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
Pennsylvania Lawmakers Consider Giving Themselves Fewer Perks
HARRISBURG, Pa.—Rep. Brad Roae might be the most optimistic guy in the Pennsylvania Statehouse. Roae, a Republican from Crawford, Pa., has plans to push a trio of reform measures that would eliminate state cars for lawmakers, strip lawmakers’ cost-of-living increases and end per diem on weekends in some cases. They’re taxpayer-friendly ideas, but it’s uncertain…Andrew Staub -
- News
Tennessee Lawmakers Don’t Plan to Tackle Government Theft
NASHVILLE—The New Year is here and, thus far, of all the priorities Tennessee legislators have laid out for the 2015 General Assembly, none involve clamping down on government employees who steal from taxpayers. Auditors with the state Comptroller’s Office in 2014 continued to churn out audits showing that government employees who have sole access to…Chris Butler -
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Vermont State Senator Touts Universal Coverage Plan
MONTPELIER, Vt.—An outgoing Vermont state senator says the health care plan he formulated is the only one left standing after Democratic Gov. Peter Shumlin ditched his single-payer agenda in December. Peter Galbraith, a two-term state senator and former U.S. ambassador, spent the past legislative session working to provide Vermonters with universal health care. Despite his…Bruce Parker -
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Virginia Lawmakers Eye Laws to Govern Cell Phone Searches
Virginia lawmakers have some serious problems to tackle when they return to Richmond on Jan. 14. With the Jan. 6 sentencing of former Gov. Bob McDonnell fresh in their minds, lawmakers will wade through proposals to tighten rules on disclosure laws, lobbying after leaving the statehouse and gift limits. They also will have to close…Kathryn Watson -
- Opinion
Union Lawsuit Against Florida School Choice Programs Dismissed, But the Battle Continues
Hundreds of Florida parents are able to celebrate the New Year with access to school choice thanks to a decision last Tuesday to dismiss the union lawsuit against the Sunshine State’s Personal Learning Scholarship Accounts and expansion of the tax credit scholarship program. For the second time, Leon County Circuit Court Judge Charles Francis found…Brittany Corona -
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Even in Liberal Minnesota, Labor Unions Are Losing Members
Prominent media coverage of recent protests by workers targeting Twin Cities fast food outlets, Walmart and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport gave the impression of unions on the rise in Minnesota. Despite a “Week of Action” pickets last month, federal government labor statistics reveal a decade of decline for union membership in Minnesota and nationwide. “The…Tom Steward -
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Texas, Florida Republicans Step Forward as Alternatives to Boehner for Speaker
In daring moves just days before the next election for House speaker, two Republican congressman have offered themselves as alternatives to incumbent Speaker John Boehner, the party establishment’s choice. Reps. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., and Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, announced they would oppose Boehner this weekend. The Daily Signal has learned several Republicans also are weighing a…Robert B. Bluey -
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Indiana Joins Growing Number of States Pushing Civics Exam to Graduate High School
FORT WAYNE, Ind.—Hoosier lawmakers have joined a growing number of states that want your kid to take another exam. To graduate high school, students would have to pass an exam similar to the naturalization test required for immigrants to become U.S. citizens. Still a work in progress, the bill will come up for debate during…Philip Wegmann -
- News
Hawaii: Land of Sun, Sand and … Spies?
HONOLULU — With its strategic location in the Pacific and substantial military assets, Hawaii has been a prime target of foreign governments seeking U.S. intelligence. The way to stop intelligence breaches, said FBI Director James Comey during a recent trip to the 50th state, is to “know your people” and “who has access to what.”…Malia Zimmerman -
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Minnesota Businesses Score Obamacare Exemptions
Do you believe in miracles? Ask Greg Hall, whose company supplied technology and know-how that helped rescue 33 Chilean miners trapped underground for more than two months in 2010. Almost as miraculous, Hall’s American Manufacturing Co. just received a permanent federal exemption from provisions of the Affordable Care Act that contradict the Catholic deacon and businessman’s…Tom Steward -
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Why an Indiana Police Officer Created This ‘Breathe Easy’ T-Shirt
One small business is booming as the debate rages over police shootings. With a T-shirt, police officer Jason Barthel ignited a national controversy. Ten days before Christmas, the owner of South Bend Uniform Co. debuted T-shirts emblazoned with this controversial message: “Breathe Easy, Don’t Break the Law.” Barthel twisted the rallying cry of a national…Philip Wegmann -
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Why Virginia Has More Traffic Lawyers Than Any Other State
RICHMOND, Va. — In a hurry this holiday? Beware that Virginia ranks as one of the toughest states on speeders, and police are proud of it. Driving 20 mph over the speed limit qualifies as reckless driving in Virginia law. That offense is not a mere traffic citation, but a Class One criminal misdemeanor punishable…Kenric Ward -
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The Reaction to New York’s Fracking Ban
Hydraulic fracturing is now a no-no in New York state. And that has 64-year-old Marchie Diffendorf, a lifelong resident of the rural town of Kirkwood, N.Y., most unhappy. “It’s angered and upset me,” Diffendorf said. “I think it was purely political.” New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced last week that the Empire State has banned…Rob Nikolewski -
- News
‘I Wouldn’t Eat It Either’: These Wyoming Schools Abandoned Federal School Lunch Guidelines
Seven Wyoming schools have said "no" to the federal school lunch guidelines — and the money that comes with them. According to Wyoming Public Media, seven schools have decided to forego the federal standards instituted by the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act and decide what to feed their students themselves. The district’s business manager, Jeremy…Kate Scanlon -
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How New York Football Greats Salute Fallen NYPD Officers
Less than 24 hours after two New York City police officers were shot and killed in broad daylight Saturday, New York Jets player Nick Mangold and New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin publicly honored the slain officers. Mangold, a center for the Jets, sported a black NYPD baseball cap yesterday while walking into Metlife…Melissa Quinn -
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Timeout! Minnesota City Passes Moratorium on Solar Power
MONTICELLO, Minn. — Supporters of solar power say the future is bright in Minnesota, thanks to a slew of subsidies toward requiring big utilities to generate 1.5 percent of their power from solar by 2020. Despite a rush by some cities to get on the bandwagon, Monticello was the first municipality in the state to impose at…Tom Steward -
- News
Mississippi Looking to Expand Use of Police Body Cameras
Smile Mississippi, police may have you on camera. Police body cameras could work as an accountability tool for patrol officers and help protect them from false abuse complaints. Studies have backed up the advantages of using the devices, but with technology and data storage come privacy concerns. Columbus and Cleveland police already use body cameras…Steve Wilson -
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Did Unqualified Students Get Favorable Treatment at University of Texas?
Supporters of University of Texas President Bill Powers have for months worked mightily to deny or to marginalize evidence lawmakers were pulling strings to get unqualified students admitted to the university. A new trove of public records demonstrates that many of Powers’ most vocal defenders — key alumni association members, an education coalition, politicians and…Jon Cassidy -
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Taxpayers on Losing End of Government’s Lax Oversight of Florida Nonprofit
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Hilda Hall-Dennis was no stranger to nonprofit community work. Over the course of 11 years, she managed three nonprofits in South Florida. In February 2006, she launched her own nonprofit — the Business Technology Development Corp., a business incubator subsisting on government grants. The venture purportedly provided business development classes, technical assistance,…William Patrick -
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Florida Congresswoman: Other Nations’ Engagement Hasn’t Resulted in Free Cuba
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., was interviewed on Wednesday by Greta van Susteren about President Obama’s decision to normalize relations with Cuba. Ros-Lehtinen said that the president “has broken the law.” When asked if our previous policy towards Cuba had been working, Ros-Lehtinen said: Has our foreign policy been working? Well, the policy of 190 other…Kate Scanlon