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 This Iowa Principal Is Thankful for School Choice
WELLSBURG, Iowa—For this coming fall, Timothy Christian School will welcome just 45 students in kindergarten through 8th grade—the fewest to begin an academic year since the school opened in 1941. In a state where 30 entire school districts have been eliminated in the last decade and more than 4,000 have been wiped out since 1950,…Leah Jessen -
- News
Supreme Court Rejects North Carolina Appeal to Revive Mandatory Ultrasounds for Women Who Want an Abortion
The Supreme Court rejected an appeal Monday from North Carolina state officials attempting to restore a state law requiring doctors to conduct ultrasounds and describe the fetuses to women wanting an abortion. The court’s refusal left intact an appeals court decision deeming the law unconstitutional under the First Amendment for violating doctors’ free speech rights. The North…Natalie Johnson -
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Jeb Bush Touts Conservative Credentials in New Hampshire
DERRY, N.H.—Former Gov. Jeb Bush held his first town hall in New Hampshire today since he announced yesterday that he is running for president. The Florida Republican told the audience that he is extremely proud of his family and their accomplishments, but that he is his own person with a unique set of achievements and…Kate Scanlon -
- Opinion
New York Times Ignores Children of Gay Parents Who Want a Mom and Dad
The New York Times ran an article this weekend profiling and quoting many children of gay and lesbian parents under the headline “What Could Gay Marriage Mean for the Kids?” Noticeably absent were any children who, while loving their two moms or two dads, yearned for both a mom and dad. In my new book,…Ryan T. Anderson -
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Colorado Supreme Court Rules Companies Can Fire Employees for Using Marijuana
In one of the most highly watched marijuana cases in the country, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled Monday morning that companies can fire employees for smoking pot—even if it’s off-duty and despite the drug being legal in the state. The decision poses a major setback for legalization proponents, as it sets the precedent that state…Kelsey Bolar -
- Opinion
Victory for Women’s Health and Safety: Court Upholds Texas Law That Regulates Abortion Clinics, Doctors
In a victory for women’s health and safety, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday upheld a number of the provisions of a 2013 Texas law that include common sense regulations of abortion clinics and abortion doctors. Known as H.B. 2, the Texas law requires, among other things, that abortion clinics meet the same…Sarah Torre -
- Opinion
Michigan Governor Signs Bills Protecting Freedom of Adoption Agencies
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has signed into law three bills protecting the freedom of private adoption agencies to operate in accordance with their beliefs, including that children deserve a married mother and father. This is good public policy. The Michigan law comes on the same day the North Carolina legislature protected the religious liberty of…Sarah Torre -
- Opinion
N.C. Legislature Overrides Veto, Allows Government Employees to Not Do Gay Marriages
Earlier today, the North Carolina House voted to override the veto of S.B. 2, a bill that protects the religious liberty of civil servants in that state. Because the Senate had already voted to override the veto as well, the bill is now law. This is good public policy, and it is a shame that…Ryan T. Anderson -
- News
Ben Carson Tells Iowa: ‘America Is Worth Saving’
ELDORA, Iowa—Bringing a crowd to laughs and cheers, Ben Carson spoke to almost 200 people Wednesday night during an ice cream social at the rural (as in, you must drive on a gravel road to get there) Pine Lake Wildlife Club in Hardin County, Iowa. Carson, a Republican candidate for president in 2016, focused his…Leah Jessen -
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‘Devastating’ Texas Abortion Law Could Be On Road to US Supreme Court
A federal appeals court yesterday upheld a strict abortion law in Texas that critics call “devastating,” and say would shut down the majority of clinics in the state. “If permitted to take effect, the impact will be devastating for women in Texas seeking access to abortion services,” said Stephanie Toti, a lawyer for a clinic…Kelsey Bolar -
- Opinion
Let America Fix the Highways Washington Broke
Congress has a particularly bad habit of bailing out federal programs without addressing the underlying problems that caused failure in the first place. This round, we’re punting the ball on the Highway Trust Fund. However, this time is different. We have a common-sense solution to reform our nation’s transportation policy, modernize America’s outdated transportation infrastructure…Sen. Mike Lee -
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Over Coffee, Rick Santorum Tries to Recapture Iowa Success
IOWA FALLS, Iowa—During a campaign stop at a coffee shop Tuesday morning, Rick Santorum worked to recapture the Iowa success that helped spark his run for president in 2012. At the coffee shop in Hardin County, Iowa, as locals enjoyed their morning cup of joe, the former Pennsylvania senator spoke on national security, the economy…Leah Jessen -
- Opinion
New Jersey Supreme Court Allows Christie’s Cut in Pension Contributions
The Supreme Court of New Jersey ruled in a 5-2 decision today in favor of the Chris Christie administration, reversing a lower court’s ruling that found Gov. Christie’s roughly $1.6 billion cut in 2015 pension contributions violated an enforceable contractual obligation. The state’s high court ruling effectively allows that and future proposed cuts to stand….Rachel Greszler -
- Opinion
Nevada Education Accounts … Not Your Father’s School Choice Program
Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval made education reform history last week when he signed the nation’s first universal education savings account program into law. The accounts are designed to give every Nevada student who has been enrolled in public school for at least 100 days an opportunity to have an educational experience tailored to their individual needs….Lindsey Burke -
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In New Hampshire, Chris Christie Shares His Plan for Entitlement Reform
GOFFSTOWN, N.H.—Speaking at a town hall meeting tonight, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie promised to work towards entitlement reform should he become president. “Folks will tell you in politics, ‘don’t talk about that subject,’” Christie said at the event in New Hampshire. “They call it the third rail of American politics. They say, ‘don’t touch…Kate Scanlon -
- News
Florida House Rejects Medicaid Expansion
During a special session in the Florida Legislature, the state’s House of Representatives voted down a proposal last week that would have expanded the state’s Medicaid program. The state Senate overwhelmingly passed the plan just days prior. The issue created a sharp divide between the chamber’s Democrats and Republicans. Republicans, rebuking the president’s health care…Melissa Quinn -
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Rand Paul Returns to New Hampshire With an Anti-Washington Message
MANCHESTER, N.H.—Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., celebrated what he characterized as a small victory against the government’s bulk collection of metadata at the grand opening of his Manchester campaign office. “It wasn’t a complete victory, but we did send a message to the president. The court told him it was illegal, and last week Congress told…Kate Scanlon -
- News
California to Provide Free Rides Home for Drunk Lawmakers
Forget the cab fare. Intoxicated California lawmakers now can hitch a ride home at the expense of their taxpayers. In view of four lawmakers arrested over the last five years for driving under the influence, the state has hired two part-time employees who will man a 24-hour car service for senators too drunk to drive…Natalie Johnson -
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Michigan Bill Would Add to Regulations on Homeschooling
Legislation has been introduced in the Michigan Legislature that would enact stricter regulations on homeschooling in the state. The legislation follows the deaths of two Detroit children whose mother explained their absence from a traditional school by claiming they were being homeschooled. Michigan’s House Bill No. 4498 would require homeschooled students to meet in person…Kate Scanlon -
- Opinion
Nevada Becomes Fifth State to Enact Groundbreaking Education Savings Accounts
The Silver State just struck gold. Nevada has just become the fifth state to enact groundbreaking education savings accounts (ESAs), which will enable families to harness the funds that would have been spent on their children in their assigned pubic school to craft a customized education plan. The Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice earlier this…Lindsey Burke