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
How Louisiana Undermined Its Own School Choice Program
“You couldn’t learn. There was so much bullying. Kids are bullying the other kids and they’re bullying you,” said Willie Augustus, who was relentlessly bullied in his public school in Louisiana. His parents unsuccessfully fought with the school board to address the school bullying. Eventually, they applied for and received a voucher for Willie to…Jude Schwalbach -
- News
Alabama Bans Most Abortions
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has signed into law legislation that makes it a felony for doctors to perform abortions in most circumstances, effectively outlawing abortion in the state. “All human life is precious,” Ivey, a Republican, told reporters Wednesday before signing the legislation. “You certainly cannot deter your efforts to protect the unborn because of…Rachel del Guidice -
- Opinion
New York Times May Have Broken Law by Publishing Trump’s Tax Returns
The New York Times no doubt considers it quite a coup to have obtained and published President Donald Trump’s tax return information from 1985 to 1994. But doing so violated Trump’s right under federal law to the confidentiality of his tax returns. The Times—which reported that Trump’s businesses lost $1.17 billion during the 10-year period—has no…Hans von Spakovsky -
- News
Pennsylvania Democrat Brian Sims Slammed for Non-Apology After Harassing Pro-Lifers
Democratic Pennsylvania state Rep. Brian Sims, who went viral for recording himself accosting pro-lifers praying outside a Planned Parenthood clinic, sparked backlash after posting a video addressing the controversy in which he again attacked pro-lifers. Sims revealed in a video he posted Tuesday to Twitter that he has “spent the last seven years serving as…Peter Hasson -
- Opinion
A Higher Minimum Wage Fails in California
Issues such as job losses and automation have become concerns for the American people as technology transforms our economy. Some have proposed universal basic income and other policies to salve these problems, but they risk sapping the dignity of work and creating a kind of bifurcated warehouse society with huge numbers of people barely skating…Jarrett Stepman -
- News
Pennsylvania Democrat Offers Reward for Identifying Pro-Life Teens in His Video
Democratic Pennsylvania state Rep. Brian Sims filmed himself hassling and wanting to dox several teens who were praying outside an abortion clinic in April before repeating this behavior in early May. Sims filmed himself in front of a southeastern Pennsylvania Planned Parenthood in a live Facebook video posted three weeks ago. The Pennsylvania state representative…Mary Margaret Olohan -
- News
Voter Fraud Charges Endanger Texas Mayor, Topple Another in NJ
In a tale of two city mayors arrested last week on voter fraud charges, one resigned while the other says a jury will decide. Edinburg, Texas, Mayor Richard Molina doesn’t plan to go anywhere. Molina won the mayor’s race in November 2017 by 1,240 votes. But on April 25, Texas Rangers arrested the mayor and…Fred Lucas -
- News
New York Is Illegally Targeting the NRA, Trump Says
President Donald Trump on Monday called the New York state attorney general’s newly announced probe of the National Rifle Association illegal, and an expert on laws regarding nonprofits contends that the probe is at minimum improper. Trump said it was a concerted effort to “take down and destroy” the NRA. “When a state attorney general…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
The Inside Story of Trump’s First 2 Years in Washington
Jake Sherman, senior writer at Politico and co-author of Politico Playbook, is the co-author with Anna Palmer of the new book "The Hill to Die On: The Battle for Congress and the Future of Trump's America." The Daily Signal spoke to Sherman about the book and the ways President Donald Trump has transformed Washington. Our…Robert B. Bluey -
- Opinion
California Bill Would Turn College Health Centers Into Abortion Clinics
The California state Senate Education Committee recently approved Senate Bill 24, known as the College Student Right to Access Act. The bill would add a new chapter to state education code to require student health care clinics at all 34 California public colleges and universities to “offer abortion by medication techniques”—aka “the abortion pill”—starting on…Patrina Mosley -
- News
New Jersey Parents to Rally Against LGBT Education Law
A rally this weekend will give New Jersey parents an opportunity to oppose a new state law requiring public schools to teach children about the “political, economic, and social contributions” of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals. The new law also requires schools to stress such contributions made by disabled persons, but it’s the LGBT…Rachel del Guidice -
- Opinion
Arizona Case Shows the Difference Between Campus Free Speech and Harassment
Three Arizona students may soon learn a valuable lesson: There’s a difference between exercising your free speech on campus and blocking someone else’s attempt to do the same. In March, three University of Arizona students shouted down a group of U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents, and then chased them to their cars, hurling insults…Jonathan Butcher -
- News
George Washington University Students Far From Consensus on Changing ‘Colonials’ Mascot
The Student Association at George Washington University has called the school’s nickname and mascot, the Colonials, “extremely offensive” and has urged that it be changed, but it’s not at all clear how widespread support for the move is among the broader student body. A recent referendum question asking GW students whether the university should…Courtney Joyner -
- News
In Wisconsin, School Choice Has Unexpected Benefits
Elisha Doerr would not have had an opportunity to attend Wisconsin Lutheran High School, a Milwaukee-based private boarding school, if it weren’t for a school choice program. The school’s excellent curricula and the religious community were valuable to Doerr, 18, who now attends Harvard University and is deciding between majoring in government or computer science….Joshua Q. Nelson -
- Opinion
Physician-Assisted Suicide Comes to New Jersey. Here’s Why It’s Badly Misguided.
In becoming the ninth jurisdiction to legalize physician-assisted suicide, New Jersey has unleashed a Pandora’s box on its residents—and the poor, weak, and disabled will suffer the most. The Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act was signed into law by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, after it narrowly cleared both…Monica Burke -
- Opinion
Colorado Sex Ed Bill Would Force Kids to Learn LGBT Ideology, Ban Talk of Abstinence
Colorado’s wildly controversial, comprehensive sex ed legislation has ignited national discussions about how far Americans want to expose their children to a radical social agenda. More than a few eyebrows were raised when Colorado passed its mandatory comprehensive sex education law in 2013, which required students undergo “culturally sensitive” lessons. “Culturally sensitive” meant that sex…Stephanie Curry -
- News
Man Wearing MAGA Hat Attacked in Maryland Neighborhood
A legal citizen from Togo was reportedly attacked in Maryland for wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat on Saturday, as police have taken two suspects into custody. The man, who lives in Germantown, Maryland, was reportedly attacked in his neighborhood by two men because he was wearing the hat, in support of President Donald Trump. He was reportedly hit…Henry Rodgers -
- News
In Florida, Ron DeSantis Accelerates Conservative Agenda
As his first legislative session winds down, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis—elected five months ago by the narrowest of margins—has soared in popularity while pursuing an aggressive reform agenda that includes reshaping the state’s judiciary, investigating school safety, and enforcing immigration laws. “He’s off to a fast start. He’s a trailblazer throughout the state,” Scott Parkinson,…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
Illinois Proposes Taxpayers Pay for Some Gender Reassignment Surgeries
If there’s one thing the far left has excelled at, it’s making you pay for its radical policies, whether or not it has the money for it. In Illinois, a state known for its persistent fiscal troubles, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services recently announced its intention to begin covering gender reassignment surgeries under the state’s Medicaid program….Tony Perkins -
- Opinion
California’s War on Middle Class
For over six years, California has had a top marginal income tax rate of 13.3%, the highest in the nation. About 150,000 households in a state of 40 million people now pay nearly half of the total annual state income tax. The state legislature sold that confiscatory tax rate on the idea that it was…Victor Davis Hanson