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
Maine Rejected Medicaid Expansion and Found Success. Now, House Health Bill Would Send Us Backward.
As conversations swirl on Capitol Hill and across the nation regarding the repeal of Obamacare and Medicaid reform, I would like to describe Maine’s success in reducing Medicaid enrollment by 24 percent in the last five years and why our experience is relevant to the ongoing debate. In our corner of the United States, we…Mary Mayhew -
- News
Texas Bathroom Bill Intended to Be ‘Model for Other States’
The Texas Legislature will be voting next week on a bill that will prevent men from entering women’s restrooms and the lieutenant governor of Texas says his state’s legislation is a model for the nation. “I think that our legislation can be a model for other states to follow and end this discussion once and…Rachel del Guidice -
- Opinion
Kansas City Bombing Scheme Becomes First Terror Plot of 2017
The FBI arrested Robert Lorenzo Hester on Feb. 17 and charged him with planning bombings in Kansas City, Missouri. The FBI said Hester, of Columbia, Missouri, plotted with undercover agents to use pipe bombs, some fitted with nails for maximum damage, to attack a train station and nearby buses. This was the 94th confirmed Islamist-inspired terror…Riley Walters -
- News
Texas Legislature to Consider Bill to Ensure ‘Public Safety’ in Bathrooms
Texas is taking measures to protect its citizens from laws that hinder “common sense and public safety” when it comes to transgender persons being allowed to use both men’s and women’s restrooms. “This is a public safety issue,” Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a Republican, said during a conference call with reporters Friday. Legislation filed…Rachel del Guidice -
- Opinion
How Tennessee Criminalized Compassion for Animals
Giving physical therapy to animals usually isn’t too controversial, but apparently in Tennessee, it is. A Tennessee licensing board has threatened to criminally prosecute two women for nothing more than helping horses through massage therapy. Their case shows just how asinine state occupational licensing laws can be: While the applicable regulatory scheme forbids their current…David Rosenthal -
- News
Conservatives Score Victory for Free Speech at California University
A California university has changed its policies regarding free speech after being sued by Young America’s Foundation and conservative speaker Ben Shapiro. The lawsuit, which was filed by attorneys from the Alliance Defending Freedom, came after a Shapiro speaking event sponsored by Young America’s Foundation and organized by its affiliate organization, Young Americans for Freedom,…Caleb Ecarma -
- News
Oklahoma Police Chief to Trump: Reform the Laws Letting Police Take Americans’ Property
An Oklahoma police chief had a message to President Donald Trump on a controversial tool that allows law enforcement to seize property without ever charging its owner with a crime: police can’t step on the rights of citizens, as the tool called civil asset forfeiture allows. Stephen Mills, a police chief in Apache, Oklahoma, made…Melissa Quinn -
- News
Scott Walker Points to Wisconsin Model for Why Republicans Should Follow Through on Promises
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker asked his fellow conservatives to follow through on the promises made to Americans, and used his state as evidence that this can be both successful and popular. “Do what you said you were going to do; to go big, to go bold, and to actually follow through on the promises you…Caleb Ecarma -
- Opinion
Creating Jobs in Mississippi’s Golden Triangle
Entrepreneurial dynamism has lagged in America for the past eight years, according to The Heritage Foundation’s 2017 Index of Economic Freedom. Yet someone in Mississippi’s Golden Triangle has been creating jobs for the American people. That person is Joe Max Higgins, an economic development official who has been going the extra mile for his fellow…Anthony B. Kim -
- Opinion
How Arizona Is Using Licensure Laws to Punish Compassion
Has it become illegal in America to give someone a free haircut? Juan Carlos Montesdeoca was a cosmetology student at the recently shuttered Regency Beauty School in Tucson, Arizona. As a former homeless man, he knows that the homeless often go months without receiving a basic haircut. Putting his new talents to good use, he…David Rosenthal -
- News
Trump Has Fewest Cabinet Secretaries Confirmed Since George Washington
It took nearly a month, but President Donald Trump is finally operating with at least half of his Cabinet in place. Not since George Washington in 1789 has a newly elected president waited so long. Twenty-five days after Trump took the oath of office, the Senate on Monday night voted to confirm the eighth and…Robert B. Bluey -
- News
Book Detailing the Story of Infamous Abortionist Left Off New York Times Best-Seller List
A popular book chronicling the story of abortionist Kermit Gosnell, who was convicted for murdering several infants, was left off The New York Times best-seller list. Since its release on Jan. 24, "Gosnell: The Untold Story of America’s Most Prolific Serial Killer" quickly reached Amazon’s best-seller list, but was left off The New York Times' hardcover nonfiction best-seller…Morgan Walker -
- News
How a Law Designed to Promote Fairness Is Hiking Gas Prices in Wisconsin
New Deal-era legislation is causing major headaches for Wisconsin’s consumers and businesses. A law that has been on the books in Wisconsin since 1939 forces consumers to pay an extra 9 percent on fuel, in the name of fairness. A report by the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute examined the law and its impact on consumers…Maria Servold -
- News
Nebraska Woman Loses Health Insurance for Fourth Time Under Obamacare
Pamela Weldin’s experiences with Obamacare can be boiled down to just a few numbers. Since the health care law’s implementation three years ago, Weldin, 60, has lost her insurance four different times. And the Nebraska woman is currently enrolled in her fifth new insurance policy in four years. “Yet again, and through no fault of…Melissa Quinn -
- News
Texas Governor Deprives Sanctuary County of $1.5 Million Grant
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott cut off state funds to a county that provides sanctuary to illegal immigrants Wednesday, following through on an earlier pledge to punish such sanctuary cities and localities. Travis County will no longer have access to $1.8 million in state criminal justice grants, Abbott announced in a letter to county officials, because of…Rachel Stoltzfoos -
- News
Why These Americans From 14 States Came to Washington for Trump’s Inauguration
They came by the thousands from all over America to support the man they said can turn around economic, social, and other ills as the nation’s 45th president. The Daily Signal visited the National Mall, where an inaugural concert was held Thursday night, and the Capitol grounds, where Donald Trump was sworn in at noon…Josh Siegel -
- News
Trump’s Entrepreneurial Approach Threatens the Washington Establishment, Says Newt Gingrich
President-elect Donald Trump is on a collision course with the Washington establishment, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said Thursday. A city that is accustomed to doing things a certain way contrasts sharply with Trump’s entrepreneurial approach, he observed. Gingrich spoke at The Heritage Foundation for the second of a six-part series on understanding Trump and…Morgan Walker -
- News
As Congress Plots Repeal, Former Pennsylvania Democrat Faces $784 in Monthly Premiums Under Obamacare
Before President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law, he promised Americans they would have quality, affordable health care, and would be able to keep their same health insurance plans and doctors. But in the three years since Obamacare’s exchanges opened for business, Ross Schriftman, 64, said none of those promises have come…Melissa Quinn -
- News
Texas Governor Pledges to Sign Anti-Sanctuary City Bill
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says he expects the Legislature to pass an anti-sanctuary city bill this year, opening a new front in the battle over “local control.” Weighing in on the intensifying national immigration debate, the Republican governor pledged to sign S.B. 4, which would require municipalities to enforce migrant detainers at local jails and withhold state…Kenric Ward -
- News
New York Proposes Free College, but Not Everyone’s Buying It
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced an “aggressive” new plan to provide free college tuition to families earning up to $125,000 a year. Under the proposal, nearly a million families would qualify. “We’re making college tuition-free for middle-class families,” Cuomo, a Democrat, said. “This is the most aggressive plan ever proposed.” To participate, students are…Kelsey Bolar