Massachusetts proposed wetland rules face an August 20 public-comment deadline
Massachusetts is considering rules to streamline permitting for some wetland restoration projects. Written comments on the proposal are due August 20, 2026, at 5 p.m.
State News
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Maryland’s affordable-housing rules put more than $300 million in play
Maryland’s 2026 affordable-housing plan changes how developers compete for more than $300 million in state funding and federal tax credits, with the next financing deadline on October 21.
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Maine voters have until Aug. 25 to enter the November ballot as write-in candidates
Maine residents who want to run as declared write-in candidates in the Nov. 3 general election must file a Declaration of Write-In Candidacy by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25.
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Louisiana’s new WIC card system is now live. What families need to do
Louisiana WIC participants should now use their replacement EBT cards, set a PIN and check benefits through myWIC after the August 1 statewide store transition.
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Kansas voters reject plan to elect Supreme Court justices, preserving merit selection
Kansas voters reportedly rejected a plan to elect Supreme Court justices, leaving the commission-and-governor system in place unless the reported result changes before certification on September 1.
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Iowa families had until August 14 to apply for $120-per-child SUN Bucks benefits
Iowa’s 2026 SUN Bucks application period closed August 14, but families with issued benefits should check balances and use them before the 122-day expiration.
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Indiana gas-tax suspension continues through Sept. 5. What drivers and road agencies should know
Indiana’s gas-tax suspension continued Aug. 7 under a new executive order. Drivers remain exempt through Sept. 5, while road-funding reimbursements move through a staged approval process.
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Florida voters should check vote-by-mail requests before November election
Florida voters who rely on mail ballots should verify whether an older request is still active. The deadline to request a mailed ballot for the November 3 general election is 5 p.m. October 22, 2026.
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Connecticut’s 2026 primary remains in its canvass, recount and challenge window
Connecticut’s Aug. 11 primary produced preliminary totals, but the formal process continues. Any required recounts must be completed by Aug. 18, and Superior Court election complaints are due Aug. 25.
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Colorado’s new sports-betting restrictions take effect as wagers reach a record $6.4 billion
Colorado’s sports-betting laws now prohibit credit-card deposits, limit customers to six deposits per gaming day and expand oversight as wagering reaches a record $6.4 billion.
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California regulators adopt $22 million PG&E settlement over Mosquito Fire safety violations
The CPUC adopted a shareholder-funded settlement tied to its Mosquito Fire investigation, sending $21 million to the state General Fund and up to $1 million to an independent review of PG&E’s inspection team—not directly to fire survivors.
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Arkansas’ new SNAP limits move forward despite court challenge
Arkansas SNAP and Summer EBT benefits cannot buy specified soda, beverages and candy under rules that began July 1, while the legal fight continues.
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Wisconsin healthcare workforce grant applications face Aug. 17 deadline
Wisconsin organizations seeking rural healthcare workforce grants must submit complete applications and all required exhibits by 3 p.m. Central time Monday, Aug. 17, 2026.
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Southcentral Alaska utilities warn gas shortages could raise heating and power costs this winter
Enstar and regional electric utilities warn that tightening Cook Inlet gas supplies and low storage margins could raise energy costs and trigger conservation measures during extreme winter demand.
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Washington’s lawsuit bill reached a new record. What the $614 million tab means for state finances
Washington paid more than $537 million in lawsuit and tort-claim payouts during fiscal year 2026, while legal-defense costs added about $76 million. The record is putting new pressure on the state’s self-insurance system and future budgets.
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Virginia proposes clearer triggers for nursing-home sanctions as complaint backlog persists
Virginia is proposing clearer nursing-home sanction-review triggers as the state works through overdue inspections and complaint investigations. Families can comment through September 9, 2026, and report suspected problems to VDH.
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Vermont campaign-finance compliance report draws scrutiny ahead of general election
A Secretary of State report found 409 of 429 Vermont candidates registered, but 41 registered candidates still lacked an August 1 report or affidavit as of August 6.
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FrontRunner 2X advances toward a $1.3 billion federal grant. What Utah riders could gain
FrontRunner 2X has entered the federal engineering phase, but Utah riders will not see immediate service changes while grant, design and construction decisions remain pending.
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Texas agencies prepare 3% baseline-request reductions for 2028-29 budget
Texas agencies, courts and public colleges must identify 3% reductions in their 2028-29 base budget requests, but the directive does not cut current spending.
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South Dakota seeks federal disaster aid for storm damage in eight counties and two reservations
South Dakota is seeking federal help for $4.56 million in preliminary public storm damage, but the declaration, repair reimbursement and any household assistance remain unapproved.
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Tennessee executes Anthony Hines amid scrutiny of lethal-injection procedures
Tennessee executed Anthony Hines in Nashville on August 13 after courts rejected challenges tied to a halted May lethal-injection attempt. Questions about the state’s execution procedures and oversight remain unresolved.
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Pennsylvania voters face separate election deadlines for counties and Butler voters
Pennsylvania county election boards must submit Election Integrity Grant applications today, while Butler County voters in the 12th Legislative District face an Aug. 18 special election and an 8 p.m. ballot-receipt deadline.