GA Voter Registration Database Targeted by DHS?

Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp (R) sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson this month saying the state had discovered an unsuccessful effort to breach computer systems housing its voter registration database by an IP address linked to the DHS.

 

“At no time has my office agreed to or permitted DHS to conduct penetration testing or security scans of our network,” Kemp wrote. “Moreover, your department has not contacted my office since this unsuccessful incident to alert us of any security event that would require testing or scanning of our network.”

 

The DHS said it was “looking into the matter.”

 

“DHS takes the trust of our public and private sector partners seriously, and we will respond to Secretary Kemp directly,” a spokeswoman for the department said.

 

Georgia was one of two states that declined federal government assistance with election security after the Federal Bureau of Investigation revealed in August that it was looking into hacking incidents involving elections systems in Arizona and Illinois. (WASHINGTON POST, ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION)

States Offering Retirement Plans To Private-Sector Workers

In September California became the eighth state to pass a retirement savings plan for private-sector workers, since Massachusetts became the first to do so in 2012, according to Georgetown University’s Center for Retirement Initiatives. Another 18 states have considered private-sector retirement plans or studies of such plans this year.

 

Source: Center for Retirement Initiatives

Most 5G Laws Enacted in Red States

As of mid-February, 21 states had passed laws streamlining regulations for the deployment of 5G or small-cell technology. In 12 of those states, Republicans controlled both chambers of the legislature and the governor’s office when the laws were enacted. In six others, control of the government was split between Democrats and Republicans. Only three of the states were governed entirely by Democrats.

States Consider Bans on Flavored E-Cigarettes

As of April 9, at least 10 states had introduced bans on the sale of flavored tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and other vaping devices. Most of the proposals would exempt establishments that prohibit minors. Some would apply only to e-liquids used to refill vaping products. But at least two states, California and Hawaii, have introduced measures that would ban all sales of all flavored tobacco products, although the House version of Hawaii’s proposal, HB 276, was amended to allow sales of menthol-flavored products.

New AL AG Reveals Gov Under Investigation

Just days after Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley (R) named Steve Marshall to replace Luther Strange as State Attorney General, Marshall confirmed what had long only been rumored: that Bentley is under criminal investigation by the AG’s office. Ironically, Marshall confirmed the investigation so he could recuse himself from leading the process. Bentley is facing impeachment resolutions from lawmakers over allegations that he misused public funds while carrying on an extramarital affair with one of his aides. (ATLANTIC)