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
GOP White House Hopefuls Welcome Israeli Leader’s Washington Visit
A much-anticipated speech by Israel’s prime minister to a joint meeting of Congress on the nuclear threat posed by Iran gave prospective Republican candidates for president an opportunity, and many of them took it. By the time Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu begins his address today at 11 a.m. EST (about 6 p.m. in Israel), these White House…Ken McIntyre -
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Should Wisconsin Pass a Right-to-Work Law? These 2 Charts Explain the Debate.
Some Wisconsinites are pushing for a right-to-work bill in their state capitol this week, in hopes to have their state join 24 others in making union dues voluntary. Though union membership rates have steadily dropped since the 1950s, the bill is drawing a heated debate. Tuesday morning, supporters and opponents of right-to-work laws testified before…Kelsey Lucas -
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Texas Attorney General ‘Very Confident’ Courts Will Side With States in Fight Over Obama Immigration Policy
As lawmakers in Congress struggle to find agreement in their fight to undo President Obama’s immigration policy, a state attorney general today voiced confidence in the courtroom battle over the executive actions. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton called the Obama administration “disingenuous” and “devious” for appealing a federal judge’s order halting the president’s executive actions…Josh Siegel -
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Illinois Republican Introduces Bills Aimed at Protecting Taxpayers from the IRS
In the aftermath of the targeting scandal at the Internal Revenue Service, one Republican lawmaker is working to protect taxpayers from the agency’s intrusive practices. Rep. Peter Roskam of Illinois, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Oversight subcommittee, reintroduced two bills today aimed at ensuring taxpayers’ rights, The Daily Signal has learned. The…Melissa Quinn -
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How One Nebraska Woman Lost Her Health Insurance Three Times Under Obamacare
Dec. 26, 2014, was strike three for Pamela Weldin. The day after Christmas, Weldin, of Minatare, Neb., had logged on to Facebook to find a message from a friend of hers. Included in the note was a link to an article from the Omaha World-Herald announcing that CoOportunity Health, a nonprofit health insurance company offering plans…Melissa Quinn -
- Opinion
Why Washington Shouldn’t Control Transportation Decisions
Predictably, President Barack Obama’s 2016 budget request calls for higher taxes to partially finance a $4-trillion spending tsunami. One of the more senseless tax hikes would fall on multinational businesses and is sought to pay for a transportation budget more lavish than necessary. It’s baffling why Obama would propose this tax on businesses’ foreign income,…Emily Goff -
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Utah Plan Would Force Out-of-State Online Retailers to Collect State Sales Tax
Utah is considering legislation that would mandate out-of-state online retailers to collect Utah sales taxes or obtain a license to continue selling their products in the state. Utah state Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo, the incoming president of the National Conference of State Legislatures, supports bill, arguing that online retailers should have to collect the same…Kate Scanlon -
- Opinion
Illinois Governor Ends Forced Union Dues for State Employees
Go big or go home. That must be newly elected Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s motto. A week ago the Republican governor announced his support for local right-to-work zones. Then on Monday, he signed an executive order making union dues voluntary for state government employees. He also filed a preemptive legal challenge that could make it…James Sherk -
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Scott Walker Calls for Major Changes at University of Wisconsin System
MADISON, Wis.—More than 35,000 public employees would be removed from state government rolls if Gov. Scott Walker’s budget proposal stays intact through the legislative process. Walker’s 2015-17 budget proposal, which was introduced Tuesday, makes major changes to the operation of the state’s University of Wisconsin System. The second-term governor’s plan would split off the system…Nick Novak -
- Opinion
Washington Might Not Be Pushing Tax Cuts, But Republican Governors Are
While the prospects for tax reform in Washington are dim, as many as 20 Republican governors are moving forward with their own pro-growth tax-relief initiatives. This is on top of the 14 states, including Florida, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin, whose 2014 tax cuts will take effect this year. Arizona’s new Gov. Doug Ducey says his…Stephen Moore -
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South Carolina Finds a Way Around Federal Nutrition Standards to Allow Student Bake Sales
South Carolina student groups looking to raise money should get out their baking supplies. Schools in the state will soon be able to apply for waivers to sell food that isn’t in compliance with federal nutrition standards in order to facilitate fundraising. South Carolina’s State Education Superintendent Molly Spearman announced in a statement that the…Kate Scanlon -
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Indiana Gov. Mike Pence Gets Plum Spot at Conservative Gathering
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, who is high on the list of dream White House candidates for some conservatives, has grabbed a prime speaking slot at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, convening later this month outside Washington, D.C. The Daily Signal has learned that Pence will be the keynote speaker at CPAC’s Ronald Reagan Dinner on…Ken McIntyre -
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Border Patrol Union Leader Blasts Washington: ‘We’re in the Middle of Political Football’
A union leader for U.S. Border Patrol agents spoke out today to voice concern about the political haggling over funding for the Department of Homeland Security. “We don’t want our border left unguarded,” says @Shawn_Moran Shawn Moran, vice president for the National Border Patrol Council, says the congressional showdown over President Obama’s executive actions and…Josh Siegel -
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Today Is ‘Chris Kyle Day’ in Texas
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared today “Chris Kyle Day” in Texas to honor the veteran whose story is the basis of the box-office hit “American Sniper.” “He’s an American hero. He had the guts to stand up and defend this country,” Abbott told Fox News, defending his decision to recognize the Iraq War veteran. Watch…Ben Smith -
- Opinion
California Supreme Court Attempts to Ban State Judges From Volunteering with Boy Scouts
Last week, the California Supreme Court voted to bar any California state judge from belonging to youth organizations that “invidiously discriminate,” apparently with the Boy Scouts of America in mind. This policy is the latest example of ideologues using government coercion to force public servants to conform their private lives to government ideology—or resign from…Ryan T. Anderson -
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How Much Will Chris Christie’s White House Bid Cost New Jersey Taxpayers?
As his first official step in a likely run for the White House, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has formed a political action committee to raise money, hire a staff and fund his campaign trips. For New Jersey taxpayers, the bad news will be an increase in Christie’s out-of-state political sojourns and the cost of…Mark Lagerkvist -
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New York City Proposal Would Outlaw Overnight Parking for Out-of-State Cars
Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. But parking your tires, your Ford or your Honda with a Massachusetts license plate on the streets of New York City overnight certainly won’t be free. At least that’s the idea behind a proposal to ban overnight parking for out-of-state cars in…Eric Boehm -
- Opinion
Obama’s Drilling Ban in Alaska Isn’t About Saving Polar Bears. It’s About His Radical Agenda
It was just recently that President Obama took credit for falling gas prices in his State of the Union address, and already he is sticking another knife in the back of America’s domestic oil and gas producers — to say nothing of the residents of Alaska. Obama’s latest anti-fossil-fuels directive is to move off-limits to…Stephen Moore -
- News
Wisconsin Treasurer Fulfills Campaign Pledge by Laying Off Staff
MADISON, Wis.—Newly elected state Treasurer Matt Adamczyk ran on a campaign pledge of cutting 80 percent from a $545,000 annual budget. A few weeks into his first term, he has, through layoffs, already gotten rid of his two-member staff. Adamczyk also declined to fill an empty deputy treasurer position that was paying close to $107,000 a year in salary…Adam Tobias -
- News
Kentucky County Sees Instant Impact of Right-to-Work Law
Six weeks ago, a Kentucky county passed a right-to-work ordinance in hopes of attracting new businesses. It already appears to be working. Warren County, Ky., adopted the countywide right-to-work ordinance on Dec. 19, after it became clear the state wasn’t going to move in that direction. Right-to-work laws prevent unions from having workers fired for…Ben Smith