Florida: Hastings reveals he has cancer. U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL) announced this week that he has pancreatic cancer, but that he plans to remain in office during his treatment. The 82 year old congressman, who has been in office in Florida’s 20th Congressional District since 1990, says he feels “hopeful” about his treatment as well as in his ability to continue to serve his constituents. South Carolina: Officials ponder paper ballots. State elections officials are pushing to replace voting machines with paper ballots ahead of the 2020 elections, requesting $60 million from the state legislature to implement a new system that would leave a paper trail. One problem – the new budget proposal from Gov. Henry McMaster includes just $5 million for voting machines. Alabama: Ivey starts on a high note. She hasn’t been in office for a week, but already Alabama Governor Kay Ivey is among the most popular governors in the nation. A quarterly approval poll from The Morning Consult marks her approval rating at 63%, behind only Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan.
