State Politics & News
Coverage of state politics, elections, and conservative policy battles across all 50 states shaping America’s future.
-
- News
Florida Law Instituting a 24-Hour Waiting Period for Abortion Goes Into Effect
After being temporarily delayed by a judge, a Florida law that institutes a mandatory 24-hour waiting period before undergoing an abortion went into effect on Wednesday. House Bill 633 was signed into law last month. The legislation requires an abortion provider to meet with a woman seeking an abortion for a consultation appointment at least 24…Kate Scanlon -
- News
Mike Huckabee in Iowa: ‘Religious Liberty Is the Foundation of All Our Liberties’
FORT DODGE, Iowa—Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee—who won Iowa’s Republican caucuses in 2008—joined a room full of Iowans this morning to lay out the policies he would promote during his latest presidential run. Huckabee, who especially succeeded in winning over evangelicals in 2008, focused much of his speech on religious liberty, which he called “the…Leah Jessen -
- News
What the Newest Addition to the Washington Nationals Can Teach Us About Conservatism
Baseball fans should be on the lookout for a new addition at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., later this week. Ladies & gents, please meet the newest #Nats Racing President: Calvin Coolidge! Welcome to The Show, Calvin. pic.twitter.com/ZWox6RpSYB — Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 1, 2015 Calvin Coolidge will join five other former U.S. presidents in…Samantha Reinis -
- News
Court Rules to Remove 10 Commandments Statue at Oklahoma State Capitol
By a margin of 7-2, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday to remove the state Capitol’s Ten Commandments monument. The state Supreme Court ruled that the monument is “obviously religious in nature and … an integral part of the Jewish and Christian faiths,” and therefore defies separation of church and state. Attorney General Scott Pruitt…Diana Stancy -
- Opinion
Students Will No Longer Face Jail Time for Missing School in Texas
Everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes the number of children charged with Class C misdemeanors for skipping school. Texas was one of only two states to consider truancy a crime, and in 2013 the Lone Star State prosecuted over 115,000 kids for missing school. The result: 17-year-old students were locked up with adult…Jason Snead -
- News
University of Wisconsin Launches Program to Find Missing Soldiers
More than 73,000 Americans who served in World War II “remain unaccounted for,” according to the Department of Defense. As we approach the 70th anniversary of the conclusion of the war this September, their families still wait for answers about what happened to their loved ones. Recently, the University of Wisconsin-Madison has decided to help locate…Kate Scanlon -
- News
Avian Flu Could Be the ‘Worst Animal Disease Outbreak’ in Iowa’s History. Why That Matters.
Almost 50 million bird flocks in more than 20 states, not to mention the biosecurity of the nation, seem to be under the weather with the current Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza outbreak. Randy Olson, executive director of the Iowa Poultry Association, called it the “worst animal disease outbreak in the history of Iowa and potentially…Leah Jessen -
- News
Ohio Moves to Ban Late-Term Abortions
The Ohio Senate has passed legislation that would prohibit late-term abortions in the state. The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act would ban abortion after 20 weeks—roughly halfway through a pregnancy. The Republican-controlled Senate approved the legislation last week in a 23-9 vote along party lines. The bill will be considered by the House, which is…Kate Scanlon -
- News
Pennsylvania Newspaper Won’t Publish Op-Eds Opposing Gay Marriage
Following the Supreme Court’s decision to legalize gay marriage on Friday, a Pennsylvania newspaper will no longer publish views on traditional marriage. According to a story from its editorial board, “PennLive/The Patriot-News will very strictly limit op-eds and letters to the editor in opposition to same-sex marriage.” However, for a “limited time” only, the newspaper…Chelsea Scism -
- News
California Legislature Passes Mandatory Vaccination Bill
The California state legislature passed a controversial vaccination mandate Thursday requiring all schoolchildren receive vaccinations regardless of personal and religious beliefs. The law would end the ability of parents to exempt their children from vaccination unless a serious medical reason is given. Unvaccinated children are required to be homeschooled. Republican Assemblyman Rocky Chavez voted against…Natalie Johnson -
- News
John Kasich Makes His Way to Iowa for First Time in 16 Years
DES MOINES, Iowa—After more than 16 years without a visit to the Hawkeye State, Ohio Gov. John Kasich headed to Iowa yesterday to tout his record as governor and make the case to voters that he should be the Republican with a shot at the White House. Kasich, who appeared comfortable with the audience, spoke…Leah Jessen -
- Opinion
Texas Religious Schools Lose in Obamacare Abortion-Drug Mandate Case
Earlier this week, religious employers suffered another loss at the hands of the coercive Obamacare Health and Human Services mandate. A U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit panel ruled against East Texas Baptist University and a group of other non-profit religious employers in their challenge to the Obamacare requirement that they facilitate health…Elizabeth Slattery -
- Opinion
Exclusive: Ted Cruz on the ‘Age of Cronyism’ in Washington
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, sat down for an exclusive interview with The Daily Signal to talk about what he describes as the “age of cronyism” in Washington. From the backroom deals being made to push through President Obama’s trade agenda to the fight over the Export-Import Bank, sugar subsidies and the ongoing battle to repeal Obamacare,…Genevieve Wood -
- News
GOP Chief Deputy Whip Accuses N.C. Colleague of ‘Siding With Democrats’
Rep. Mark Meadows lost his chairmanship of a House subcommittee when he bucked party leadership last week. Now he’s taking fire from a neighboring North Carolina Republican. During an interview Wednesday on WHKY Talk Radio, GOP Chief Deputy Whip Patrick McHenry accused his North Carolina colleague of “siding with Democrats” when Meadows voted against a…Robert B. Bluey -
- News
Ted Cruz: ‘Washington Fairness’ Is ‘Hammer the Little Guy, Help the Big Guy’
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz spoke out today against the cozy relationship between lawmakers on Capitol Hill and corporations’ lobbyists, or what he calls the “Washington Cartel.” He criticized lawmakers with open “ears and wallets” for appeasing special interests while hurting U.S. taxpayers. “Let me explain to you how it works: A bill is set to…Melissa Quinn -
- Opinion
Think Millennials Are Immature? Hawaii Raising Legal Age to Smoke to 21 Won’t Help
If Hawaii wants to raise a generation of Peter Pans, they’re on the right path. Gov. David Ige, a Democrat, signed a bill Friday that bans smoking for those younger than 21. Teens and 21-year-olds can vote and can join the military but they won’t be able to light up in the Aloha State. The…Katrina Trinko -
- News
Rhode Island Hikes Minimum Wage for the Fourth Time in Four Years
Rhode Island lawmakers have approved legislation that will raise the state’s minimum wage. The Ocean State will increase its hourly wage from $9 to $9.60 starting on Jan. 1, 2016. According to NECN, the increase will be Rhode Island’s fourth minimum wage hike in four years. Gov. Gina Raimondo, D-R.I., signed the bill into law…Kate Scanlon -
- News
The Issue That May Determine Who Wins Iowa
With the race to the White House in full swing and the Iowa Caucus less than eight months away, one issue hits Iowans closer to home than most: renewable fuels. At a briefing in Washington this week, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association emphasized that exceedingly local issues like ethanol and biodiesel will play big in…Leah Jessen -
- News
California to Subsidize Health Care for Illegal Immigrant Children
A California budget deal announced this week would provide state-funded health care coverage to children living in the U.S. illegally, making the state the first in the nation to do so. The deal between Gov. Jerry Brown and legislative leaders would cover about 170,000 immigrants 18 and under and is expected to easily pass the…Natalie Johnson -
- News
California Regulation Threatens to ‘Destroy’ Uber’s Business Model
Since its inception, Uber, the breakout ride-sharing app redefining traditional taxi service, has baffled government agencies grappling with ways to regulate one of Silicon Valley’s biggest startups. The latest battle occurred this week after the California Labor Commissioner’s Office decided that Barbara Berwick, a driver for Uber, should be defined as an employee of the…Natalie Johnson