“He is carrying around bags of political capital like the Monopoly man.”

Connecticut House Speaker Matt Ritter, regarding the death of state Rep. Quentin Williams, who died in a car crash that happened just hours after Williams was sworn in for his third term. Gov. Ned Lamont directed flags to be lowered to half-staff. (Associated Press — Jan. 5, 2023)

South Carolina Supreme Court Justice Kaye Hearn, in the 3-2 opinion that ruled that a state law banning abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy is unconstitutional because it violates a right to privacy. (Reuters — Jan. 5, 2023)

Lynda Gledhill, executive officer of the California Victims’ Compensation Board, regarding the state’s program to provide reparations to people who were sterilized by the state government either against their will or without their knowledge. Those eligible will receive payments of at least $15,000, but finding the people who qualify for the money has proven difficult. The state has approved just 51 people for payments out of 310 applications; about 600 people are estimated to be eligible. (Associated Press — Jan. 4, 2023)

Miami Beach, Fla., City Commissioner Alex Fernandez, regarding the city’s decision to implement a smoking ban at all municipal parks and public beaches. A person can be fined $100 and spend up to 60 days in jail for a first-time violation under the new measure. (Associated Press — Dec. 30, 2022)