Federal Regulatory Battle Over Cuomo’s ‘I Love NY’ Signs Continues
Connecting state and local government leaders
Also in our State and Local Daily Digest: Illinois going full steam ahead into uncharted fiscal territory; Seattle-area sees big jump in annual homeless tally; and local plastic-bag bans blocked in Minnesota.
TRANSPORTATION | Federal highway officials are still awaiting a proposal from Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration to address concerns over 514 “I Love NY” road signs. The Cuomo administration had the signs installed beginning in 2014, despite warnings from the Federal Highway Administration that they violated federal law. Since then, the state and the feds have been sparring over the signs, which cost about $8.1 million to install and highlight various tourist attractions in New York. Federal regulators could withhold federal highway funding if the state fails to comply with guidelines pertaining to the signs. [The Journal News]
HOMELESSNESS | According to the annual point-in-time homeless tally in King County, Washington, which includes Seattle, conducted on Jan. 27, there were 5,485 people living unsheltered on the streets, in parks, camps or vehicles. And when you those spending the night in shelters, that’s 11,643 people, a 76 percent increase from 2014. Since the annual survey was conducted differently, where volunteers were paired with formerly homeless people and able at access more hidden and remote places. The survey’s data collection revealed insights from people on the reasons why they’re homeless and the barriers of getting out of homelessness. “Some of the numbers, while deeply unfortunate, are not surprising,” including half who reported some sort of disabling condition, whether it’s a chronic health problem, a psychiatric or emotional condition or physical disability. [Crosscut]
San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee is expected to unveil a $10.1 billion budget on Thursday, with an emphasis on boosting investment in services for the homeless, including those struggling with opioid addiction. The proposal also calls for putting away $60 million in anticipation of federal budget cuts under President Trump. [San Francisco Examiner]
STATE LEGISLATURES | Now that Illinois, which has $14.5 billion in unpaid bills, is on track to head into its third year of a operating without a state budget, just how bad could things get if the stalemate between Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and the Democratic-controlled legislature drags on? Illinois could be the first state since at least 1970 to lose investment-grade status, bond-rating companies have warned. But time’s a ticking—the 2018 fiscal year starts July 1. [WLS-TV; Bloomberg]
Lawmakers on Wednesday in Maine’s House rejected a bill aimed at restricting so-called sanctuary cities—a term that generally refers to places that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. “I fear that the chilling effect of this bill would be that those that aren’t wanted, might not come. That’s human capital. And in a state that’s aging, that’s very problematic,” said Republican Rep. Lance Harvell, who was among those who voted against the measure. The bill was defeated in preliminary vote of 77-59 in the Democratic-controlled chamber. [Maine Public]
STATE AND LOCAL RELATIONS | Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton approved a jobs bill this week that contained a provision that blocks cities from passing local rules banning plastic bags. That move blocked Minneapolis from implementing an approved ordinance banning the use plastic bag for retailers. City Council member Cam Gordon, who co-authored the ordinance said the city will look for a way to make it compatible with state law. [Minnesota Public Radio]
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS | Thursday marks the start of 2017 hurricane season and according to a new survey, more Floridians are preparing. The AAA Consumer Pulse Survey showed that 77 percent of Florida residents are making preparations, a 17 percent increase over 2016, when Hurricane Matthew brushed up the state’s Atlantic coast. This weekend, the state’s 6 percent sales tax will be lifted on products needed for storm preparations. [Orlando Sentinel]
VOTING | The new spending plan proposed by the D.C. Council, which is expected to pass later this month, includes an automatic voter registration provision. That means every resident of Washington, D.C. over the age of 18 who gets a driver’s license will by default be added to the voter rolls. The District would be joining eight states with the provision. “These kind of opt-out or automatic voter registration systems are just good 21st century government,” said Justin Levitt, who worked as a deputy assistant attorney general in the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department under former president Barack Obama. [The Washington Post]
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