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Maryland Governor Honors Senate President Emeritus Thomas Mike Miller

Governor Hogan Honors the Life and Legacy of Senate President Emeritus Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. ANNAPOLIS, MD (STL.News) As the Maryland Senate paid tribute to President Emeritus Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr., Governor Hogan reflected on his lifelong friendship with the nation’s longest continuously serving presiding officer. Following are the governor’s remarks as delivered: “It’s an honor to have this opportunity to say a few words about my lifelong friend, Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. The First Lady and I extend our deepest sympathies to Mike’s family; to his incredible wife Patti, whose application for sainthood I have already submitted to the Holy Father; to their children, Tommy, Missy, Michelle, Melanie, and Amanda; to Mike’s eight surviving brothers and sisters, who got the exp...

Politics

Texas Governor Abbott, TDEM Expand COVID-19 Rapid Testing Program

Governor Abbott, TDEM Expand COVID-19 Rapid Testing Program For Front Line Workers Of Small Businesses Austin, TX (STL.News) Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) today announced the expansion of the COVID-19 Rapid Testing Program for front line workers at Texas small businesses by dedicating 1 million BinaxNow Rapid Tests to the program. The COVID-19 Small Business Rapid Testing Program launched in December as a pilot program and has helped small businesses throughout the state conduct rapid tests on employees to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Through this program, TDEM will provide local Chamber of Commerce organizations with COVID-19 testing supplies that will then be allocated by the Chambers of Commerce to local small businesses that choose ...

Politics

New York Governor: SUNY Alfred to Improve Glass Recycling

Governor Cuomo Announces Nation's First-Ever Center for Glass Innovation at SUNY Alfred to Improve Glass Recycling NYS College of Ceramics at SUNY Alfred to Lead Innovative, Three-Year Research and Collaboration Initiative Fulfills Governor's 2020 State of the State Proposal to Promote New Glass Production and Reuse Options New York (STL.News) Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a new nation-leading collaboration with the State College of Ceramics at Alfred University to bolster markets for recycled glass and improve the quality of glass available for recovery throughout New York. The Center for Glass Innovation was first announced in the Governor's 2020 State of the State Address and will play an instrumental role in helping recycling markets and municipal recycling programs find...

Politics

Arizona Governor Proposes to Invest for Rural broadband

PHOENIX, AZ (STL.News) Governor Doug Ducey is urging the Legislature to strongly support his proposal to invest more than $40 million in a dramatic expansion of broadband in rural Arizona. “Reliable, high-speed internet is crucial for health care, public safety, education and economic development,” said Governor Ducey. “The broadband investments from our budget will decrease the cost of commercial broadband development and accelerate high-speed connectivity to our rural communities. This ensures that more Arizonans can connect to the digital tools that have become so essential.” Governor Ducey’s broadband proposal is a central element of the state spending plan announced on Jan. 15. It includes investing $33.1 million to install broadband conduit and fiber from Flagstaff to the Ca...

Politics

Florida Approaching 1 Million Seniors Vaccinated

Governor Ron DeSantis joined 100-year-old WWII veteran Henry Sayler as he received vaccine TALLAHASSEE, FL (STL.News) Today, Governor Ron DeSantis joined decorated World War II veteran and centenarian Henry Sayler to witness Sayler receiving his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This moment commemorates Florida nearing 1 million seniors vaccinated in the state. “Florida is reaching a milestone as we work to rapidly deploy vaccines to seniors,” said Governor DeSantis. “Our successful Seniors First strategy in Florida has allowed us to target this key population and narrow in on 1 million people 65 and older vaccinated – the first state in the nation to do so. It was an honor to witness Henry Sayler receive his first dose of the vaccine today.” Governor DeSantis’ targeted approac...

Politics

Illinois Governor: Appointment to Sports Facilities Authority

Springfield, IL (STL.News) Building on a strong team of diverse experts in their fields, Governor JB Pritzker announced the following appointment in his administration: Leslie Darling will serve as Chair of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority.* Darling currently serves as the Executive Vice President and General Counsel at the Art Institute of Chicago. She has served on the ISFA Board of Directors since December 2019. Previously, she served the City of Chicago in various capacities as the Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago Infrastructure Trust, the First Assistant Corporation Counsel in the Department of Law, and as Legislative Counsel in the Mayor's Office. She was a Partner at the law firm of Ungaretti & Harris for seven years. Additionally, she served on Governor JB...

Politics

North Carolina Governor Appoints Superior Court Judge

Raleigh, NC (STL.News) Governor Roy Cooper has appointed William “Bill” Wolfe to serve as a Superior Court Judge in Judicial District 7C, serving Edgecombe and Wilson counties. “Bill Wolfe’s legal abilities are well known in this district that he has served for years and I am pleased he is willing to continue his service on the bench,” Gov. Cooper said. William “Bill” Wolfe will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Walter Godwin. Since 1995, Wolfe has served as an Assistant District Attorney for the State of North Carolina in Wilson, Nash and Edgecombe counties. Previously, he was an Associate Attorney at Everett, Warren, Harper and Swindell. Wolfe earned his Bachelor of Science from University of North Carolina at Wilmington and his Juris Doctor from Campbell Univer...

Politics

New Mexico: New Leaders Stepped in at State Agencies

SANTA FE, NM (STL.News) New leaders have stepped in for retirees at the Regulation and Licensing Department and Veterans Services Department. Linda Trujillo is the incoming superintendent of the Regulation and Licensing Department, succeeding Marguerite Salazar who retired late last year. Trujillo was previously a state representative and worked as an educator and attorney and served on the board of Santa Fe Public Schools before returning to state government. Her previous work at the state included 11 years of service; she began at RLD as deputy director of the Boards and Commissions Division and was later appointed the state records administrator. She earned a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Evergreen State College in Olympia, Wash., and her law degree from Seattle ...

Politics

Pennsylvania Governor Nominates Alison Beam as Secretary of Health

Gov. Wolf to Nominate Alison Beam as Secretary of Health, Names Dr. Wendy Braund as Interim Acting Physician General Harrisburg, PA (STL.News) Governor Tom Wolf announced his intention to nominate Alison Beam to serve as Secretary of the Department of Health and named Dr. Wendy Braund Interim Acting Physician General. “Alison Beam is a talented public servant who brings years of experience in health care policy and implementation to this position,” said Gov. Wolf. “Alison knows that a strong, widely available, and successful vaccination strategy is the path out of the pains of this pandemic. Her foremost and immediate focus will be on the strategic distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine, making sure Pennsylvania receives as many doses as possible from the federal government, and that t...

Politics

Pennsylvania Governor: Photo Printing Lab Relocated to York County

Gov. Wolf Announces Photo Printing Lab Moving Out-of-State Headquarters to York County, Creating More Than 100 New Jobs Harrisburg, PA (STL.News) Governor Tom Wolf announced that Nations Photo Lab, an affiliate of Gallery Blocks LLC (d/b/a Artsy Couture) — a leading professional full-service photography printing lab formerly headquartered in Cockeysville, Maryland — has its headquarters to Springettsbury Township, York County. The relocation will create 125 new, full-time jobs in the Susquehanna Valley. “In this digital era, memories can be captured using many different devices, but they can only be eternally preserved in print,” said Gov. Wolf. “Pennsylvania is happy to welcome Artsy Couture to the commonwealth and is proud to support them as they create jobs, capture life’s moment...

Politics

South Dakota Governor: Legislation to Simplify City Zoning Regulations

PIERRE, South Dakota (STL.News) Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced that she will introduce a bill to simplify city zoning regulations and ease the permitting process for homebuilders and homeowners in South Dakota. “South Dakota’s housing market is booming, and that’s tremendous news, but we don’t want home prices to skyrocket as a result,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “We’re streamlining zoning regulations at the city level, building off last year’s success, to ensure that the cost of living remains affordable for residents of our great state. Restrictive zoning laws make it harder for South Dakotans – especially our young people – to find affordable housing. It is essential that we make changes like these to help young adults and young families achieve the American Dream of owning...

Politics

Utah Governor Applauds 3. 6% Unemployment Rate

SALT LAKE CITY UT (STL.News) Utah’s unemployment rate hit 3.6% in December, dropping below 4% for the first time since March 2020, according to data released Friday by the U.S. Department of Labor. Nearly 8,000 people entered the labor force in December, a signal of greater optimism among job seekers and more workers available to meet employer demand. Sectors including finance, insurance, professional services, retail and wholesale trade and construction saw especially robust gains. The number of unemployed Utahns was estimated at 60,100 in December, which remains about 20,000 higher than pre-pandemic levels. Arts, entertainment and hospitality continue to lag. “Utah has consistently been among the top economic performers in the nation and this latest data point again shows our ...

Politics

Kentucky Governor Beshear: Vaccination for Educators

FRANKFORT, KY (STL.News) Gov. Andy Beshear joined school and municipal leaders in Louisville as nearly 1,200 educators with Jefferson County Public Schools received COVID-19 vaccinations, highlighting Kentucky’s efforts to protect all of its K-12 staffers. “From adapting to new instruction modes to help our children learn, to packing and delivering meals to ensure no child went hungry and so much more, our educators and school staffers have stepped up in countless ways to help during this pandemic,” the Governor said. “The entire commonwealth owes all our teachers, bus drivers and school staff a tremendous debt of gratitude. Now, once again, they are answering the call as we prioritize their vaccinations in an effort to get our schools fully reopened. On behalf of everyone in the com...

Politics

Maine Governor Mills Nominates Melanie Loyzim

Governor Mills Nominates Melanie Loyzim to Serve as Commissioner of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection Augusta, ME (STL.News) Governor Janet Mills announced today she has nominated Melanie Loyzim to serve as Commissioner of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Loyzim has served as Acting Commissioner of the DEP since August 14, 2020 and has worked in various roles within the Department since 2006. “With Melanie’s extensive experience and her proven commitment to protecting and preserving our precious lands and waters, I am confident that she will ably lead the Department of Environmental Protection,” said Governor Janet Mills. “I am honored to be nominated by Governor Mills to lead the Department where I have spent much of my career,” said Loyzim. ...

Politics

New Hampshire: Gordon MacDonald Confirmed as Chief Justice

Justice Prevails: Gordon MacDonald Confirmed as Chief Justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court Concord, NH (STL.News) Today, after the Executive Council voted to confirm Attorney General Gordon MacDonald as Chief Justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court, Governor Chris Sununu issued the following statement: “Attorney General Gordon MacDonald is one of the most highly qualified individuals ever to serve as Chief Justice and will lead New Hampshire’s highest court with distinction,” said Governor Chris Sununu. “I would like to thank Councilors Wheeler, Kenney, Gatsas, and Stevens for carefully considering Gordon’s outstanding qualifications.”

Politics

New Hampshire Governor Orders Return of National Guard

Concord, NH (STL.News) This morning, Governor Chris Sununu ordered the immediate return of all NH National Guardsmen and women from Washington, D.C., after alarming reports surfaced that National Guardsmen from across the country were forced to sleep in unheated parking garages: "I’ve ordered the immediate return of all New Hampshire National Guardsmen and women from Washington DC," said Governor Chris Sununu. "They did an outstanding job serving our nation’s capital in a time of strife and should be graciously praised, not subject to substandard conditions."

Politics

Utah Governor Criticizes Biden Action To Halt Energy Leases

Gov. Spencer Cox And Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, Utah’s Congressional Delegation, And State Elected Officials Criticize Biden Action To Halt Energy Leases On Federal Lands SALT LAKE CITY UT (STL.News) Gov. Spencer J. Cox, Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, Utah Sens. Mike Lee and Mitt Romney, Reps. John Curtis, Blake Moore, Chris Stewart and Burgess Owens, Senate President Stuart Adams, House Speaker Brad Wilson and Attorney General Sean Reyes issued the following joint statement in response to the Biden administration’s action to suspend oil and gas leases on public lands: “The Biden administration’s arbitrary decision to suspend oil and gas leasing and permitting on federal lands is a serious mistake that will harm the same small Utah businesses that are already hurting from the pandemic. T...

Politics

Kansas Governor: On Senate’s Rejection of Carl Folsom Appointment

Governor Laura Kelly’s Statement on Kansas Senate’s Decision to Again Reject the Appointment of Carl Folsom to the Court of Appeals Topeka, KS (STL.News) Governor Laura Kelly’s statement in response to the Kansas Senate’s decision to reject the appointment of Carl Folsom to the Kansas Court of Appeals for the second time. “I am incredibly disappointed that certain members of the Kansas Senate have again decided to deny Carl Folsom, who is eminently qualified, his chance to serve the people of Kansas on our state’s Court of Appeals. “Carl’s appointment was universally supported by Kansas’ legal community including President Trump-appointed United States Attorney Stephen McAllister and former Republican Vice President of the Kansas Senate Jeff King. “After the division and tragedy ...