State Politics & News
Coverage of state politics, elections, and conservative policy battles across all 50 states shaping America’s future.
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- Opinion
He Grew Up Poor in Chicago. Then Conservative Values Helped Transform His Life.
“After I began to volunteer with this alderman and learn the ways of the Democratic Party … I began to question some of the narratives,” says Gianno Caldwell. “Why is it that although these politicians come every year during election time, why is it the conditions and the communities never get better?” That was the…Katrina Trinko -
- Opinion
New York Times and FedEx: You’re Invited to Heritage for a Tax Debate
Last weekend, FedEx became the latest company to face criticism from The New York Times for paying little or nothing in income taxes. The Times’ reporting highlights the complexity of who ultimately bears the corporate tax burden and what that means for American workers. Following the Sunday report, Frederick W. Smith, chairman and CEO of FedEx,…Adam Michel -
- News
Illinois School District Gives Transgender Students Unrestricted Access to Bathrooms
An Illinois school district ruled Thursday that transgender students will have unrestricted access to bathrooms of their choice. The school district held a meeting at Palatine High School in northwest Illinois, where board members voted to give unrestricted locker room and restroom access to transgender students, the Chicago station WGN9 reported. The board voted for the decision in…Mary Margaret Olohan -
- Opinion
In Pennsylvania, a War on Charter Schools
Charles Mitchell, who leads the Commonwealth Foundation in Pennsylvania, is worried about children’s access to charter schools in the Keystone State. “Our governor has declared war on opportunity for Pennsylvania families,” Mitchell says, referring to Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat. “He’s issued 11 executive orders, the plain intent of which is to put the kibosh…Daniel Davis -
- Opinion
What Happened to California Republicans?
From 1967 to 2019, Republicans controlled the California governorship for 31 of 52 years. So why is there currently not a single statewide Republican officeholder? California also has a Democratic governor and Democratic supermajorities in both houses of the state legislature. Only seven of California’s 53 congressional seats are held by Republicans. In 1994, then-Gov….Victor Davis Hanson -
- Opinion
Bizarre Court Ruling Halts Indiana’s Efforts to Clean Up Voter Rolls
With the 2020 presidential election less than a year away, America’s voter registration rolls are woefully out of shape. Yet well-funded liberal organizations are working to stop states from cleaning up their rolls. Their latest victim is Indiana. A federal district court has temporarily halted the state’s effort to compare its voter rolls with those of…Hans von Spakovsky -
- Opinion
What’s Driving Chicago’s Political Dysfunction
Chicago is known for its deep dish pizza, skyscrapers, and lively sports scene. Unfortunately, it’s also known for high crime, fiscal woes, and political dysfunction. Other major cities have reformed their political system over time, but not Chicago. The city remains stuck with an outdated political model where the mayor is essentially king, making it…Daniel Davis -
- News
Missouri Has One Abortion Clinic. Here’s What’s Going On in Planned Parenthood’s Fight to Keep It Open.
Planned Parenthood is fighting to keep the last abortion clinic in Missouri open as health officials say that the clinic violated mandated health requirements and that the clinic refused to cooperate with mandated inspections. Planned Parenthood maintains that anti-abortion government officials seek to eradicate the Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri…Mary Margaret Olohan -
- Opinion
Sexually Explicit Books Were Put in These Virginia Classrooms. Parents Want Answers.
Parents in Loudoun County, Virginia, are outraged after discovering that thousands of books were placed in classrooms across the school district this year as part of a new “Diverse Classroom Library Initiative.” While most of these books focus on introducing kids to different cultures and ethnicities, parents began to discover that an alarming number of…Anna Anderson -
- Opinion
Nation’s Report Card Shows Why We Should Get Washington Out of Education
Across the country, math and reading scores have continued a yearslong stagnation, with students largely showing no progress in academic achievement. That’s one major takeaway from the 2019 National Assessment of Educational Progress, released earlier this week by the National Assessment Governing Board. Often referred to as the Nation’s Report Card, the assessment tracks the…Lindsey Burke -
- Opinion
Sen. Joni Ernst Wants to Cut Absurd Washington Spending
As the national debt grows larger and larger, our lawmakers continue to spend obliviously—and even on frivolous things. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, is not happy about how much government agencies are spending on swag, and she recently introduced legislation to end things like the government spending over $600,000 on coloring books. Read a lightly edited transcript…Rachel del Guidice -
- News
Kentucky Supreme Court Sides With Christian T-Shirt Maker in Free Speech Case
The Kentucky Supreme Court ruled unanimously Thursday that a printer cannot be forced to print T-shirts that violate his faith. In a case that dragged on for seven years, Blaine Adamson, owner of Hands On Originals, a promotional printer in Lexington, declined to print T-shirts for the Lexington Pride Festival, hosted by the Gay and…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
Here’s How Poor Land Management Is Leading to Bigger California Fires
Editor’s Note: Fire season has become extreme and destructive in California as the state has been hit with numerous infernos and now power outages. In 2018, in the wake of a massive fire in Northern California, President Donald Trump said that land management has been a contributing factor to the blazes. As Jarrett Stepman wrote…Jarrett Stepman -
- Opinion
Impeachment Push Bares Ugliness of Washington Establishment
In those monster movies so popular at Halloween, it usually takes a while for the killer to be revealed. But when he is, the terror he inspired among his targets often comes to a frightening conclusion for viewers. This analogy perfectly fits the impeachment scenario now playing out in Washington. The nation is beginning to…Cal Thomas -
- Opinion
Washington Post’s Headline on ISIS Chief’s Death Shows Moral Gulf Between Left, Right
The headline to The Washington Post obituary read, “Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, austere religious scholar at helm of Islamic State, dies at 48.” “Austere religious scholar”? How about terrorist?! After Twitter world went berserk, the Post obituary reappeared with a new headline: “Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, extremist leader of Islamic State, dies at 48.” At a time…Star Parker -
- News
Kellyanne Conway Skewers Washington Post for al-Baghdadi Headline
White House counselor Kellyanne Conway ripped into The Washington Post on Monday for the newspaper’s headline calling ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi an “austere religious scholar.” The Post changed its Sunday headline after facing criticism for referring to the leader of a terrorist organization as a “religious scholar.” The original headline read “Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi,…Shelby Talcott -
- News
Judge Allows Nick Sandmann’s Libel Lawsuit Against Washington Post to Advance
A federal judge reversed his ruling Monday and announced that the family of Kentucky teenager Nick Sandmann may sue The Washington Post for libel over its coverage of the teenager. Sandmann’s family sued the Post in February, writing that the publication allegedly “target and bullied” the teenager after an incident involving a Native American activist…Shelby Talcott -
- News
In Chicago, Trump Fires Back at Police Chief Who Boycotted His Speech
Speaking before a gathering of police chiefs in Chicago, President Donald Trump on Monday sharply criticized the city’s police superintendent, who boycotted his speech, noting the high rates of violent crime there. “The courageous police officers of Chicago, and I know some of them, and they are the most incredible people, could solve this problem…Fred Lucas -
- News
Texas Governor Announces Investigation Into Case of Mom’s Transitioning Child Against Dad’s Wishes
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced an investigation into the case of a 7-year-old boy whose mother plans to transition him to a girl against his father’s wishes. Abbott, a Republican, tweeted that the Texas Attorney General’s Office and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services is looking into details of James Younger’s case. A judge was expected…Mary Margaret Olohan -
- Opinion
Texas Shooting Death Shows the High Cost of Police Negligence
Over the last several days, many journalists and commentators have reported on the tragic death of Atatiana Jefferson, a Fort Worth, Texas, pre-med student who was shot through a window by a police officer conducting a check on her property. If witness statements and body camera footage are anything to go by, Jefferson’s death is…Amy Swearer