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 a Chicken and a Mouse Are Stirring Debate in New Mexico
SANTA FE, N.M.—Welcome to New Mexico, where a colorful chicken and a very small mouse are causing a big ruckus. Last week, four counties in New Mexico joined in a lawsuit stemming from the U.S. Department of Interior and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listing the lesser prairie chicken as a threatened species. The announcement came…Rob Nikolewski -
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Virginia Lawmakers Block Medicaid Expansion, but Governor Vows ‘This Fight Is Far From Over’
After months of grueling debate and discord over expanding Medicaid in Virginia, Republicans got their way. The GOP-led House and Senate approved a budget that not only lacks funding to expand Medicaid but also requires General Assembly approval in the future—an attempt to block Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe from implementing the Affordable Care Act component…Kathryn Watson -
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Mississippi Named Most Corrupt State in the Nation
Mississippi has finally got a top ranking among the states. Problem is, it’s an achievement the state can do without. A study by researchers Cheol Liu from the City University of Hong Kong and Indiana University’s John L. Mikesell found corruption in Mississippi was tops among the states from 1976 through 2008. The study sized up the effect of public corruption—measured…Steve Wilson -
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California Can’t Convince Drivers to Trade in Clunkers for Cash
California is paying drivers to get their air-polluting cars off the road—and will throw in some cash to get a newer, more fuel-efficient model. But during its first year, only 21 Californians have actually gotten a new vehicle from this cash-for-clunkers-esque program. Government employees even sent out more than 12,000 letters notifying people they were eligible for…Bre Payton -
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Florida Supreme Court Rules Against Red-Light Cameras
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Opponents of red-light cameras just got a little help from some new friends—the Florida Supreme Court. But they shouldn’t get too excited. The high court ruled last week that Florida cities didn’t have the authority to use red-light cameras to ticket motorists prior to 2010, or until the state Legislature enacted laws specifically allowing them….William Patrick -
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North Dakota Tribes to Obama: Deregulate Energy
President Obama will visit Cannonball, N.D., today, home of the Standing Rock Sioux Nation, to celebrate increased cooperation between tribal and federal governments. One issue, not on the official agenda but likely on the minds of several Native Americans leaders, is federal regulation of resources and the Keystone Pipeline. While North Dakota is experiencing one…Philip Wegmann -
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Vermont Energy Project Would Reduce Heating Costs and CO2; Activists Oppose It Anyway
An energy project that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and slashes heating costs might sound like an environmental activist’s dream. But one renewable-energy group is standing in the way of just such a project in Vermont—literally. Rising Tide Vermont, a group dedicated to “dismantling systems of oppression and domination such as sexism, racism and colonialism,” seeks…Bruce Parker -
- Opinion
Was the California Teacher Tenure Decision Judicial Activism?
This week, in Vergara v. California, California Superior Court Judge Rolf Treu struck down five state laws governing teacher tenure, layoffs and dismissals as unconstitutional under the California constitution. The result of this ruling is certainly good for children in California, too many of whom are stuck in classrooms with “grossly ineffective” teachers. But was…Elizabeth Slattery -
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As Details Emerge, Hawaii Veterans Voice Outrage at VA’s Waiting Lists
HONOLULU—Veterans seeking care at the VA Medical Center here wait an average of 145 days. Perhaps more striking, some 64,000 veterans enrolled in the system for at least 10 years have yet to see a doctor, according to a Department of Veterans Affairs audit released Monday. Even before the audit, said Willes Lee, a West…Malia Zimmerman -
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Study: Texas, Utah and Idaho Rated Friendliest States by Small Business Owners
Small business owners in Texas, Utah, Idaho, Virginia and Louisiana rated their states as having the friendliest business environments, according to a study released this morning. In contrast, small businesses gave California, Rhode Island and Illinois failing grades for business viability, and those in Connecticut and New Jersey gave their states a “D.” The study—conducted…Marguerite Bowling -
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Union Vows to Appeal Teacher Tenure Ruling as California Braces for Sweeping Change
Court-ordered reform of California’s teacher tenure program won’t happen without a fight. The California Teachers Association announced plans to appeal yesterday’s landmark court decision on teacher tenure which, many say, is a victory for students. The lawsuit, Vergara v. California, aimed to strike down statutes that make it difficult for administrators to dismiss poorly performing…Mary Tillotson -
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Why One Walmart in North Dakota Is Paying $17.40 an Hour
A Walmart store in Williston, N.D., is offering to pay entry-level workers as much as $17.40 per hour—nearly 2½ times the federal minimum wage—in an effort to compete in one of America’s most dynamic labor markets. The push for a “living wage” has gained momentum in cities such as Seattle recently. But the historic oil…Philip Wegmann -
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Vermont Governor Signs Minimum Wage Hike at Bakery Unaffected by Law
MIDDLESEX, Vt.—Gov. Peter Shumlin yesterday signed a law requiring businesses in Vermont to pay workers a minimum wage of $10.50. The kicker? Shumlin, a Democrat, staged the signing at the Red Hen Baking Co., a local organic business that won’t be affected by the legislation because it has no minimum-wage workers. “[This is a time] in…Bruce Parker -
- Opinion
A Defeat for Terrible Teachers in California
It won’t be as simple from now on for ineffective California teachers to coast off to a lifetime career on easy street. In a Los Angeles Superior Court ruling today, Judge Rolf M. Treu “found five California laws governing teacher tenure, layoffs and dismissals unconstitutional,” reports Politico. “Treu found,” reporter Stephanie Simon wrote, “that the…Katrina Trinko -
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Arizona Grapples With Humanitarian ‘Disaster’ as Unaccompanied Immigrant Children Fend for Themselves
Undocumented immigrant children, some as young as 5 years old and traveling with no parent or adult, are being dropped off by the busload in Arizona as the Department of Homeland Security attempts to grapple with what is fast becoming a humanitarian disaster on our southern border. According to CNN, the federal transport of “unaccompanied…Monica Sanchez -
- Opinion
Why Florida Illegal Immigrants Should Not Receive In-State College Tuition Rates
Editor’s update: Today, Gov. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) signed legislation permitting children of illegal immigrants to receive in-state tuition rates. The commentary below was originally published May 5. On Thursday, senators in the state legislature in Florida voted to discriminate against American citizens by granting in-state tuition for Florida colleges and universities to students who are…Hans von Spakovsky -
- Opinion
How Washington Is Sneakily Implementing Cap and Trade
Critics of President Obama’s climate change regulations are often labeled by proponents as science deniers. While climate realists is a more accurate description, President Obama is clearly using denier math when he says that the Environmental Protection Agency’s carbon rules for existing power plants will drive down electricity prices. The EPA’s New Source Performance Standards…Nicolas Loris -
- Opinion
The Biggest Non-Story in Tuesday’s Elections? Mississippi Voter ID Implemented With No Problems
It wasn’t the biggest story following Tuesday’s elections in various states, but it was the biggest and most-ignored non-story. Mississippi’s new voter ID law got its first run in the June 3 primary, and the sky did not fall. Despite the tiresome and disproven claims by opponents that such laws cause wholesale voter disenfranchisement and…Hans von Spakovsky -
- News
Now There Are 3: Oklahoma, South Carolina Join Indiana in Exiting Common Core
Common Core is on the chopping block. Oklahoma today became the third state to exit the national education standards and reclaim its decision-making authority in education. The move comes on the heels of South Carolina, which days ago put an end to Common Core—setting precedent for other states to follow. South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley…Kelsey Bolar -
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Virginia DMV Attempts to Shutter Ridesharing Companies Uber, Lyft
Just when you thought you couldn’t despise the Department of Motor Vehicles any more, Virginia’s DMV decided to wage war against popular passenger carrier companies Uber and Lyft, sending cease and desist letters urging them to stop doing business in the commonwealth. The Virginia DMV, which has already fined Uber and Lyft $26,000 and $9,000,…Kathryn Watson