Governors This Week: Gubernatorial Powers, Unemployment, Education and More

ID Lawmakers Still Working to Curb Gov Powers: Idaho House lawmakers endorsed three bills last week to curb Gov. Brad Little’s (R) emergency powers. The measures collectively would limit a governor’s ability during declared emergencies to alter laws, prevent gatherings and limit people from going to work. The trio also constitute watered down versions of similar measures Little previously vetoed. All three cleared their first Senate votes and are expected to pass the full. (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

MT Switches to Work Bonus Over Unemployment: Saying nearly “every sector in our economy faces a labor shortage,” Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) said the Treasure State will be the first to end enhanced COVID-19 pandemic unemployment benefits, replacing them with a $1,200 bonus for unemployed workers who return to work. Gianforte signed HB 632 last week, a measure that allows the state to fund the one-time bonuses with money gleaned from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. (MONTANA FREE PRESS [HELENA])

AR Gov OK’s Race Training Limits: Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) allowed SB 627, a bill that bars state agencies from teaching employees, contractors or others to believe “divisive concepts,” including anything that says the U.S. is fundamentally racist or sexist. The measure does not apply to public schools, colleges and universities, law enforcement training or local governments. It takes effect next year. (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Kemp Signs Six GA Education Bills: Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) signed a half dozen education-related bills last week, including SB 88, a so-called “teacher pipeline” bill that seeks to grow the Peach State’s teacher workforce through a variety of means, including an alternative certification path for military veterans, mentoring of teachers, new training requirements in college and efforts to attract more minority college students to the teaching profession. (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION)

-- Compiled by RICH EHISEN