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Democratic governors doing good things: 9 examples [1]

['Chloris Creator', 'Chitown Kev', 'Thom Hartmann', 'Belinda Ridgewood']

Date: 2026-08-06  

Too many times people think the democrats don’t do anything. Well, that’s not true. Ds in Congress are hampered by the fact that we don’t have majorities, as are the liberal justices on the Supreme Court. But Dems are out there doing good things nearly every day.

A big reason people do not know these good things is because, for the past 10 years, the media has focused mostly on the felon. He is a master of distraction. Also the billionaires have been buying up media outlets.

But we can change the narrative a wee bit. Dems don’t exist just in opposition, but in creation. Things to remember:

It’s harder to build than to bulldoze.

Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good!!!

Almost always, team blue is better than team red

Let’s pull together.

This is the third diary on this; I have worked through the states alphabetically, but feel free to add great stuff about other Democratic governors. Here’s a link to the first, and here’s a link to the second. This has two more examples than the others.

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham

Attacking the problem of housing:

New Mexico's housing caucus is set to revolutionize legislation with the support of dedicated staff and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham—find out how these forces are shaping the future of housing assistance! Learn more here#BernalilloCounty #NM #HousingAssistance #CitizenPortal — Citizen Portal News New Mexico (@citizenptnewsnm.bsky.social) 2026-08-03T18:50:49.261Z

Protecting New Mexicans from ICE:

wow, a quick web search pulled up this, looks like NM stopped ICE facilities in their state?!!!nmpoliticalreport.com/2026/02/05/b… — Starr (@starrceline.bsky.social) 2026-08-01T18:02:15.244Z

New York Governor Kathy Hochul

Challenging the abuses of ICE:

New Yorkers aren’t intimidated by anyone, not even the President.We won’t allow an $85 billion agency to operate without accountability.We won’t allow ICE agents to hide behind masks.And we won’t turn local police into Trump’s deportation force. — Governor Kathy Hochul (@governor.ny.gov) 2026-05-27T20:49:35.854Z

First data center moratorium:

New York has become the first state to enact a data center moratorium.Permits for hyperscale data centers will be paused for a year while the state develops a regulatory framework around AI.The state is also considering legislation that would strip data centers of tax subsidies. — Robert Reich (@rbreich.bsky.social) 2026-07-14T20:38:47.796Z

She has also worked with Mamdani – governors need to work with mayors

Kids in pre school:

Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul Extend 2-K Offers to More Than 2,000 Children, Announce More Than 5,700 Applications Submittedhttps://www.europesays.com/people/178381/NEW YORK – Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that more than 2,000 children… — (@eu-people.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T04:30:19+00:00

Balancing the NYC budget

Breaking News: Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he had closed New York City’s budget gap, with the state’s help. — The New York Times (@nytimes.com) 2026-05-12T20:33:52.149601Z

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein

Protecting the right to vote:

In this democracy, the power rests with you – the people. Let’s keep it that way. — Governor Josh Stein (@ncgovernor.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T01:31:44.470Z

Working to bring jobs to the state Press Release, NC governor’s office

Today Governor Josh Stein announced STERIS plc (NYSE: STE), a leading health care company, will create 335 jobs in Lee County. The company will invest $600 million in a new manufacturing and distribution Chemistries Manufacturing Center of Excellence in the city of Sanford.

“STERIS is making a major investment in North Carolina, which reinforces our state’s reputation as a powerhouse in the life sciences industry,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Decades of excellence in manufacturing and innovation have developed the world-class talent, research, and supply chain that continues to attract global companies and drive long-term economic growth across our state.” ✂️

Although salaries for the positions will vary, the average annual salary will be $68,704, exceeding the Lee County average of $59,903. These new jobs could create a potential annual payroll impact of more than $23 million for the region.

STERIS’ operation in North Carolina will be facilitated, in part, by a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) awarded to STERIS Corporation, which was approved by the state’s Economic Investment Committee earlier today. Over the course of the 12-year term of this grant, the project is estimated to grow the state’s economy by $1.8 billion. Using a formula that takes into account the new tax revenues generated by the new jobs and capital investment, the JDIG agreement authorizes the potential reimbursement to the company of up to $3,213,000, spread over 12 years. State payments only occur following performance verification each year by the departments of Commerce and Revenue that the company has met its incremental job creation and investment targets.

The project’s projected return on investment of public dollars is 325 percent, meaning for every dollar of potential cost to the state, the state receives $4.25 in state revenue. JDIG projects result in positive net tax revenue to the state treasury, even after taking into consideration the grant’s reimbursement payments to a given company.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek

Protecting abortion rights:

I secured a long-term supply of abortion medication, strengthened our shield law so out-of-state prosecutors can’t subpoena doctors and nurses, and backfilled funding when Planned Parenthood lost federal support. Whatever happens in D.C. or in court, reproductive care in Oregon isn’t going anywhere. — Tina Kotek (@tinakotek.bsky.social) 2026-08-03T18:44:46.022Z

Infrastructure – which should be a priority for all governors (and presidents, and mayors!!!) Press release at OR Governor’s website

Salem, OR: Today, Governor Tina Kotek announced that the application portal has opened for the state’s Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF), following a $10 million investment from the 2026 legislative session that will help Oregon’s small communities and tribes plan for and build needed infrastructure projects.

“Infrastructure is where economic development begins,” Governor Kotek said. “Communities have a tough time attracting new employers, building housing, or growing their main street businesses without reliable water, roads, and sites ready for investment. The Regional Infrastructure Fund is designed to meet our small, rural, and tribal communities where they are, whether that means supporting the engineering work that gets a project shovel ready or helping move construction forward.”

The program is open to Oregon local governments and federally recognized tribes with populations under 25,000. The Request for Grant Applications (RFGA) opens Monday, August 3, 2026, and closes Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. PDT.

Analysis of the harm of the felon’s tariffs: Press release at OR Governor website

Today, Governor Tina Kotek announced the release of the 2026 Tariff Impact Analysis co-authored by the Office of Economic Analysis (OEA), the Oregon Employment Department (OED), and Business Oregon. This report highlights the tangible impacts the Trump administration’s chaotic tariff policies have had on Oregon businesses and commerce, including a 17% reduction in exports and an estimated loss of $442 million in revenue. The full Tariff Impact Analysis can be found here. An executive summary of the report can be found here.

I am so glad some people are looking at this!!!

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro – note I have been a fan ever since he got traffic going after that bridge collapse

Emphasis on GOOD policing

Our new state budget includes funding for another four PA State Police cadet classes AND more funding for community-based prevention programs that address the root cause of violence. — Governor Josh Shapiro (@governor.pa.gov) 2026-08-04T16:33:02.189Z

Emphasis on GOOD mental health

The budget I just signed into law strengthens our behavioral health system, ensuring Pennsylvanians facing a mental health or substance abuse crisis can get help quickly. — Governor Josh Shapiro (@governor.pa.gov) 2026-08-01T14:40:02.229Z

Cutting costs for rhe people of Pennsylvania PA Governor Website

Created the new Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit that is expected to deliver $193.5 million in tax relief to 940,000 working Pennsylvanians this tax season, helping to put up to $805 back in the pockets of eligible taxpayers.

Expanded the Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) Program – the largest targeted tax cut for seniors in nearly two decades that has opened the door for approximately 165,000 first-time filers to receive a rebate. In 2025 alone, the Shapiro Administration awarded more than 513,000 rebates totaling $315 million.

Signed a major expansion of the Pennsylvania Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit, helping to make child care more affordable. In 2025, this tax credit delivered $139 million to nearly 222,000 working families.

Secured a new Employer Child Care Contribution Tax Credit to encourage businesses to contribute to their employees’ child care expenses.

Established a student loan interest deduction, providing significant relief to Pennsylvania graduates burdened with student debt.

Lowered the Corporate Net Income Tax (CNIT) – saving businesses more than $2.9 billion.

Established a schedule for increasing Net Operating Loss (NOL) deductions by 10 percent annually over four years to help small businesses grow.

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee

Addressing the problems of affordability in the RI state budget RI Governor website

With rising costs continuing to put pressure on families nationwide, Governor McKee introduced Rhode Island’s first Affordability for All agenda in January to lower costs and put money back in Rhode Islanders’ pockets. The General Assembly approved a significant portion of the Governor’s Affordability for All agenda in the Fiscal Year 2027 budget.

Creating Rhode Island’s first Child Tax Credit: This budget creates Rhode Island’s first-ever Child Tax Credit, providing a refundable $330 tax credit per child and delivering $47 million in annual tax relief to more than 70,000 qualifying families.

This budget creates Rhode Island’s first-ever Child Tax Credit, providing a refundable $330 tax credit per child and delivering $47 million in annual tax relief to more than 70,000 qualifying families. Cutting the state tax on Social Security: This budget ends the state tax on Social Security for 9,200 early retirees who are not currently exempt. Governor McKee will continue fighting for the full elimination of the state tax on Social Security next legislative session.

This budget ends the state tax on Social Security for 9,200 early retirees who are not currently exempt. Governor McKee will continue fighting for the full elimination of the state tax on Social Security next legislative session. Delivering $500 million in energy relief: This budget takes a good first step by delivering $500 million in energy relief over the next five years by eliminating bonus payments for utility shareholders, expanding access to lower-cost clean energy resources such as nuclear power and large-scale hydropower, addressing virtual net metering costs, and reducing near-term charges associated with utility paving projects.

Encouragement of electric cars

Rep. Earl A. Read III and Sen. John Burke joined Gov. Dan McKee today at West Warwick Fire Station 4 as the governor ceremonially signed a law that creates a database for electric cars to aid in firefighting efforts.More info: www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease… — (@rihouseofreps.bsky.social) 2026-07-28T17:46:10.872Z

Teachers endorsement – note this seems to be an “anti” McKee bluesky post, but I think the charter school moratorium is actually a good thing, as is the endorsement of the teachers union.

Rhode Island: McKee backed a charter school moratorium. Now a major teachers union has endorsed him.Rhode Island teachers union endorses Governor McKee five weeks after charter school moratorium.#RhodeIsland #Education — Summed News (@summednews.bsky.social) 2026-07-27T20:00:00.909Z

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger

Restoring voting rights:

Tens of thousands of Virginians have had their voting rights restored thanks to a move from Gov. Abigail Spanberger.Spanberger announced that her office has restored voting rights for more than 66,000 people who have served their punishments after being charged with crimes. — Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1.bsky.social) 2026-08-01T16:15:15.762Z

Helping those at the bottom:

Spanberger announces expansion of Intensive Reentry Program at Red Onion State Prison — 8News WRIC Richmond (@wric.com) 2026-08-06T01:08:05.957Z

Cancer screenings for firefighters Press release, VA governor’s website

RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger highlighted a new grant program — funded through an amendment the Governor proposed to the Commonwealth’s biennial budget — which invests $2 million each year to support localities and departments in providing cancer screenings for career firefighters. The budget amendment allows for $350 per eligible screening for career firefighters.

Cancer is the leading cause of death in the fire service. While serving in Congress, Governor Spanberger led bipartisan legislation to provide Veteran military firefighters with their earned healthcare benefits and disability compensation by creating the presumption that Veteran military firefighters who become disabled by serious diseases — including certain cancers — contracted their illness from their military service. Firefighters face an increased risk of cancer due to exposure to carcinogenic fumes, chemicals, and other contaminants.

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson

Infrastructure – ferries are important!

Governor Bob Ferguson announced Wednesday that construction is beginning on WA's first new ferry in over a decade. — FOX 13 Seattle (@fox13seattle.bsky.social) 2026-08-05T20:00:57.779Z

Working with a very difficult federal government:

Gov. Bob Ferguson thanked President Donald Trump on Wednesday for approval of federal disaster assistance for the catastrophic damage caused by wildfires in Spokane. — The Seattle Times (@seattletimes.com) 2026-08-06T02:58:21.767Z

And pushing back against that government Press release, WA governor’s office

Governor Bob Ferguson and numerous state agencies are pushing back against the Trump administration’s proposed sweeping changes to federal funding for communities and states.

The proposed revisions to the Uniform Guidance Governing Federal Financial Assistance are a significant example of the onslaught of changes being made through agency rulemaking under the Trump administration. These proposed changes upend Washington’s ability to administer federal money and grants in a timely and nonpartisan manner.

Governor Ferguson, along with ten agencies and boards in his administration, submitted comments detailing the devastating impacts the proposed new rules will have on everything from health care and education to workforce programs. The proposed changes by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) add unnecessary bureaucracy and additional layers of political review to grants administered by the federal government. The proposed changes will also have severe consequences for Washington’s already strapped state budget.

“We all share the goals of transparency and accountability for public funds,” Governor Ferguson said. “That is just a smoke screen for what these proposed changes really do: Force states to either bend to the administration’s political goals or go without critical funding for health care, scientific research, education and more. Washington is leading the fight against this federal overreach.”

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers

Taking care of rural infrastructure Press release, WI governor’s website

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), today announced that 101 communities across the state will receive nearly $30 million in funding through the newly created Local Small Structures Improvement Program (LSSIP) to repair or replace aging culverts and small bridge structures on local roads across Wisconsin.

The funding was made available by the 2025-27 Biennial Budget signed into law by Gov. Evers last year, which provided $150 million for the highly successful Agricultural Roads Improvement Program (ARIP) created by Gov. Evers in 2023. Of that $150 million investment, $30 million was set aside to support projects focused on the repair or replacement of aging culverts and small bridge structures in rural communities that are critical for moving and transporting the state’s agricultural and forestry products safely, efficiently, and effectively. Since its creation and with the addition of these 101 projects, ARIP and LSSIP have funded 221 projects total across the state that are helping improve and repair rural roads in 64 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties.

“Every pothole filled, road fixed, and bridge and culvert repaired is essential to ensuring we have safe, reliable roads all across our state for locals and visitors alike, and so much of that good work is done at the local level, which is why supporting our local governments in their efforts to bolster this critical infrastructure is more important than ever,” said Gov. Evers. “Especially after years of disinvestment in our transportation infrastructure from the previous administration, these investments are making a difference for communities that otherwise would not have received any funding. Thanks to the investments we secured in our most recent biennial budget, this brand new program is making sure over 100 communities are getting money directly where folks need it to fix the darn roads and keep our local economies humming.”

Protecting the trans community:

NEW: Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers vetoes five anti-trans bills on #TransDayOfVisibility wisconsinexaminer.com/briefs/evers… — Allison Gill (@muellershewrote.com) 2026-03-31T20:01:50.870Z

Keeping Wisconsinites healthy:

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has issued an executive order to ensure COVID vaccines are accessible to everyone and insurers continue to cover them. — Dr. Lucky Tran (@luckytran.com) 2025-09-16T02:50:54.682Z

Not all of these are exciting or even entertaining, but they are part of the business of governing responsibly.

Thanks for reading, and I look forward to reading your comments!

🐦‍⬛🐦🐦‍⬛I do a lot of other writing. Some offerings: the Crow Nickels (chronicles), about crows who want to save birdkind from extinction (Hunters of the Feather). Popular mysteries based on Jane Austen’s novels, such as The Meryton Murders. Others based on history and Greek mythology, e.g., Clytemnestra: The Mother’s Blade, for those who want another look at the characters in The Odyssey. Newest offerings: Messing with the Myths — three books so far in this series (new one is Ragnarok & Roll). All titles also available through Kindle Unlimited.

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