public investment in these projects will attract morethan $74.5 million in private investment.
"North Carolina's rural communities are essential to our state's economy and culture," said Governor Josh Stein. "These rural infrastructure grants are a strategic investment in facilities, public services, and accessible health care that will lead to growth and opportunity in small towns across our state."
The RIA is supported by the rural economic development team at the North Carolina Department of Commerce. RIA members review and approve funding requests from local communities. Funding comes from a variety of specialized grant and loan programs offered and managed by N.C. Commerce's Rural Economic Development Division, led by Assistant Secretary for Rural Development Reginald Speight. Grants support a variety of activities, including infrastructure development; building renovation, expansion, and demolition; and site improvements.
"When we help cultivate the conditions for economic prosperity in rural North Carolina, our whole state benefits," said Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. "We are America's top state for business in part because of the strong partnerships we have with our rural counties and municipalities, which use RIA grants as tools to support the creation of good jobs."
The RIA approved three grant requests under the state's Building Reuse Program in two categories:
Vacant Building Category
* Anson County: A $500,000 grant will support the reuse of a 28,441-square-foot building in Ansonville. Halal Meat Slaughter House, Inc., a family-owned meat processing company, plans to relocate to this facility to expand its operations. With this project, the company is expected to create 61 jobs, while investing $4,465,631.
* Gaston County: A $500,000 grant will support the reuse of a 175,239-square-foot building in Bessemer City. At this site, Healsee Capsules, Inc., a global manufacturer of cellulose ethers and plant-based empty capsules, plans to establish its second U.S. location. The company plans to create 95 jobs while investing $69.5 million in this project.
Rural Health Building Category
* Alexander County: A $175,000 grant will support the reuse of a 15,995-square-foot, two-story former hospital building in Taylorsville. Urgent Care of Mountain View, LLC plans to relocate to this larger, more modern facility to expand its services. The health care provider offers immediate walk-in care for injuries and illnesses, as well as routine services including COVID-19 testing, flu testing, and occupational medicine. This project is expected to create 14 jobs with an investment of $551,143 by the organization.
The Building Reuse Program provides grants to local governments to renovate vacant buildings, renovate and/or expand buildings occupied by existing North Carolina companies, and renovate, expand, or construct health care facilities that will lead to the creation of new jobs in Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties, as well as rural census tracts of Tier 3 counties.
The RIA approved one grant request under the state's Industrial Development Fund - Utility Account program:
* Burke County: A $697,019 grant will assist the county with adding more than 2,500 feet of pipeline for natural gas to serve Burke Business Park, an 83-acre industrial park established in 2005.
The Industrial Development Fund - Utility Account provides grants to local governments located in the 80 most economically distressed counties of the state, which are classified as either Tier 1 or Tier 2. Funds may be used for publicly owned infrastructure projects that are reasonably expected to result in new job creation. The IDF - Utility Account is funded through a process tied to the state's signature Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) program. When JDIG-awarded companies choose to locate or expand in a Tier 2 or Tier 3 county, a portion of that JDIG award is channeled into the Utility Account.
In addition to reviewing and approving funding requests, the N.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority formulates policies and priorities for grant and loan programs administered by N.C. Commerce's Rural Economic Development team. Its 17 voting members are appointed by the Governor, Speaker of the House, and Senate President Pro Tem. The North Carolina Secretary of Commerce serves as a member of the authority, ex officio.
The RIA elected officers at this meeting. William "Bill" Webb from Richmond County is the authority's new chairman. Joe Sam Queen of Haywood County will serve as vice-chair.
Visit the Rural Economic Development Division webpage for more information (https://www.commerce.nc.gov/about-us/divisions-programs/rural-economic-development-division/).
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Original text here: https://governor.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2025/08/21/governor-stein-announces-four-grants-rural-communities-attract-170-jobs-and-more-74-million
Minn. Gov. Walz Visits Iron Range to Highlight Economic Investment
ST. PAUL, Minnesota, Aug. 22 -- Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release:
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Governor Walz Visits Iron Range to Highlight Economic Investment
Governor Walz attended a ribbon cutting for a new PreK-12 school, toured site of first new taconite mine in Minnesota in 50 years
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[NASHWAUK, MN] - Governor Tim Walz today visited the Iron Range to celebrate the new Nashwauk-Keewatin PreK-12 school and tour the site of what will be Minnesota's first new taconite mine in nearly 50 years. He was joined throughout the day by union leaders, international partners, and local community
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ST. PAUL, Minnesota, Aug. 22 -- Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release:
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Governor Walz Visits Iron Range to Highlight Economic Investment
Governor Walz attended a ribbon cutting for a new PreK-12 school, toured site of first new taconite mine in Minnesota in 50 years
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[NASHWAUK, MN] - Governor Tim Walz today visited the Iron Range to celebrate the new Nashwauk-Keewatin PreK-12 school and tour the site of what will be Minnesota's first new taconite mine in nearly 50 years. He was joined throughout the day by union leaders, international partners, and local communitymembers.
"This project shows what's possible when labor, industry, and communities come together to build for the future," said Governor Walz. "Minnesota has a proud history as a leader in mining, with steelworkers that are second to none. We are excited to see this progress in Nashwauk."
At Mesabi Metallics, Governor Walz toured the concentrator building, where the first line of equipment has been installed. The project represents one of the largest private investments in Minnesota history and is expected to create hundreds of union jobs on the Iron Range once fully operational.
The new Nashwauk-Keewatin PreK-12 school replaces aging buildings and brings all grade levels together under one roof. The project was funded through a combination of local, county, and state resources.
"This school is more than a building, it's a commitment to our kids and the future of this community," said Governor Walz. "For years, families here have called for a modernized space for students to learn and grow. Today, we celebrate their hard work and the bright future ahead for every student who walks through these doors."
Photos from the visits will be available on the Governor's Flickr.
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Original text here: https://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/press-releases/#/detail/appId/1/id/702653
In Blair County, Pa. Gov. Shapiro and Agriculture Secretary Redding Visit Kulp Dairy Farm to Highlight Administration's Work to Speed Up Permitting, Support Farmers, and Strengthen Rural Communities
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, Aug. 22 -- Gov. Josh Shapiro, D-Pennsylvania, issued the following news release on Aug. 21, 2025:
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In Blair County, Governor Shapiro and Agriculture Secretary Redding Visit Kulp Dairy Farm to Highlight Administration's Work to Speed Up Permitting, Support Farmers, and Strengthen Rural Communities
Kulp Dairy Farm received a key permit four months ahead of schedule for their expansion project thanks to the Shapiro Administration's work to cut red tape, speed up government, and support the agriculture sector.
With agriculture contributing $132 billion annually to
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HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, Aug. 22 -- Gov. Josh Shapiro, D-Pennsylvania, issued the following news release on Aug. 21, 2025:
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In Blair County, Governor Shapiro and Agriculture Secretary Redding Visit Kulp Dairy Farm to Highlight Administration's Work to Speed Up Permitting, Support Farmers, and Strengthen Rural Communities
Kulp Dairy Farm received a key permit four months ahead of schedule for their expansion project thanks to the Shapiro Administration's work to cut red tape, speed up government, and support the agriculture sector.
With agriculture contributing $132 billion annually toPennsylvania's economy and supporting over 600,000 jobs, Governor Shapiro and his Administration are helping farmers expand and modernize through faster permitting and strategic investments.
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Today, Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding joined Pennsylvania farmers and agriculture leaders at Kulp Dairy Farm in Blair County to highlight how the Shapiro Administration's work to modernize and accelerate permitting are delivering speed and predictably for farmers -- allowing them to invest and expand their operations.
From day one, Governor Shapiro has made cutting red tape and streamlining government a top priority. By speeding up permitting processes, his Administration is helping farmers like the Kulps expand their operations with confidence -- supporting jobs, boosting food production, and driving rural economic growth.
"From day one, my Administration has been laser-focused on cutting red tape and speeding up government so Pennsylvanians can get answers more quickly and move forward with their plans -- whether that's a dairy farm expanding, a barber opening a new shop, or a teacher starting in the classroom," said Governor Shapiro. "By modernizing the permitting process, we're helping family farms like the Kulps grow and thrive, while making sure our ag sector continues to feed our families and power our Commonwealth's economy."
Kulp Dairy Farm, a third-generation, family-owned farm founded in 1973, is planning a major expansion to add new animal housing barns, a milking parlor, a manure separation building, a waste storage pond, and other infrastructure improvements. The expansion will allow the farm to add nearly 1,000 dairy cows, increasing its capacity to supply milk to Land O'Lakes while sustaining and creating local jobs.
When the farm raised concerns earlier this year about potential delays in securing its stormwater construction permit, the Governor's Office of Transformation and Opportunity (OTO) and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) worked closely with the farm to expedite the process. As a result, the Kulps received their permit more than four months ahead of schedule. DEP completed its review in just 83 business days -- compared to the standard 117 days -- thanks to the Shapiro Administration's reforms and the Kulps' consistently high-quality applications, as the farm has expanded several times over the past few years.
"Governor Shapiro's leadership in streamlining permitting -- particularly environmental permits -- gives Pennsylvania farmers the certainty they need to move forward with confidence," said Secretary Redding. "Timely decisions mean farmers can invest in innovation, adopt conservation practices, and grow their businesses without being held back by delays. That's how we keep agriculture strong and sustainable for the future."
"Over the last 26 years, through hard work and the blessing of many great employees, our business has grown to 2,900 milking cows across three locations with 47 full-time employees," said Kyle Kulp, owner of Kulp Dairy Farm. "As my generation steps into leadership, we're excited to make the next large investment in our farm -- for the benefit of our cows, our employees, our community, and Pennsylvania agriculture. We're very appreciative of the strong communication and timeliness of the permitting process. From our initial submission on February 5 to final approval on August 7, the review was remarkably quick compared to historical norms -- a strong testament to the Governor and his team."
"Today is actually a celebration -- thank you, Governor Shapiro, for coming through with what you promised," said Chris Hoffman, President of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. "When he was campaigning, the Governor said he would be a tireless advocate for agriculture and that he would address our issues. And today, we're here to celebrate with the Kulp family a milestone -- something we've worked a really long time to achieve. Getting permits and forms together in a relatively short amount of time is critical to keeping farms moving. Agriculture doesn't sit still -- it moves at the speed of light -- and we need a government that runs with us, works with us, and delivers the support we need."
"We know that farmers are some of the best stewards of the land, and we're glad to keep farms and farm communities moving at the speed of business, without giving up environmental protections we all deserve," said DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley. "Thanks to the Shapiro Administration's investments in DEP staff and permitting efficiency, we were able to review and ultimately approve the permit for the Kulp Farm in less than half the normal time."
Delivering for Pennsylvania Agriculture and Cutting Red Tape
Since taking office, Governor Shapiro has brought Democrats and Republicans together to invest in new technologies, strengthen supply chains, and expand opportunity for farmers, growers, and producers. Pennsylvania's more than 50,000 farms feed families, support rural communities, and sustain the Commonwealth's rich agricultural heritage.
Agriculture is a cornerstone of Pennsylvania's economy, contributing $132 billion each year and supporting over 600,000 jobs. Under Governor Shapiro's leadership, the Commonwealth has made historic investments in agriculture while cutting red tape and modernizing government to help farms and agricultural businesses grow, including:
* Creating the first statewide Economic Development Strategy in nearly two decades with agriculture at the forefront.
* Fully funding the PA Farm Bill at $13.8 million annually to support workforce development, processing expansion, and market access
* Investing $1 million to launch the Organic Center of Excellence and establish the PA Preferred Organic(TM) brand
* Launching the Agricultural Innovation Grant Program with $10 million in state funding; in its first year, 88 farms and organizations in 45 counties received grants supporting 40 areas of innovation across 31 commodities
* Preserving more than 448 farms and nearly 37,200 acres of farmland with over $134 million in state investment
* Setting aside more than $65 million to mitigate Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and support poultry farmers
* Funding a state-of-the-art animal health lab in Western Pennsylvania to enhance disease testing and biosecurity
Expanding the Fresh Food Financing Initiative with $2 million to increase access to local food and support small businesses
* Investing $35 million to continue Clean Streams Fund support for the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP)
* Cutting overall permit, license, and certification times by 70 percent compared to 2022 -- including reducing DEP's permit backlog by 98 percent and eliminating the oil and gas permit backlog entirely
* Launching the Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion and Development (SPEED) program for Chapter 102 Individual NPDES Permits permits, allowing qualified professionals to conduct initial application reviews -- providing farmers more flexibility and predictability
* Cutting business filing wait times from eight weeks to just two days on average -- making it easier for entrepreneurs, including ag businesses, to start and expand
* Supporting more than 200 businesses through OTO, resolving 60 permitting challenges, and engaging with more than 35 companies considering expansion or relocation to Pennsylvania
In his 2025-26 proposed budget, Governor Shapiro has called for additional investments, including:
* $13 million more for the Agricultural Innovation Grant Program
* $4 million expansion of the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System
* $4 million increase to the State Food Purchase Program
* $2 million to fully operate the new state animal diagnostic lab
Governor Shapiro's leadership is ensuring Pennsylvania remains a national leader in agriculture -- building a more resilient agricultural economy, safeguarding the food supply, and securing a prosperous future for Pennsylvania's farming communities.
Learn more about the commonsense investments in the Governor's 2025-26 budget proposal at shapirobudget.pa.gov and how the Shapiro Administration is supporting Pennsylvania's farmers.
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Original text here: https://www.pa.gov/governor/newsroom/2025-press-releases/in-blair-county--gov-shapiro-and-agriculture-sec-redding-visit-k
Calif. Gov. Newsom Signs 'Election Rigging Response Act' Legislative Package; Gives People Power to Push Back on Trump's Attempts to Shred Democracy
SACRAMENTO, California, Aug. 22 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release:
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Governor Newsom signs 'Election Rigging Response Act' legislative package; Gives people power to push back on Trump's attempts to shred democracy
Proposition 50 - named for fair elections in all 50 states - heads to ballot this November
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Governor Gavin Newsom, alongside Speaker Robert Rivas and Senate pro Tempore Mike McGuire, signed the "Election Rigging Response Act" legislative package - giving Californians an opportunity this November to push back against President Trump's power
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SACRAMENTO, California, Aug. 22 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release:
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Governor Newsom signs 'Election Rigging Response Act' legislative package; Gives people power to push back on Trump's attempts to shred democracy
Proposition 50 - named for fair elections in all 50 states - heads to ballot this November
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Governor Gavin Newsom, alongside Speaker Robert Rivas and Senate pro Tempore Mike McGuire, signed the "Election Rigging Response Act" legislative package - giving Californians an opportunity this November to push back against President Trump's powergrab in Texas and other Republican-led states. In doing so, Proposition 50 - named for the 50 United States - would allow Californians an opportunity to bring some much-needed accountability to the Trump Administration.
"Californians have been uniquely targeted by the Trump Administration, and thanks to the hard work of the California legislature, they will have a choice to fight back -- and bring much needed accountability to Trump's efforts to undermine the democratic process." - Governor Gavin Newsom
About the legislative package
* Assembly Constitutional Amendment 8 (Rivas, McGuire): allows Californians the ability to adopt a new, temporary Congressional map, in response to the congressional redistricting in Texas, that neutralizes Trump's power grab.
* Senate Bill 280 (Cervantes, Pellerin): establishes timelines and procedures to conduct a statewide special election for Proposition 50, and provides the funding for the special election, set to take place on November 4, 2025.
* Assembly Bill 604 (Aguiar-Curry, Gonzalez): establishes the temporary Congressional District Maps that would take effect if the people vote to pass ACA 8 on November 4.
This bill package implements Governor Newsom's framework announced last week in Los Angeles at the Democracy Center, alongside leaders from across the Golden State like Planned Parenthood, labor unions, community organizations and educators, as well as key elected officials at the federal, state, and local level.
"California will not be a bystander to Trump's power grab," said Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas). "We are acting to defend our state from his attacks, by taking it directly to the voters. Californians believe in democracy and freedom, and we will not stand by while the House is hijacked by authoritarianism. Today, we gave every Californian the opportunity to stop Trump by saying yes to our people, to our state, and to American democracy."
"The Election Rigging Response Act legislation allows voters the chance to stop Trump and Republican attempts to blatantly steal our election," said pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D-North Coast). "This legislation is temporary, and it's all about fairness. And, today's action means we're fighting back for our democracy and our future -- not with fire -- but with the power of the voters and millions of folks across the Golden State."
Governor Newsom also issued a Proclamation calling the special election for November 4, 2025. A copy of the Proclamation is here (https://mclist.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=afffa58af0d1d42fee9a20e55&id=f297dba2f6&e=cf6d94251c).
Newsom fights back against Trump Administration's harmful policies
The Trump Administration has been particularly harmful to Californians. However, thanks to California's proactive efforts to defend its values against the federal administration, the state and ultimately the people have been able to recoup at least $168 billion in federal funding. This effort is a direct result of the special session to safeguard Californians earlier this year - so far spending $5 million to support the litigation, representing a 3,360,000% (3.4 million percent) return on investment.
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Original text here: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/08/21/governor-newsom-signs-election-rigging-response-act-legislative-package-gives-people-power-to-push-back-on-trumps-attempts-to-shred-democracy/
Calif. Gov. Newsom Advances Sites Reservoir Project to Expand California's Water Storage
SACRAMENTO, California, Aug. 22 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release:
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Governor Newsom advances Sites Reservoir project to expand California's water storage
What you need to know: California's strategies to expand water storage capacity and provide water to its 40 million residents continue, as Governor Newsom announces new funding to move the Sites Reservoir project forward.
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Governor Gavin Newsom is continuing to prepare the state for the water shortages impacting western states and the upcoming threat of a hotter, drier future. Today, the Governor
... Show Full Article
SACRAMENTO, California, Aug. 22 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release:
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Governor Newsom advances Sites Reservoir project to expand California's water storage
What you need to know: California's strategies to expand water storage capacity and provide water to its 40 million residents continue, as Governor Newsom announces new funding to move the Sites Reservoir project forward.
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Governor Gavin Newsom is continuing to prepare the state for the water shortages impacting western states and the upcoming threat of a hotter, drier future. Today, the Governorannounced that the state's Sites Reservoir infrastructure project is advancing forward and has received a nearly $219 million funding increase from the California Water Commission to ensure the project moves forward as quickly as possible. The additional funding is needed as a result of added costs from delays -- including inflation and expected construction cost increases.
"We can't wait to protect our state from water shortages - there are 40 million Californians depending on us. I am pleased to see the Sites Reservoir project move forward with additional funding, and urge the Legislature to continue to make our state's water future a priority. Each day that we delay these projects costs our state more money. The Legislature has an opportunity to make history by fast-tracking critical water infrastructure that will ensure we are resilient against droughts and can continue delivering necessary water - a basic human right -- to all Californians." - Governor Gavin Newsom
Sites Reservoir is a key component of the Governor's water strategy and will capture water from the Sacramento River during wet seasons and store it for use during drier seasons - holding up to 1.5 million acre-feet of water, enough to supply over 4.5 million homes for a year. The project will help California maintain a resilient water supply in the face of climate change, weather extremes, and water scarcity.
With this new infusion of funding, Sites is eligible for $1.094 billion in Proposition 1 funding. The total project cost is estimated at up to $6.8 billion, of which roughly $780 million will be financed through the federal government.
Governor Newsom previously streamlined the project, allowing the project to swiftly defeat a CEQA legal challenge. More information about the project can be found at build.ca.gov.
Preparing California's water infrastructure
Over the last few decades, the California climate has warmed, with the effects felt strongly in water resources. The state has already experienced a marked increase in the variability of precipitation, with wild swings from drought to flood. These threats were outlined in a recently released State Water Project Adaptation Strategy which assesses and details over a dozen different state actions to protect the state's water supply through the State Water Project.
Completing water infrastructure projects quickly is more important than ever. Through Governor Newsom's streamlining efforts, the administration is working to mitigate future cost increases and prepare California for a new climate reality.
Conveyance infrastructure will also be needed to move that water to where it is needed to take advantage of fast-moving storms. This is why Governor Newsom has also announced a legislative package to fast-track another key water infrastructure project, the Delta Conveyance Project, which will also help offset and recover California's future climate-driven water losses. The Delta Conveyance Project would expand the state's ability to improve water supply reliability, while also maintaining environmental and water quality protections. During atmospheric rivers last year, the Delta Conveyance Project could have captured enough water for 9.8 million people's yearly usage--further enhancing California's ability to provide water to its 40 million residents, in conjunction with other water infrastructure projects like Sites Reservoir.
Visit build.ca.gov
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Original text here: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/08/21/governor-newsom-advances-sites-reservoir-project-to-expand-californias-water-storage/
