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
Attempted New York Bombing Calls for Renewed Vigilance Against Homegrown Terrorism
The attempted suicide bombing by Akayed Ullah in New York on Monday is the 101st Islamist plot or attack against the U.S. homeland since 9/11. While the device did not succeed in causing the destruction that Ullah wished, the U.S. must redouble its commitment to stopping terrorists before they strike. Ullah came to the U.S…. -
news
College Republicans Say Conservative Speaker Was Treated ‘Unfairly’ at Southern New Hampshire University
Conservative activist Matt Walsh came to Southern New Hampshire University at the request of the SNHU College Republicans and the Young America’s Foundation, but Walsh and College Republicans believe his speech was not treated fairly. Walsh is a conservative columnist for the Daily Wire, a news website run by Ben Shapiro. As the day of… -
news
In Upset, Doug Jones Defeats Roy Moore in Alabama
Democrat Doug Jones beat Republican Roy Moore in Tuesday’s special election in Alabama’s U.S. Senate race. Prior to the allegations of sexual misconduct Moore faced, the state was seen as an almost sure win for a Republican candidate. President Donald Trump won Alabama by almost 28 percentage points in 2016 and there has not… -
news
Latest ICE Operation Snaps Up 101 Illegal Immigrants, Mostly Criminals, in New Jersey
Federal agents arrested more than 100 foreign nationals wanted for immigration violations in a five-day operation in New Jersey, Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced Tuesday. The operation, led by ICE’s enforcement and removal division, netted a total of 101 illegal immigrants who were either criminal aliens, had illegally re-entered the country after being deported, or… -
news
Trump Ties New York Terror Attack to Immigration Reforms
President Donald Trump pointed to Monday morning’s terrorist attack in New York as a clear demonstration of the need for tougher immigration laws—specifically family-based immigration. “Today’s terror suspect entered our country through extended-family chain migration, which is incompatible with national security,” Trump said in a formal statement issued late in the day by the White… -
news
28 Photos That Take You Inside California Wildfires’ Destruction
Wildfires in Southern California aided by wind have driven 200,000 from their homes, and have forced schools throughout the area to close. The largest fire started in Santa Paula, California, on Monday, but there are now five separate fires. Here’s a glimpse into some of the destruction California is facing. L.A. officials are evacuating people near a brush fire off… -
news
Justice Kennedy: Colorado Has ‘Neither Been Tolerant nor Respectful’ of Jack Phillips’ Beliefs
During oral arguments for Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, the U.S. Supreme Court justice who is expected to cast the crucial swing vote in the historic case involving religious liberty and the First Amendment appeared to express sympathy—and even anger—for the way that Colorado has treated the petitioner, Jack Phillips. “Tolerance is essential… -
opinion
Supreme Court Justices Grill ACLU and Colorado in Christian Baker’s Case
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments Tuesday in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, a case over whether cake artist Jack Phillips can be forced by the state to design and create a cake celebrating a same-sex wedding in violation of his religious beliefs on marriage. While justices directed heated comments and tough questions… -
opinion
In Big Win for Utah, Trump Scales Back Federal Land Grab From Obama Administration
President Donald Trump took a big step on Monday to begin correcting abuses of the Antiquities Act. The president acted on his April 26 executive order to review national monument designations under the law since 1996, making his announcement in Utah, which has been the subject of sweeping national monument designations through the Antiquities Act…. -
opinion
Georgia Copyrighted Its Own Laws. Now, It’s Suing a Nonprofit Group for Publishing Them.
The state of Georgia has one, and only one, official set of laws: the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. There’s just one tiny problem for Georgia citizens who wish to know exactly what’s in the code: It will cost them hundreds of dollars to read it. Why? Because Georgia copyrighted its own code and gave… -
opinion
California Tried to Force Pro-Life Centers to Promote Abortion. Now, the Supreme Court Is Weighing In.
On Nov. 13, the Supreme Court announced it will hear arguments in a case with serious implications for free speech nationwide. In NIFLA vs. Becerra, the court will decide whether pro-life advocates must refer clients to abortion clinics or face fines, penalties, and possible closure. The basic question the court must decide is whether the… -
news
New Freedom Caucus in the Texas Legislature Seeks to ‘Amplify the Voice of the Grassroots’
Republicans in the Texas Statehouse say they dedicated a Freedom Caucus within the Legislature to advancing grassroots conservative values, and they hope the caucus will be a significant influence in the selection of the next speaker of the state House. “Texas is a bright red state, a Republican stronghold, but it has been frustrating to… -
opinion
After All These Years, Some Prohibition Laws Still Exist. Here’s How New York Is Cleaning Them Up.
The 21st Amendment ended Prohibition on Dec. 5, 1933. Still, some laws that were enacted to enforce Prohibition remain on the books, binding businesses today with antiquated red tape. Members of the New York City Council raised awareness of the problems earlier this month when they voted to repeal a Prohibition-era “cabaret law.” But there… -
news
California Judge Blocks Trump’s Sanctuary City Order
A federal judge in California blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order reducing funding for sanctuary cities Monday, limiting the administration’s ability to punish municipalities that violate federal immigration law. The permanent injunction follows a preliminary ruling, issued in April, in a suit filed by the city of San Francisco and Santa Clara County. “The Counties have demonstrated… -
news
As GOP Looks to Eliminate State Tax Deduction, New Jersey Democrat Wavers on Millionaires Tax
New Jersey is potentially holding off hiking its income tax due to the possibility of the state and local tax deduction being eliminated in the GOP tax plan, according to the president of the New Jersey Senate. “I’m actually very concerned for the people of this state if this Trump tax happens, and I think… -
news
Citing Virginia Election Losses, Conservatives Demand Congress Follow Through on Promises
Conservatives are calling for Republicans in Congress to fulfill their campaign promises by supporting President Donald Trump’s spending proposal and to not enact amnesty in a year-end deal with Democrats. A letter released Monday and signed by 44 conservative leaders explains that Virginia is “in ruins” after Republican losses at both the statewide and local… -
opinion
We Hear You: ‘High-Tax Paradises Such as New Jersey and California Better Wake Up’
Editor's note: With tax reform now in the Senate's hands following passage of a House bill to overhaul the tax code, it's a good time to review some more related thoughts of The Daily Signal's audience. Remember to write us at [email protected].—Ken McIntyre Dear Daily Signal: Regarding Rachel del Guidice's story on repealing the state… -
opinion
Louisiana Is Leading on Long-Overdue Criminal Justice Reform
Louisiana has joined the growing ranks of states that have embraced comprehensive criminal justice reform. The Pelican State passed a reform package in June 2017 with strong bipartisan support, and will pursue additional reforms over the next year. These reforms are designed to reduce recidivism, improve public safety, and invest in proven re-entry programs while… -
opinion
Watch Our Tour of the New Museum of the Bible in Washington
The Museum of the Bible opened its doors to the public on Friday, Nov. 17. We got a sneak peek when the museum’s director of content, Seth Pollinger, took us on a tour of one section of the over 400,000 square feet museum. Considering there are over 500 artifacts and biblical texts in the History of… -
news
Texas Budget to Include $20 Million for Pro-Life Options
Texas has allocated $20 million in its 2018-2019 budget to go to a pro-life program that offers alternatives to abortion and provides services to new parents. “If they’re self-sufficient through the process of childbirth and afterward, that saves the state money and makes for much happier women and children and families,” Texas Alliance for Life…