California officials want residents to help shape policies regarding artificial intelligence through a statewide digital democracy initiative called “Engaged California.” Under the initiative, the state will collect feedback on how AI is impacting Californians’ work, the state’s economy, and the future. Residents’ input would help to inform decision-making, policies, and ultimately assist officials in developing a more inclusive and equitable AI action plan for government leaders.
Hawaii has become the most recent state to approve a wealth tax. The state’s lawmakers recently passed legislation that establishes a new 13% income tax bracket for households earning more than $1 million per year, and comes after lawmakers spent months negotiating a deal to close an emerging budget gap due to federal funding and tax policy changes stemming from the One Big Beautiful Bill and general economic uncertainty. The state joins Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Washington, all of which have recently passed so-called “Millionaire Tax” measures.
On April 24, University of Kansas (KU) leaders, alumni, donors, and community partners gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new KU Entrepreneurship Hub, a donor-funded building designed to serve as an academic launchpad for student entrepreneurs. The Hub will be operated by the School of Business and serve KU students from all disciplines, providing spaces for experiential education and programming that reflect the university’s commitment to hands-on learning.
The Maine State Chamber of Commerce, the Maine Development Foundation, and other state business leaders have joined in publishing a report, Maine Economic Vision 2035, which outlines strategies to jumpstart and strengthen the state’s economy future opportunities. The report identifies goals in four areas believed to be key to Maine’s economic success: business competitiveness, workforce and wages, productivity and investment, and household affordability. It recommends a 20% annual increase in private investment and tripling the state’s annual investment in the Maine Technology Institute (MTI) to promote research and development, as well as tripling the proportion of Maine’s economy that is going toward R&D.
Rhode Island policymakers and business leaders joined Brown University officials on May 13 to celebrate the opening of Ocean State Labs, the state’s first life sciences startup incubator. The incubator will provide early-stage biotechnology and medical companies with laboratory space, infrastructure, and operational support as they grow and bring scientific discoveries to the marketplace. Ocean State Labs is led by the Rhode Island Life Sciences Hub in partnership with the State of Rhode Island, the I-195 Redevelopment District, Brown, and L&G Asset Management America.