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
After All These Years, Some Prohibition Laws Still Exist. Here’s How New York Is Cleaning Them Up.
The 21st Amendment ended Prohibition on Dec. 5, 1933. Still, some laws that were enacted to enforce Prohibition remain on the books, binding businesses today with antiquated red tape. Members of the New York City Council raised awareness of the problems earlier this month when they voted to repeal a Prohibition-era “cabaret law.” But there…John-Michael Seibler -
- News
California Judge Blocks Trump’s Sanctuary City Order
A federal judge in California blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order reducing funding for sanctuary cities Monday, limiting the administration’s ability to punish municipalities that violate federal immigration law. The permanent injunction follows a preliminary ruling, issued in April, in a suit filed by the city of San Francisco and Santa Clara County. “The Counties have demonstrated…Jack Crowe -
- News
As GOP Looks to Eliminate State Tax Deduction, New Jersey Democrat Wavers on Millionaires Tax
New Jersey is potentially holding off hiking its income tax due to the possibility of the state and local tax deduction being eliminated in the GOP tax plan, according to the president of the New Jersey Senate. “I’m actually very concerned for the people of this state if this Trump tax happens, and I think…Rachel del Guidice -
- News
Citing Virginia Election Losses, Conservatives Demand Congress Follow Through on Promises
Conservatives are calling for Republicans in Congress to fulfill their campaign promises by supporting President Donald Trump’s spending proposal and to not enact amnesty in a year-end deal with Democrats. A letter released Monday and signed by 44 conservative leaders explains that Virginia is “in ruins” after Republican losses at both the statewide and local…Casey Ryan -
- Opinion
We Hear You: ‘High-Tax Paradises Such as New Jersey and California Better Wake Up’
Editor's note: With tax reform now in the Senate's hands following passage of a House bill to overhaul the tax code, it's a good time to review some more related thoughts of The Daily Signal's audience. Remember to write us at [email protected].—Ken McIntyre Dear Daily Signal: Regarding Rachel del Guidice's story on repealing the state…Ken McIntyre -
- Opinion
Louisiana Is Leading on Long-Overdue Criminal Justice Reform
Louisiana has joined the growing ranks of states that have embraced comprehensive criminal justice reform. The Pelican State passed a reform package in June 2017 with strong bipartisan support, and will pursue additional reforms over the next year. These reforms are designed to reduce recidivism, improve public safety, and invest in proven re-entry programs while…Daniel Erspamer -
- Opinion
Watch Our Tour of the New Museum of the Bible in Washington
The Museum of the Bible opened its doors to the public on Friday, Nov. 17. We got a sneak peek when the museum’s director of content, Seth Pollinger, took us on a tour of one section of the over 400,000 square feet museum. Considering there are over 500 artifacts and biblical texts in the History of…Genevieve Wood -
- News
Texas Budget to Include $20 Million for Pro-Life Options
Texas has allocated $20 million in its 2018-2019 budget to go to a pro-life program that offers alternatives to abortion and provides services to new parents. “If they’re self-sufficient through the process of childbirth and afterward, that saves the state money and makes for much happier women and children and families,” Texas Alliance for Life…Grace Carr -
- News
Through God, This Mississippi Boys School Is Working to Heal the Racial Divide
GREENWOOD, Mississippi—Thomas McMillin Howard, known as “T. Mac,” describes Greenwood, Mississippi as a “backwards place.” And sadly, most people who’ve visited would agree. Separated by a bridge where the black population tends to live on one side, and the white population mostly lives on the other, Greenwood has struggled to reconnect with its racially segregated…Kelsey Bolar -
- Opinion
Louisiana’s Kyle Duncan, Trump’s Superb Choice for the 5th Circuit
A legal powerhouse from Louisiana with a history of championing religious freedom is among President Donald Trump’s outstanding nominees for federal judgeships. Kyle Duncan is one of Trump’s excellent picks for the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals as the president works to reshape the federal courts by announcing slate after slate of his choices to…Ed Meese -
- Opinion
Supreme Court to Hear Case on Whether California Pro-Lifers Have to Promote Abortion
The Supreme Court agreed Monday to hear a critical First Amendment challenge to a California law that forces life-affirming pregnancy centers to promote abortion. The National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA) is a group that promotes life-affirming options to women experiencing an unplanned pregnancy by supporting more than 1,400 pregnancy resource centers across…Melanie Israel -
- News
CNN Fails to Include Unborn Baby in Texas Church Shooting Victim Tally
CNN rejected the official government tally of 26 victims in last week’s Texas church shooting, insisting the victims included “25 people and an unborn child.” Texas is one of 38 states with fetal homicide laws that treat unborn children as individual entities when it comes to criminal law, according to The New York Times. CNN tweeted the…Anders Hagstrom -
- News
Supreme Court Will Review California Law Requiring Pro-Life Groups to Promote Abortion
The U.S. Supreme Court Monday agreed to hear a challenge to a California law requiring pro-life crisis pregnancy centers to post information about state-funded abortions. A coalition of pro-life groups challenging the law say it explicitly targets and coerces religious counseling centers into pro-abortion expression with which they disagree. The law, called the Reproductive FACT…Kevin Daley -
- Opinion
Must-See Moments: California NAACP Wants Congress to Replace the ‘Racist’ ‘Star-Spangled Banner’
The Daily Signal’s Facebook Live show “Top 10” features the top news stories of the week, many of which have either gone underreported or have been misreported by the mainstream media. This week, California’s NAACP wants a new national anthem because it says “The Star-Spangled Banner” is racist. We also touched on people’s outrage after…Daily Signal Staff -
- News
Virginia’s Democrat Governor-Elect Strikes Moderate Tone After ‘Progressive Tidal Wave’
A day after Democrats proclaimed Tuesday’s electoral wins a “progressive tidal wave,” Virginia’s governor-elect struck a tone of moderation. Gov.-elect Ralph Northam offered praise for his defeated Republican opponent, Ed Gillespie, and indicated he would work with President Donald Trump on issues such as the U.S. military. “If he plans to build up the military,…Rachel del Guidice -
- Opinion
New York Times Doesn’t Get Why Nuclear Weapons Are Actually Necessary
Leave it to The New York Times to misrepresent U.S. nuclear weapons strategy. In its Oct. 26 editorial, the Times completely misses the point of possessing nuclear weapons: to deter large-scale attacks against the United States, assure our allies so that they won’t develop their own nuclear capabilities, and win a nuclear war should the extreme…Michaela Dodge -
- News
Here’s Why an Unborn Baby Was Counted as a Person in the Texas Massacre
The sheriff deputies who assessed the fatalities at the bloody crime scene at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, counted the death toll as 26 because one of the victims was a mother carrying an unborn child inside of her. The federal Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2004 recognizes unborn children as separate victims for…Grace Carr -
- Opinion
Delaware Considers Letting Students Decide Race, Gender Without Parents’ Permission
“White boys could soon self-identify as black girls in Delaware.” So begins one of the latest columns of Fox News’ Todd Starnes, reporting on what parents probably wish was fake news. Unfortunately for the families in The First State, reality may soon be optional for kids in Delaware public schools. In one of the more incredible headlines of…Tony Perkins -
- Opinion
California NAACP Calls ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ ‘Racist.’ Here’s Why Frederick Douglass Loved It.
Editorial Note: California’s NAACP has launched a campaign to remove “The Star-Spangled Banner” as America’s national anthem because it is “one of the most racist, pro-slavery, anti-black songs in the American lexicon.” The organization expressed support for NFL player Colin Kaepernick, who launched the recent movement to kneel for the national anthem before sports events. The following…Jarrett Stepman -
- Opinion
Podcast: The Lessons From the Virginia Election Results
In today’s podcast, we discuss the lessons conservatives should learn from the Democrat shellacking of Republicans in Virginia Tuesday. Among them: Democrats are now paying attention to state races, an area Republicans had dominated in recent years. But there’s also lessons for Democrats: gubernatorial winner Ralph Northam went against liberals on the sanctuary city issue….Katrina Trinko