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
Why the Washington Post Is Right to Oppose Legalized Pot in D.C.
In a refreshing move, The Washington Post came out against legalizing pot in the District of Columbia in an editorial this weekend. The Post supported the decriminalization of marijuana when it was on the ballot a few years back, but draws the line at outright legalization – which is what’s on the ballot this November… -
news
Blood Testing Could Be in Store for Mississippi Drivers at DUI Checkpoints
Over Labor Day weekend, the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol ran a no-refusal DUI checkpoint in Oxford, home of the University of Mississippi. In a no-refusal checkpoint, a driver who refuses a sobriety test — either a breath test or a standard field sobriety test — could be compelled to undergo a blood test. A judge… -
news
Virginia School Bans Chapstick
A school board in Virginia got an earful from one of its students last week over its ban on lip balm. Last winter, Grace Karaffa, a student in Augusta County, was told by her teachers she was not allowed to bring lip balm to school or to wear it while in the building because of… -
opinion
Not So Fast: ISIS Crossing Texas-Mexico Border Not a Serious Concern
Today Texas Sheriff Gary Painter warned about the possibility that ISIS terrorists could cross the Texas-Mexico border. Painter told Fox News that close to the border people had found “Muslim clothing” and copies of the Qu’ran. “So we know that there are Muslims that have come across and been smuggled in the United States,” he… -
news
Feds Have No Idea the Extent of SNAP Fraud, Says Iowa Official
DES MOINES, Iowa — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is sure the U.S. Department of Agriculture is doing a great job fighting fraud committed by people receiving benefits in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Wendy Dishman disagrees. Dishman is the administrator of the Investigative Division of the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, which has… -
opinion
Why Hispanics Thrive in Texas, But Not in California
The world provides us with countless case studies on the relative merits of free markets and central planning. In Asia and Europe we have seen the controlled experiments of the Koreas and the two postwar Germanys, admittedly extreme examples. In South America, we have consistently successful Chile and perennially chaotic Argentina. In this country, we… -
opinion
Wisconsin Is Treating Conservatives Like a Banana Republic Would
Oral arguments were heard Tuesday before the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in O'Keefe vs. Chisholm, the so-called John Doe investigation in which local prosecutors in Wisconsin tried to criminalize political speech and activity on public issues. The 7th Circuit should uphold the lower court decision halting this Star Chamber investigation that violated basic… -
news
Vermont Schools Ban Brownies, Replace Them With Kale
It’s a best-seller at bake sales, a king of American confections, even a mandatory munchie of marijuana users. But the iconic chocolate brownie, that perfect blend of cake and cookie, is banned in Vermont schools. In its place are new hoped-for kid favorites such as fruit shish kabob, kale and even gluten-free paleo lemon bars…. -
opinion
Federal Court: Ohio Can’t Ban Saying Lies About Candidates
On Thursday, a federal court in Ohio struck down a state criminal law banning “false statements” about candidates for office. Under the law, anyone could lodge a complaint with the Ohio Elections Commission (the “truth squad”) alleging someone made a false statement during the course of an election. If the commission found probable cause, then… -
news
Bishop Who Led Prayer After Cruz Heckling Says Texas Senator ‘Came Out Slugging’
After Sen. Ted Cruz was booed off the stage at a gathering of Middle Eastern Christians for making pro-Israel comments, a New York bishop stood before the frantic audience to lead a prayer for him. In an interview with The Daily Signal today, Bishop Gregory Mansour of the Maronite Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn said he… -
news
Controversial Sex Education Program Reinstated in Hawaii Public Schools
HONOLULU — Hawaii’s State Department of Education will reinstate the controversial “Pono Choices” sex education curriculum, but the program for middle school students will include some key revisions after pressure from parents and lawmakers. The curriculum, developed by the University of Hawaii Center on Disability Studies, set off a firestorm over the last year. Some… -
news
Obamacare Premiums in Nebraska to Rise by 11 Percent
LINCOLN, Neb. — Premiums for Obamacare health insurance plans sold in Nebraska will go up nearly 11 percent next year — one of the biggest hikes in the nation — according to preliminary rates released by the state’s insurance department. Nebraska experienced some of the biggest premium hikes in the nation for people buying their… -
news
How an Anti-Religion Group Convinced a Florida School District to Ban Team Chaplains
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Florida’s fourth-largest public school district is cracking down on religious expression at sporting events. Orange County Public Schools in Orlando has banned team chaplains, signs with Bible references and religious-oriented phrases from appearing on student-athlete clothing. It also prohibited religious music on game tapes. The new policies aren’t a response to complaints from parents… -
news
Government’s ‘Secret’ Land-Use Restriction Threatens Florida Couple’s Seafood Restaurant
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—For Robert and Anita Breinig, the Flash Beach Grille is more than a building. To them, the seafood restaurant and catering business in Hobe Sound, Fla., is the culmination of years of hard work and represents their slice of the American dream. “We started as a mobile caterer. We used garages as kitchens for… -
news
Report: Virginia Taxpayers Will Pay $20,000 Per Undocumented Student
RICHMOND, Va.— Virginia classrooms this school year will include as many as 2,800 new undocumented children, who will cost state taxpayers $54 million. The cost for school-eligible children who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border and have been released in Virginia—often to extended family members—is among the highest per-capita in the nation, according to the Federation for… -
news
‘Horrific, Hellish and Awful’: Ohio Man Treats Ebola in Africa, Helps Save U.S. Aid Workers
Dr. Kent Brantly, the American doctor infected with Ebola while working in West Africa, only saw Tim Mosher’s eyes. As part of his mission in Liberia with the nonprofit aid group Samaritan’s Purse, Mosher treated Brantly, a colleague whom he had never formally met but whose life he was now helping save. With six or… -
opinion
It’s Time to End Cronyism in Washington. Let’s Begin With the Export-Import Bank.
It’s unfortunate that while we’re faced with so many critical issues like ISIS terrorists and unsecure borders, Washington is instead focused on delivering special favors to Wall Street lobbyists. The Export-Import Bank is an unfair corporate welfare bank that helps a privileged few at the expense of other American businesses. Americans are tired of politicians taking… -
news
State Supreme Court to Decide if Washington Will Allow Charter Schools
Washington state’s Supreme Court will determine whether charter schools will be allowed in the state. A hearing is scheduled in October. The charter school law, approved by Washington state voters in 2012, allows for about 40 charter schools to open during the next five years. This fall, the private school First Place will be the… -
news
Iowa Not Sure How Many People Got Extra Unemployment Benefits by Accident
DES MOINES, Iowa — Bureaucrats at Iowa Workforce Development admit they don’t know how many people were paid extra unemployment benefits in March, nor can they say whether any of the overpayments were handed back to the state. Exactly 85 people contacted the agency to report receiving extra unemployment benefits, so IWD officials claim the… -
opinion
How New York’s New Gun Control Law Is Working Out (Hint: Not Great)
Which state has the largest National Rifle Association chapter in the nation? No, it’s not Texas. As a matter of fact, it’s not located anywhere near the Wild West or the south. The answer is New York. In just one year, the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association saw its membership almost double –…