Federal Updates 

The AACS Government Relations Committee and its federal advocacy team at Duane Morris LLP represents the interests of AACS members in Congress. The GRC, through the Duane Morris team, provides a bi-weekly Washington Update to AACS membership that provides the most relevant information about what is happening in Congress and at the Department that may impact your school. We encourage all AACS members to read the Washington Update to keep up to date on developments and calls to action. We urge each and every AACS member school to set up a call with the Senators and House members who represent your school locations, and consider hosting a fundraiser. We will make it easy for you. Just call our lead advocate, Katherine Brodie at Duane Morris LLP in Washington, D.C. to learn how you can get more involved and help make a difference to your school, employees and students. Katherine can be reached at: kdbrodie@duanemorris.com or (202) 776-5241.

State Update

VOTE: Key State Races are on the Ballot

On November 3rd, Americans will not only decide who is elected President and to the U.S. Congress, they will be voting on critical down ballot races that will have a significant impact on policy for years to come. 

On the state level:

Forty-four (44) states will hold state legislative elections to elect 5,875 state legislators;

Eleven (11) states will hold elections for Governors;

Ten (10) states will consider new Attorneys General;

And 121 ballot questions will be considered in 32 states. 

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, there are 7,383 state legislative seats across the United States. Going into the election, “3820 (52%) are Republicans; 3,436 (47%) are Democrats, 82 (including all 49 Senators in Nebraska) are either independents or from another party, and 45 seats are vacant. Democrats have not held a majority of seats in the nation’s legislatures since the 2010 election, when Republicans took the lead.”

More importantly, Republicans control 29 state legislatures (59%) and Democrats control 19 state legislatures (38%). That leaves Minnesota with a split legislature – the Senate is held by Republicans and the House by Democrats – and Nebraska with a non-partisan unicameral legislature. 

The results of this year’s election will determine both Congressional and state legislative districts in key states.  That is because states draw new electoral maps every decade based on census population data, and the boundaries play a significant role in determining which party controls Congress and state legislatures.  According to The Washington Post, “many states let their politicians draw the maps. Over the past two decades, Republicans have invested a heavy amount of money into controlling state legislatures, and thus the redistricting process, in much of the country. Their investment helped lock their party into power in key states and in Congress for nearly a decade.” 

Competitive state legislative chambers in 2020 include:

Alaska House

Arizona House and Senate

Florida Senate

Georgia House and Senate

Iowa House

Maine Senate

Michigan House

Minnesota Senate

New Hampshire Senate and House

North Carolina Senate and House

Pennsylvania Senate and House

Texas House

VOTE!  In the weeks ahead, AACS will report on the results of these races and what they may mean for your school(s).  Please do not hesitate to contact Brian Newman at bnewman@abingdonstrategies.com or by phone at 202-491-5254 with comments or questions.