"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will heal their land."

Florida state House Speaker Daniel Perez as lawmakers in the Florida House of Representatives and Florida Senate struggled to reach agreement on a state budget with only days left in the Legislature’s 60-day session. Even though the two chambers’ proposals are less than 1 percent apart, negotiations have stalled over deeper disagreements about taxes and spending priorities. The impasse has raised the likelihood that lawmakers will need to extend the session to pass the constitutionally required balanced budget. (Orlando Sentinel)

West Virginia Senate President Randy Smith after deciding to halt a controversial bill that would have required the West Virginia State Police to sell machine guns to certain residents. The Republican leader said he stopped the legislation because it was “poorly drafted” and likely unconstitutional, adding that the proposal sparked intense backlash that included threats and harassment directed at lawmakers. (West Virginia Watch)

Molly Englert, a cybersecurity worker in downtown Boston, after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suggested the federal government could scrutinize the safety of sugary coffee drinks sold by Dunkin' and Starbucks. The comments sparked a swift backlash in Massachusetts, where Dunkin’, which was founded in Quincy, Mass. in 1950, is a defining part of daily life. Gov. Maura Healey joined the pushback, posting a photo of a Dunkin’ cup on social media with the message “COME AND TAKE IT,” saying that federal officials should focus on bigger public health issues instead of Boston’s beloved iced coffee ritual. (Wall Street Journal)

California state Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks in an open letter urging some Democrats with little chance of winning to drop out of the crowded race to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom. He warned that a splintered Democratic vote in California’s top-two primary system could allow two Republicans to advance to the general election, a scenario he argued could jeopardize the party’s chances of holding the governorship and influence downballot races nationwide. (Los Angeles Times)