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 the Washington Establishment Actually Operates
Last week, as the national media obsessed over President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court nomination, two conservative lawmakers did exactly what they were supposed to do: Listen to their constituents. Despite intense pressure from House leadership, Rep. Dave Brat, R-Va., and Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind., stood alone in voting against advancing the flawed fiscal year 2017…William Wolfe -
- Opinion
Lottery Revenue Will Save Washington Charter Schools From Liberal Court Ruling
In November, children all over Washington State faced uncertain futures when the Washington State Supreme Court ruled that public funding for charter schools was unconstitutional. While charter schools in Washington managed to secure the funding necessary to keep their doors open through the school year, many wondered if families would be forced to abandon the…Mary Clare Amselem -
- News
How Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin Wants to Change the Traditional Public Education Model
Across the country, state legislatures are challenging the traditional public education model. And in Oklahoma, Gov. Mary Fallin is looking to Sooner State lawmakers to bring Education Savings Accounts to students and parents. Education Savings Accounts, also known as ESAs, redirect the portion of funding normally spent on a student into a separate account accessible…Melissa Quinn -
- Opinion
Why Washington’s Political Class Is Losing Control
The Washington political establishment has hit the panic button. Not because they are afraid of any one individual or candidate, but because they are afraid of losing their own political power. The Washington political establishment has hit the panic button. This town is filled with well intentioned people who believe they are doing the right…Sen. David Perdue -
- Opinion
Florida Moves to Reform Controversial Police Practice
The Florida state Senate recently voted unanimously in support of a major civil forfeiture reform package. On Tuesday the Florida House of Representatives followed suit, voting 116-0 in favor of the bill. Forfeiture reform has won the full-throated support of state legislators. Now the bill heads to the desk of Gov. Rick Scott, a Republican, who has…Jason Snead -
- Opinion
Filibusted: Missouri Democrats Fail to Block Religious Liberty Bill Concerning Same-Sex Marriage
A minority of Missouri legislators held a much needed religious liberty proposal hostage in Jefferson City over the last two days. Democrats there filibustered for over 36 hours against SJR 39, a commonsense bill that would let Missouri citizens vote to ban government discrimination against people of faith because of their beliefs about marriage. This was the…Roger Severino -
- News
Washington Supreme Court Will Hear Case of 70-Year-Old Florist Sued for Declining Gay Wedding Request
The Washington Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case of a 70-year-old florist who declined to make flower arrangements for a gay couple’s wedding. The florist, Barronelle Stutzman, was found guilty by lower courts of violating the state’s anti-discrimination and consumer protection laws. “Barronelle and many others like her around the country have been…Kelsey Bolar -
- Opinion
South Dakota GOP Governor Has No Problem With Boys in Girls’ Locker Rooms
South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard, a Republican, officially has no problem with boys in girls’ locker rooms. There’s no other way to say it. Special interests and big businesses effectively lobbied the governor to veto a good bill because of the threats they made. Welcome to cultural cronyism at the bathroom. Welcome to cultural cronyism at…Ryan T. Anderson -
- News
South Dakota Governor Vetoes Transgender Bathroom Bill
South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard, a Republican, vetoed a controversial bill Tuesday that would have prohibited public school students from using bathrooms, lockers, and shower rooms opposite from their biological sex, saying the measure “doesn’t address any pressing issue concerning the school districts of South Dakota.” Before making his decision, Daugaard met with transgender students…Kelsey Bolar -
- Opinion
There’s a Lot at Stake With Texas Abortion Case
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear the case of Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt on March 2. This is the most important case regarding abortion to be argued before the Supreme Court in almost a decade. Nationally, an estimated “26,500 women experienced complications and approximately 3,180 required hospitalization in 2011” for first-trimester abortions alone. In…Arina O. Grossu -
- Opinion
Texas Abortion Case Is Women’s Health ‘No-Brainer’
There have been many over-the-top liberal reactions to the 2013 Texas law known as House Bill 2. Some have even gone so far as to call it a “a calamity for all women.” But this legislation is anything but. It actually protects the health and safety of women through requiring abortion facilities to meet the…Kerri Kupec -
- News
North Carolina Lawmakers Brace for Bathroom Fight
The country’s latest culture war has shifted to North Carolina in recent weeks, where lawmakers are engaged in a tense debate over whether or not transgender people should be given full, unrestrained access to bathrooms that correspond with their preferred gender identity instead of their biological sex. The issue arose last Monday, when the Charlotte…Kelsey Bolar -
- News
Minnesota Kindergarten Students Forced to Confront Gender Identity
It all started with a book: “My Princess Boy.” On Oct. 14, 2015, the elementary school principal of a Minnesota charter school informed parents that in the coming days, the school would be taking steps to “support a student who is gender nonconforming.” Their 5- and 6-year-old children, parents were told in an email, “will…Kelsey Bolar -
- News
Law Enforcement Seized This Oklahoma Man’s Truck Without Charging Him With a Crime
GRADY COUNTY, OKLA.— When Stephen Mills learned that the Grady County Sheriff’s Department seized his Ford F-250 back in 2010, he figured it would be a matter of days before police returned the vehicle to him and his wife. It wasn’t. Watch our video to learn about Mills’ efforts to get his truck back—and what…Melissa Quinn -
- News
Ohio Gun Seller Alleges ‘Widespread’ Government Discrimination
An Ohio firearms retailer who was recently denied access to banking services says the federal government is continuing to “discriminate against” his industry. “I definitely think the government is discriminating against our industry,” William Evans, president and CEO of American Tactical Concepts in Wadsworth, Ohio, told The Daily Signal. “It’s a little too widespread.” Evans, who…Kelsey Bolar -
- Opinion
How Oregon’s $14.50 Minimum Wage Will Hurt Those It’s Supposed to Help
Good intentions can produce terrible results. Recently the Oregon legislature passed an unprecedented minimum wage hike in effort to help workers within their state, but the legislation will hurt the workers it’s supposed to help. By 2022, the state’s minimum wage will rise to $14.50/hour in the Portland area, $12.50/hour in rural areas, and $13.25/hour…James Sherk -
- Opinion
What This Washington Post Columnist Got Wrong in Analysis of Conservatives
Beware of friendly progressives like E. J. Dionne, Jr., who come bearing beguiling gifts like how conservatism can get back on the right track. In his new book, “Why the Right Went Wrong: Conservatism from Goldwater to the Tea Party and Beyond,” Dionne, a featured columnist of the always helpful Washington Post, argues that because…Lee Edwards -
- Opinion
What Would Happen If New York City Went Forward With Letting Illegal Immigrants Vote
The New York Post is reporting that some members of the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus will be pushing for the New York City Council to pass a law allowing illegal aliens to vote in NYC elections for mayor, comptroller, public advocate, borough president, and City Council. This is an anti-democratic policy driven by politics…Hans von Spakovsky -
- News
Oregon Bakers Get New Legal Representation From Former H.W. Bush White House Counsel
Aaron and Melissa Klein, the Oregon bakers who were ordered to pay $135,000 for refusing to make a cake for a same-sex wedding, have assembled a new legal team to take their case through the appeals process. The Kleins are now being represented by attorneys at First Liberty, a law firm that specializes in…Kelsey Bolar -
- News
Business Leader Predicts Oregon Will Lose 62,700 Jobs Due to Minimum Wage Hike
Oregon state legislators, acting despite the concerns of business groups, have passed a geographically based increase in the minimum wage. Two of the state’s business leaders, speaking to The Daily Signal, say they’re worried about what comes next. Jason Brandt, president and CEO of the Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association, said he expects “significant, unintended consequences,” adding: We are…Leah Jessen