ON THE TRAIL

ENDORSEMENT ALERT
This week, North Carolina AG Josh Stein received a key endorsement from the North Carolina AFL-CIO in his bid for re-election. “Working people proudly endorse Josh Stein for NC Attorney General!” AG Stein is a demonstrated ally to organized labor with his work to protect wages and more!

MULTI-STATE MOMENTS!

BLOCKED: BORDER WALL
This week, a Democratic AG coalition of nine states, led by California AG Xavier Becerra, secured a victory in federal court when the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California declared the Trump administration’s effort to divert federal funds to build a wall along the southern border unlawful. On the decision, AG Becerra said, “This is a critical victory that sends a strong message to the White House: you are not above the law.” Read more on this victory in The Hill here!

EMOLUMENTS (TAKE 2)
This week, District of Columbia AG Karl Racine and Maryland AG Brian Frosh argued before the full Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals that President Trump is currently violating the Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution. AG Racine noted that this case “is holding President Trump accountable for violating the nation’s original anti-corruption laws”. In this second look in front of the full Fourth Circuit bench, Democratic AGs argued President Trump is illegally accepting benefits and monies through his DC hotel. Read this Washington Post story for more! Check out this video DAGA produced highlighting the great work these two Dem AGs are doing.

FIGHTING FOR WORKERS
A coalition of 18 Democratic AGs submitted comments to the Trump administration’s Department of Labor over a proposed rule that could reduce the earnings of tipped workers and make them more vulnerable to wage theft. The effort by Democratic AGs was praised by Maine People’s Alliance, “It would be a wage cut for thousands of servers and bartenders in Maine, and I’m very glad to see the AG taking a strong stand against it.”
3-0-0!
The State Energy & Environment Impact Center released their latest report this week highlighting that state Attorneys General have taken more than 300 ACTIONS to protect our planet and address the ongoing climate crisis.

DAGA Co-Chairs Massachusetts AG Maura Healey and Oregon AG Ellen Rosenblum along with Maryland AG Brian Frosh and California AG Xavier Becerra joined the State Impact Center at a press conference highlighting the reports look at the steps Democratic AGs have taken over the past 3+ years to protect the environment from the Trump administration. See DAGA’s thread on the press conference here!

AG SPOTLIGHT!

AG James v NRA
New York AG Tish James expanded her office’s investigation into the National Rifle Association (NRA) by issuing a new subpoena. According to The New York Times, the subpoena “was issued last week and covers at least four areas, including campaign finance, payments made to board members and tax compliance.” Read more here about AG James’ efforts to hold the organization accountable and shine light on the gun lobby’s questionable finance and tax practices.

VIRGINIA TALKS CANNABIS
As Virginia Democrats prepare to take control of the statehouse in 2020, Virginia AG Herring brought together a group of individuals to plan a course for a “smarter, fairer, and more just cannabis policy” in the Commonwealth. In remarks to the summit attendees, AG Herring said “It is clear to me that it is time for a new, smarter approach to cannabis in Virginia. And the question we’re here to answer today is: What does that look like?” Read this Washington Post story for more on the summit and AG Herring’s approach to reforming the cannabis industry.

TWEET OF THE WEEK

New York AG Tish James joined MSNBC’s Ali Velshi for a conversation about how states are taking action to protect the people during the Trump administration.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

During the Winter National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) conference, Minnesota AG Keith Ellison interviewed Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.