Who Said That
Wyoming state Rep. Jacob Wasserburger, who sponsored a bill that would exclude unhealthy food items like soda and candy from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). He argues that SNAP should be used for nutritious foods, not items that contribute to health problems like obesity. (Stateline — Feb. 12, 2025)
Laurie Daiger, a 73-year-old woman in Washington State, whose credit card was repeatedly charged for political donations without her awareness. Daiger had donated to President Trump's campaign, but had not realized she had been charged repeatedly by Elect Common Sense, a political action committee associated with Bill Spadea, a GOP candidate for governor in New Jersey. Donors are sometimes misled by fine print that leads to recurring charges. (Politico — Feb. 10, 2025)
Tim Shanahan, a literacy expert and professor emeritus at the University of Illinois at Chicago, speaking about a study investigating the efficacy of a “Core Knowledge” curriculum. Core Knowledge is a curriculum based on the idea that children who know more facts tend to be able to read better. In the study, 20 schools were assigned to replace some “read aloud” time with units on plants, farming and Native Americans. The results found that the children who received the Core Knowledge lessons did better on tests of the topics and words taught in the lessons, compared to children who were not given the Core Knowledge lessons. (The Hechinger Report —Feb. 10, 2025)
A Florida Republican, discussing the possibility that Casey DeSantis will run to replace her husband Ron next year, when the governor is term-limited. Rep. Byron Donalds, a close ally of President Trump, has openly talked about running, but many donors and GOP operatives are hoping that Casey DeSantis will run and say that scenario is becoming increasingly likely. Last year, she said, “When people start talking about, ‘Oh, you know, you should run,’ that’s because Gov. DeSantis is a rock star and that’s because people are so proud of everything that he’s done for this state.” (NBC News)
Kentucky state Sen. David Yates. He supported the personal income tax cut approved by legislators on Wednesday but warned that if income taxes keep getting cut and revenues decline, other forms of taxes will have to increase. (Associated Press)
Dr. James Williams, arguably America’s leading expert on the firing squad. He has testified in courtrooms across the U.S. about the effectiveness of the firing squad as a method for executions (always on the side of prisoners, never the state). In an interview with The Marshall Project, Williams explained how he got started in this line of work: “A friend in the firearms community introduced me to death row public defenders, and I had the right resume: I had trained police and military on how to shoot more effectively … I also dealt with countless gunshot wounds as an emergency room doctor. In 2016, some men on death row were thinking about asking for the firing squad, but wanted to know what would happen when the bullets hit their body. I met with two of them. I felt a sense of privilege, to meet them face-to-face as human beings and say they do not need to fear a prolonged and painful death as they might with a lethal injection. I said, in effect, ‘You’ll be OK. I mean, you’ll be dead, but you’ll be OK.’” (The Marshall Project – Feb. 4, 2025)
Indiana state Sen. Rick Niemeyer. He’s sponsored a bill to require farms that confine animals for feeding to have an additional inspection every five years. Farm groups complained that this would raise costs for them, but Niemeyer said their neighbors have concerns about pollution and smell. He said he recognizes that odors are part of livestock farming, but the “magnitude of manure” can be “tremendous.” (Indiana Capital Chronicle)
Kate Bauer, executive director of the American Association of Birth Centers. She was referring to a new Florida law that allows C-sections to be performed outside of hospitals. The policy was pushed by a private equity group that owns birthing centers and argued this would expand access to care. Bauer warned that birth centers would not be able to provide the same level of care if interventions are necessary. (Stateline)
Idaho state Rep. Bruce Skaug. The Republican lawmaker has introduced legislation that would allow the governor to veto ballot initiatives approved by voters, arguing that they don’t always get the same amount of information that legislators receive before passing bills. Initiatives that pass with more than two-thirds of the vote could not be vetoed, but supporters of the initiative process called the proposal a slap in the face of voters. (Idaho Capital Sun)
Luz Ramos, whose donut shop was saved by selling Trump donuts. Ramos was on the verge of closing her shop in Edinburg in the Rio Grande Valley, but the day after the election she began selling donuts covered in red frosting with the word "Trump" in white icing. After she announced the debut of the Trump donut on Instagram, customers flocked to the store and it’s been profitable ever since. (Texas Tribune)
Former Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota. He was referring to Gov. Tim Walz’ prospects at home after running as the Democratic candidate for vice president last year. Over the past couple of years, Walz’ profile was enhanced by a flurry of ambitious spending and policy bills. Following last fall’s elections, however, legislative control if Minnesota is divided, meaning many of the governor’s priorities have little chance to pass. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
Dan Collins, an attorney representing former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan. Collins made his comment, referring to his client’s indictment, during his closing argument in Madigan’s trial for corruption. Madigan, a Democrat, faces numerous counts of misusing his office for personal gain. Collins sought to shift blame for various corrupt schemes onto a former Chicago alderman who testified against Madigan, saying the speaker was just trying to help. (The Center Square – Jan. 28, 2025)
Bruce Tarr, Republican leader of the Massachusetts Senate. Tarr was objecting to the budget proposal released by Democratic Gov. Maura Healey, which calls for a 7.4 percent spending increase. Tarr said increased spending and bonding in areas such as infrastructure and higher education may be popular but argued that stagnating revenues mean the commonwealth should not be taking on so many additional obligations. (WCVB – Jan. 26, 2025)
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe. At the same time the Republican was elected to his post last November, voters approved an abortion rights amendment, enshrining reproductive rights in the state constitution. Kehoe had said during the campaign that although he opposed the amendment he would abide by the constitution, but emphasized nonetheless he will seek ways to protect unborn life. (Missouri Independent – Jan. 24, 2025)
Arizona GOP state Rep. Alexander Kolodin. On Wednesday, a committee approved his bill that would require the governor to answer questions from legislators in a televised session once a month. Borrowing the idea from the British Parliament, Kolodin said it would offer an opportunity for the public to become more informed about policy debates at the state level. (KJZZ – Jan. 10, 2025)
Emil Bove, acting deputy attorney general. Bove wrote in a memo that the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution requires state and local officials to comply with federal immigration regulations, including the Trump administration’s plans to deport large numbers of undocumented immigrants, or they will face prosecution. Democratic officials are certain to challenge Bove’s argument on both jurisdictional and policy grounds. (Washington Post – Jan. 22, 2025)
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. At the end of his first day in office, President Trump announced via social media that he’d fired Lance Bottoms from her position on the President’s Export Council. Bottoms said she’d already submitted her resignation on Jan. 4, effective Monday. “Of all of the things happening in the world, not sure why I am on Donald Trump’s mind at 1:30 am, following his Inauguration, but I count it as a badge of honor,” Bottoms wrote on social media. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution – Jan. 21, 2025)
Indiana GOP Gov. Mike Braun. The new governor released a budget proposal that would increase school spending by 2 percent a year, but would likely lead to funding cuts for districts due to his desire to trim property taxes. Braun suggested districts save their money now in case of that eventuality. Braun also directed his cabinet heads to find 5 percent savings on average in their departments. (Indiana Capital Chronicle – Jan. 16, 2025)
Marla Luckert, the chief justice of the Kansas Supreme Court. Luckert delivered a State of the Judiciary speech on Wednesday before the Legislature, saying lack of access to legal representation is an “all-out crisis” that threatens to undermine faith in the judicial system as a whole. Rural areas are particularly short of attorneys, with a third of those who practice in rural counties over the age of 60. (Kansas Reflector – Jan. 15, 2025)
Melissa Hortman, Democratic leader of the Minnesota House. After the November election, the chamber was tied. One seat won by the Democrats is vacant, so Republicans currently have a one-seat majority. Democrats boycotted Tuesday’s opening session, depriving the chamber of a quorum. Republicans decided to proceed, installing one of their own as speaker. The contentious situation will likely be sorted out by the state supreme court. (NPR – June 14, 2025)
Georgia GOP Gov. Brian Kemp. The governor’s education spending proposal would fully fund the state’s K-12 funding formula and provide additional funding for school safety, mental health counseling, technical education and transportation, and facilities and equipment. "I made a promise to hardworking Georgians that we would make all of our children a priority in this state, and we are doing that once again today,” Kemp said. (WAGA – Jan. 13, 2025)
A resident of Corpus Christi, Texas. Last November’s city council election resulted in a tie between incumbent Everett Roy and former councilmember Billy Lerma. Both received 1,916 votes in a runoff election, as verified by a recount. To determine the winner, the two candidates drew numbered beads from a box, with Roy drawing a 3 to Lerma's 2. (Texas Tribune – Jan. 10, 2025)
Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Robert Califf. Although hospitals are increasing their use of artificial intelligence in directing treatment decisions, early indications are that AI does an inadequate job of predicting outcomes. The need for human oversight means that AI can increase costs rather than lowering them. (KFF Health News – Jan. 10, 2025)
Capt. Erik Scott, a Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson. The fires in L.A. have spread rapidly due to embers carried by the Santa Ana winds — dry air that blows in from the desert toward the coast. (L.A. Times – Jan. 9, 2025)
Doug Moore. He’s a founding partner of a firm that helps colleges manage logistics when they’re shutting down. Colleges and universities experienced a 15 percent decline in enrollment between 2010 and 2021, with numbers continuing to slow due to a “demographic cliff,” with fewer babies born after the recession that started in 2007. The outlook is not bright, with the number of college-age Americans projected to drop another 15 percent by 2039. (NPR – Jan. 8, 2025)
California Gov. Gavin Newsom. This week, the Democrat is presenting a budget with a small surplus, which he attributed to fiscal discipline in the face of a massive shortfall last year, along with revenues coming in $16.5 billion above projections. California’s Legislative Analyst’s Office paints a less rosy picture, saying the state’s shortfall will be $2 billion next year, followed by about $20 billion the following year. (Associated Press – Jan. 6, 2025)
Georgia state Rep. David Wilkerson. The state has an $11 billion surplus, on top of $5.5 billion in rainy-day reserve funds. Wilkerson would like to see the state spend more on programs such as free meals for schoolchildren. GOP Gov. Brian Kemp has made clear that relief for victims of Hurricane Helene will be a priority this session. The GOP majority is contemplating $1 billion in tax relief. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Jan. 6, 2025)
Bill Ferguson, president of the Maryland Senate. The state is facing a $3 billion budget shortfall, meaning advocates for programs such as education and transportation will struggle this session to keep spending levels intact. Business groups are warning the state’s Democratic majorities that further tax increases would harm competitiveness. (Baltimore Sun – Jan. 3, 2025)
Sheldon Day, mayor of Thomasville, Ala. The city’s hospital, which opened at the start of the pandemic, has closed, due to that challenge along with some financial missteps. Unlike most shuttered rural hospitals, the facility in Thomasville is new and in good shape.
Chris DeCardy, president of the Heinz Endowments. That foundation, along with others in Pittsburgh, has helped the city change its economic focus to robotics, AI, life sciences and advanced manufacturing. Pittsburgh is one of several major cities where foundations are pushing economic development strategies in parallel with city governments themselves. (Governing – Jan. 2, 2025)