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The article informs about a letter by the U.S. governors and two Canadian provinces for end the cross-border vaccine requirement that sparked protests and briefly closed trade routes, and U.S. economy has struggled with decades-high inflation and shortages of components and workers.

Governors in various states are proposing significant spending on infrastructure projects to address future demands. Republican Governor Brian Kemp of Georgia plans to allocate $1.5 billion to transportation projects, focusing on roadwork and establishing a freight infrastructure program. Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul of New York is calling for a $7.6 billion project to extend the Second Street subway and begin engineering work on a light-rail line. Idaho Governor Brad Little aims to replace dilapidated buildings with a 10-year, $2 billion plan to address aging schools. These proposals come as states face financial challenges but prioritize investing in infrastructure. Additionally, the article mentions a request for proposals for the production of hats made with otter or beaver fur, with specific requirements for fur lining, leather straps, unisex design, waterproof and windproof features, and suitability for extremely low temperatures. The deadline for proposals from potential suppliers is January 12th. [Extracted from the article]

A group of Republican governors is urging President Biden to reverse changes made by the Federal Housing Finance Authority (FHFA) to mortgage fees for federally backed loans. The changes lowered fees for borrowers with lower credit scores but raised fees for borrowers with good credit. The governors argue that these changes penalize responsible Americans and increase uncertainty in the housing market. Republican lawmakers in the House have introduced a bill to block the amended pricing framework, and industry groups such as the National Association of Realtors and the Mortgage Bankers Association have also expressed concern. Supporters of the changes argue that higher credit borrowers are still paying less than lower credit borrowers based on their lower risk to lenders. [Extracted from the article]

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont has signed a bill to regulate the state's use of artificial intelligence (AI) and has tasked the legislature with creating an AI "bill of rights." The law requires the legislature to form a working group to make recommendations on AI regulation and develop a bill of rights based on the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy's blueprint. The legislation also mandates an inventory and impact assessments of the state's use of AI systems, as well as the development of policies to prevent discrimination and disparate impacts. The bill was proposed in response to concerns about biased data and the potential for AI to perpetuate racial profiling and other biases. The American Civil Liberties Union supported the legislation, highlighting the threats to civil rights and liberties posed by AI. The bill was influenced by a study conducted by the Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information and the Media Freedom and Information Access Clinic at Yale Law School, which found that algorithmic decision-making was not transparent and that the public was not informed about the development and use of AI tools. State lawmakers have introduced several bills this year to regulate AI, with a focus on studying its impact and the role of policymakers. [Extracted from the article]

The article offers information on the conflict between Florida's Republican governor Ron DeSantis and Walt Disney Company. It further discusses DeSantis signed into law House Bill 1577, which described itself as "an act relating to parental rights in education;" Republicans targeted Disney by restricting the bill to districts established prior to 1968; and Disney's chief executive officer (CEO) Bob Chapek initially tried to keep the company publicly neutral on the bill.