JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A up-to-date year of legislation and politics is underway in statehouses. Governors are moving quickly to lay out their plans. And in many cases, President-elect Donald Trump’s influence is already spreading across states in both symbolic and substantive ways.
Some state officials are trying to address concerns that drove Trump to take office, such as the economy, affordable housing and immigration. Some are emulating Trump’s Government Efficiency Board, although they lack a leading billionaire like Elon Musk to lead it. And many have weighed in on the debate over whether U.S. flags should fly high on Inauguration Day to honor the up-to-date president or stay low to honor a deceased predecessor.
These issues have been at the forefront over the past two weeks as state legislatures convened, up-to-date governors took the oath of office and sitting governors laid out their agendas in formal “state of the state” addresses.
Trump-like policies, quickly!
Just as Trump plans a series of actions on day one, some governors quickly signed various proclamations and statements.
Just minutes after taking office, Republican Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe issued several anti-crime executive orders, including Trump-style measures that mandated the training of state troopers to assist federal immigration authorities and required law enforcement to investigate the immigration status of people to document the people they have arrested.
Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a special session of the legislative session starting Jan. 27, a week after Trump’s inauguration, to ensure the state can “help the Trump administration strengthen our nation’s immigration laws.” to enforce”. Tennessee’s Republican Gov. Bill Lee announced a special session to begin later that day with “public safety measures related to illegal immigration” on the agenda.
In West Virginia, up-to-date Republican Gov. Patrick Morrisey issued numerous executive orders on his first day, including one ending diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at state agencies and institutions. Trump also wants to abolish diversity and inclusion offices.
Another order from Morrisey allows families to be exempt from required school vaccinations for religious reasons. Trump’s nominee for Health and Human Services secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a lawyer without a degree in medicine or public health, has long questioned some vaccines.
The Democrats are readjusting to Trump’s term in office
Some Democratic governors are adjusting their approach to Trump, hoping for a working relationship with his administration and recognizing his party’s success in November. Others are preparing a defense against his possible policies.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat facing a divided legislative session and a potential 2028 presidential candidate, said she wanted to work with Trump but also had concerns about his proposed tariffs, declaring: “We shouldn’t have them on any.” “Use the case to punish our closest business partners.”
In her State of the State address, Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul reiterated Trump’s focus on inflation and tax cuts by outlining an “affordability” plan that would cut income taxes for most people, expand the child tax credit, and New Yorkers would receive $500 as an “inflation refund.” She promised more police in New York City’s subways, among other anti-crime initiatives.
Massachusetts Democratic Gov. Maura Healey toughened her stance on immigration this week, suggesting that at least one family member housed in shelters should be in the country legally. The state protection system for homeless families has been overwhelmed by the escalate in migrants.
In New Jersey, Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy announced he would join California, Massachusetts and Washington in stockpiling the abortion pill mifepristone. Although Trump has not announced any plans to restrict abortion drugs, some Democrats are concerned about the possibility.
A power struggle in Minnesota
The U.S. House of Representatives is sharply divided, with Republicans holding a 219-215 majority over Democrats and one vacancy.
The Minnesota House is even more divided. Republicans temporarily hold a 67-66 majority until a special election can be held to fill a vacant seat in a heavily Democratic district. It is expected that there will be a tie in the chamber.
So far, the start has been bumpy. Democrats have boycotted the sessions to prevent a quorum, while Republicans have moved forward with electing their top leader as speaker and naming committee chairs. The state Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments Thursday on whether the Republicans’ moves are legal.
The parties will ultimately have to work together if they want to reach the 68-vote threshold needed to pass bills under their rules.
Trump’s “Ministry of Government Efficiency” is heading to the US
Trump caused a stir when he appointed Musk and fellow entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy to head a up-to-date “Department of Government Efficiency,” a task force that is not actually a government agency but is intended to shrink the federal government.
Some governors and state legislative leaders have emulated the effort, except for the famed co-chairs. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced this week “our own state DOGE,” led by an attorney from Sukup Manufacturing, which makes grain storage containers.
In Missouri, up-to-date House Speaker Jon Patterson appointed a Republican lawmaker to chair the Committee on Government Efficiency. First, the name of the body, previously called the Committee on Government Efficiency and Retrenchment, was removed.
Republican Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos announced the GOAT last month: not the greatest ever, but the Committee on Government Operations, Accountability and Transparency.
Officials also form state efficiency boards in Arizona, Kansas, Louisiana and New Hampshire.
Flags for Trump
Across the United States, many flags flew at half-staff in honor of former President Jimmy Carter, who died on December 29th. Outgoing President Joe Biden directed that flags remain lowered for 30 days.
But Trump was upset that no flags would be flown at his inauguration on Monday. “No American can be happy about this,” he posted on his social media platform.
Some governors apparently agreed. Republican governors in more than 20 states have ordered Old Glory to fly high on Trump’s inauguration day. This also applies to the up-to-date Democratic governor of Washington and Democratic governor of California, Gavin Newsom, a repeated Trump critic and repeated target of Trump’s ridicule.
At the order of Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, flags will also fly at full capacity in the US Capitol.
