State Politics & News
Coverage of state politics, elections, and conservative policy battles across all 50 states shaping America’s future.
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- News
Why North Dakota Is Taking a Different Path in Lawsuit Against Obama’s Clean Power Plan
Almost immediately after the Obama administration’s Clean Power Plan was posted on the federal register, dozens of states filed a lawsuit challenging the regulations. But North Dakota didn’t join those other states as co-plaintiffs. Instead Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, a Republican who is expected to run for governor in 2016, filed a separate suit against…Rob Port -
- News
Without Government Subsidy, Electric Car Sales Crash in Georgia
For more than 15 years, Georgia offered one of the country’s most generous tax credits for people who bought electric cars. But the $5,000 subsidy went away three months ago, and a look by Watchdog.org at how the tax credit’s expiration has affected sales shows a dramatic drop in the number of all-electric cars such as Teslas…Rob Nikolewski -
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Should Government Save Horse Racing in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania’s wilting horse-racing industry can no longer support the fund that pays to oversee the sport, a development that could lead to a shutdown by late November. Yet the races could go on, through Thanksgiving and thereafter, if lawmakers push through a plan to subsidize the depleted State Racing Fund with money from another pot…Andrew Staub -
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Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks Alabama From Defunding Planned Parenthood
A federal judge has temporarily blocked Alabama from terminating Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood on Wednesday, the Associated Press reported. Gov. Robert Bentley, R-Ala., ordered that the state end its Medicaid contract with Planned Parenthood after the Center for Medical Progress released a series of undercover videos that raised allegations that the organization is trafficking the body…Kate Scanlon -
- News
In Pennsylvania, Stalking Can Be Legal for Union Members. That May Change.
Pennsylvania lawmakers are on the brink of closing a legal loophole that exempts parties to an organized labor dispute from charges of stalking, harassment, and threatening to use a weapon of mass destruction. The stalking loophole has existed since the state officially defined the offense in its criminal code in 2002. As of 2012, Pennsylvania…Andrew Staub -
- Opinion
This Ohio City Council Made Possession of Cigarettes for Those Under 21 a Crime
Should a 20 year-old’s possession of cigarettes within any 1.33-square-mile area be a crime? Lawmakers in Grandview Heights, Ohio, thought so until some vocal opponents changed their minds. One lesson of overcriminalization is that federal, state and local legislators, prosecutors, agency regulators and even judges can contribute to making virtually any conduct a crime. If lawmakers don’t…John-Michael Seibler -
- News
Texas Inspector General Says Whistleblower Prompted Planned Parenthood Probe
Stuart Bowen, the inspector general of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, told The Dallas Morning News that a whistleblower alleging Medicaid fraud at Texas Planned Parenthood clinics spurred the agency’s investigation. The Daily Signal previously reported that inspectors from the Texas Office of the Inspector General recently served subpoenas for clinic records at several Planned…Kate Scanlon -
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In New York, Restaurant Industry Fights Minimum Wage Hike, Argues NY Governor Guilty of ‘Executive Overreach’
The National Restaurant Association is fighting New York’s anticipated $15-per-hour minimum wage hike in the restaurant industry’s latest wage battle. The association filed a petition last week pressing the New York Industrial Board of Appeals to scrap the anticipated increase for fast food workers in the state. The group argued that the New York Department…Natalie Johnson -
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Baker Who Doesn’t Want to Make Wedding Cakes for Same-Sex Couples Takes His Case to Colorado Supreme Court
Another layer has unfolded for cake artist Jack Phillips. He has asked the Colorado Supreme Court to rule that the government cannot force him to bake a cake in celebration of a same-sex wedding. In August, the Colorado Court of Appeals ruled that Phillips and his bakery, Masterpiece Cakeshop, must bake cakes for same-sex weddings,…Leah Jessen -
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After Parents File Lawsuit, Tennessee County Reverses Decision to Close Schools Over Obamacare
Clay County Director of Schools Jerry Strong announced Thursday that all campuses will remain open, despite the school board voting to close all schools in the lower income Tennessee district. The issue has centered around whether the schools that are struggling with finances close or continue the school year in hopes the school board will find…Sara Jones -
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Some Colorado Local Governments Are Making It Difficult for Journalists, Taxpayers to See How Tax Dollars Are Spent
Some Colorado governments are modifying their data, making it difficult—or prohibitively expensive—for taxpayers and journalists to determine who is paid the highest salary or how public money is spent. Pinnacol Assurance, a quasi-government agency with a history of spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on lavish trips and alcohol-fueled events while paying employees huge salaries, recently…Arthur Kane -
- Opinion
One Lawmaker Fights Wisconsin’s Practice of Letting Lawmakers Charge Taxpayers For Unused Sick Days
It’s enough to make any Wisconsin taxpayer sick. For 40 years, state legislators have enjoyed a special benefit that not only grants them sick leave, but also allows them to bank all unused sick days and use the cash value of those days to pay for health insurance after they retire from the legislature. “It’s a…Paul Brennan -
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Homeowners in This Ohio Town Had Their Front Yards Seized By the Government
Fort Meigs Road in Perrysburg, Ohio, is too narrow and needs widening, as almost all would agree. But homeowners along the road don’t agree with how it should be widened, nor do they agree with the “quick take” eminent domain process the city used to claim people’s front yards. What these residents find even harder to stomach is the…Maggie Thurber -
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South Carolina Obamacare Co-Op Flops
An Obamacare trend continues. With an announcement to not offer health insurance in 2016, Consumers’ Choice Health Insurance Company in South Carolina becomes the ninth consumer owned and operated plan (co-op) created under Obamacare to stop operations. It was “an avoidable outcome,” according to a statement from Jerry Burgess, president and CEO of Consumers’ Choice. Approximately 67,000…Leah Jessen -
- News
Texas Takes on Planned Parenthood, Investigates Clinics
Inspectors from the Texas Office of the Inspector General served subpoenas for clinic records at several Planned Parenthood centers in the state on Thursday, the organization said. Abby Johnson, a former director of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Texas said in a statement that “[i]t is long past time that inspectors, not just in Texas but…Kate Scanlon -
- News
Ohio Might Be the Next State to Defund Planned Parenthood
Ohio could become the next state to defund Planned Parenthood. The Ohio Senate approved legislation on Wednesday that would prevent state and certain federal funds from going to Planned Parenthood. The legislation was approved in a 23-10 vote and was sent to the Republican-led state House for consideration. In a statement, Ohio Senate President Keith Faber,…Kate Scanlon -
- Opinion
Liberal Party Wins Canadian Elections: Washington Should Pay More Attention to Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada won yesterday’s election, giving them an outright majority in the Canadian Parliament. Justin Trudeau, the prime minister designate and son of former Liberal Party Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, led his party to victory with just under 40 percent of the vote. (Since there is a significant third party, the New…David Inserra -
- News
Texas Governor Defends Defunding Planned Parenthood: It’s ‘Money That They Do Not Deserve’
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says that Planned Parenthood has “very serious legal issues” in Texas. A letter was sent to Planned Parenthood affiliates in Texas on Monday notifying them that their Medicaid contracts will be terminated. Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com Abbott defended the state’s decision to cut off Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood…Leah Jessen -
- News
ACLU Sues Missouri Colleges for Denying Illegal Immigrants In-State Tuition
The American Civil Liberties Union filed multiple lawsuits in Missouri last week on behalf of three college students who claim they were wrongfully barred from receiving in-state tuition because of their immigration status under President Barack Obama’s executive action. The ACLU’s Missouri division sued three colleges in the state for “illegally” charging those students an…Natalie Johnson -
- News
Texas to End Planned Parenthood’s Participation in State’s Medicaid Program
Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, announced Monday that Texas will end Planned Parenthood’s participation in the state’s Medicaid program. “Texas has stepped forward and shown its unyielding commitment to both protecting life and providing women’s health services,” Abbott said in a statement. “The gruesome harvesting of baby body parts by Planned Parenthood will not be allowed…Kate Scanlon