State Politics & News
Coverage of state politics, elections, and conservative policy battles across all 50 states shaping America’s future.
-
- Opinion
Pulitzer Overlooks Egregious Errors to Award Prize to New York Times’ Fatally Flawed ‘1619 Project’
The awarding of a Pulitzer Prize for commentary to Nikole Hannah-Jones for her lead essay in The New York Times Magazine’s “The 1619 Project” comes on the heels of the severe criticism that has been heaped on the project by at least two groups of American historians, by African American activists (led by Robert Woodson…Allen C. Guelzo -
- Opinion
‘We Can Protect Lives and Livelihoods,’ Says North Carolina Lt. Gov. Dan Forest
North Carolina Lt. Gov. Dan Forest thinks his state is ready to reopen. “I believe right now many of our counties could start to open back up and you could start to do that in a safe and healthy way,” Forest, a Republican, says. The lieutenant governor joins The Daily Signal Podcast to propose how…Virginia Allen -
- News
Amid COVID-19, Illinois Seeks Federal Bailout of Fiscal Crisis ‘Decades in the Making’
Those who would be most harmed by a $40 billion federal bailout of the state of Illinois are the people of Illinois, a Republican state senator says, because such an aid package would reward and reinforce irresponsible behavior by the state’s politicians. “The people of Illinois are hurting,” state Sen. Jason Plummer, a Republican who…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
New York Mayor’s Tweet Directed at Jews Betrays Unconstitutional, Un-American Outlook
In a shocking tweet, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio threatened that police would issue summonses or make arrests after abut 2,5000 Hasidic Jews gathered for a funeral service in violation of the city’s social distancing measures. “My message to the Jewish community, and all communities, is this simple: the time for warnings has…Nicole Russell -
- News
Trump Loses Sanctuary City Fight With Chicago
The Trump administration cannot withhold grant money from cities that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, an appeals court ruled Thursday. President Donald Trump’s threat to withhold public safety grants from jurisdictions that don’t cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, otherwise known as “sanctuary cities,” violates the Constitution’s separation of powers provisions, the 7th…Jason Hopkins -
- News
Trump ‘Strongly’ Disagrees With Georgia Governor on Reopening State Amid COVID-19
President Donald Trump said he strongly disagrees with Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s move to begin reopening that state, to include some of the most likely areas where the coronavirus could spread—such as gyms, bowling alleys, and hair and nail salons, as well as massage and tattoo parlors. “I told the governor of Georgia, Brian Kemp,…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
What You Need to Know About Missouri’s Lawsuit Against China Over COVID-19
The devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is compounded by the possibility—some would say likelihood—that it could have been averted or its impact mitigated. If, for example, China failed in a timely manner to disclose the threat of the new coronavirus or misrepresented its cause or severity, there could be political or economic consequences. But…Thomas Jipping -
- Opinion
If Half the Country’s COVID-19 Deaths Were in Montana, Would New York Shut Down?
According to The New York Times coronavirus report, as of Sunday, April 19, 2:48 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, there were 35,676 COVID-19 deaths in the United States. Of those deaths, 18,690 were in the New York metropolitan area. (The New York metropolitan area is generally regarded as consisting of the five boroughs of New York…Dennis Prager -
- News
Georgia to Reopen Some Businesses Such as Gyms, Hair and Nail Salons
Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced Monday that some Georgia businesses will reopen Friday. Georgia will allow businesses such as gyms and hair and nail salons to reopen on Friday, Kemp said, noting that these businesses must stagger shifts, conduct health screenings on employees, and keep work spaces 6 feet apart from each other, The Hill reported. “By…Mary Margaret Olohan -
- News
Judge Blocks Kansas From Limiting Attendance at Religious Services
A federal judge blocked Kansas from limiting attendance at religious services during the coronavirus pandemic Saturday. Wichita U.S. District Judge John Broomes blocked an order from Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, limiting attendance at religious services to 10 people or fewer. Broomes’ ruling prevents Kelly’s enforcement of the order as long as pastors and congregations observe…Mary Margaret Olohan -
- News
Amid COVID-19 Curbs on Elective Surgery, Michigan Governor Calls Abortion ‘Life-Sustaining’
The governor of Michigan said Thursday that abortion is “life-sustaining.” Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, discussed abortion in times of the coronavirus pandemic during David Axelrod’s “Axe Files” podcast posted Thursday. Whitmer, who has drawn criticism for the coronavirus restrictions she’s implemented, noted that while Michigan has put a hold on performing all elective surgeries, abortions…Mary Margaret Olohan -
- News
California Mayor to Resign After Comparing Trump Supporters to KKK
The mayor of a Northern California city this week announced plans to step down after outrage erupted over recent social media posts comparing President Donald Trump’s supporters to members of the Ku Klux Klan, Fox News reported. The angry Auburn community, about 33 miles northeast of Sacramento, weighed in on Mayor William Kirby’s controversial comments on Facebook during a…Catherine Smith -
- News
California Offers $125 Million in Coronavirus Assistance to Illegal Aliens
California will dole out $125 million in coronavirus assistance to illegal aliens living in the state, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said during a press briefing Wednesday. The announced disaster relief assistance program is a public-private partnership with $75 million in funds being covered by taxpayers and another $50 million by philanthropic donations. “California is the most diverse state in…Jason Hopkins -
- News
Free Market Group Calls on California, 4 Other States to Suspend Government Union Dues
If elected officials were to suspend the deduction of union dues from the paychecks of public-sector employees for three months, they could pump tens of millions of dollars back into the wallets of workers who are compelled to stay home, according to a free market think tank’s analysis of government records. The savings would be…Kevin Mooney -
- News
Gov. Newsom Reveals 6 Things He Wants to See Before California Reopens After Virus Lockdown
Gov. Gavin Newsom revealed a list of six things he wants to see before the Democratic governor considers reopening California following a spate of lockdowns amid the coronavirus pandemic. Newsom laid out his “roadmap to recovery” over the virus during a news conference Tuesday, which includes a list of factors he will consider before reopening the state….Chris White -
- News
California Governor Working to Give More Coronavirus Aid to Illegal Aliens
Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he is actively considering a proposal to establish a relief fund for illegal aliens who are not covered by the stimulus package passed by Congress. Newsom on Tuesday confirmed that he is working with Democrats in the California state Legislature on a “Disaster Relief Fund” for illegal aliens, according to The…Jason Hopkins -
- News
Federal Court Supports Texas’ Abortion Ban During Medical Crisis
A federal appeals court backed Texas’ right to ban abortions during the coronavirus crisis. A three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the state’s right to temporarily prohibit abortions until April 21 during the coronavirus pandemic in a Tuesday ruling, Politico reported. The court threw out a previous ruling from a lower court blocking…Mary Margaret Olohan -
- News
Chicago Mayor Signs Executive Order Giving Coronavirus Benefits to Illegal Aliens
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Tuesday signed an executive order ensuring that all immigrants and refugees—including illegal aliens—are eligible to receive the city’s coronavirus benefits. The city of Chicago has launched several programs in order to help residents cope with the financial challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Such initiatives include a coronavirus Housing Assistance Grant…Jason Hopkins -
- Opinion
In North Carolina, Abortions Are Essential, but It’s Arrests for Pro-Lifers
If there’s one thing David Benham isn’t social distancing from, it’s his convictions. So when police showed up outside a North Carolina abortion clinic that was still operating on Saturday and told his group to stop counseling pregnant moms, he didn’t blink. If abortions can continue during the coronavirus, he insisted, then so should pro-life…Tony Perkins -
- Opinion
Nation of Georgia Is America’s Proven Ally in Fighting Common Challenges
The South Caucasus nation of Georgia has become an important partner for the United States on a range of critical global issues. The small but strategically located nation is on the front lines of efforts to contain Russian expansionism, and it has contributed thousands of troops to support U.S. efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now,…Anthony B. Kim