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
Not Even in Vermont Does Money Grow on Trees
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., may have taken his state tourism commissioner’s statement to NPR that “money falls from trees [in the fall],” a bit too literally. During a House-Senate conference meeting to resolve differences in competing veterans reform legislation this week, Sanders suggested that “emergency funding” would act as a “pay for” for potentially $50… -
news
Humanitarian Crisis on the Border: Genevieve Wood Discusses Her Trip to South Texas
Thousands of illegal immigrants, predominantly unaccompanied minors from Central America, have flooded across the Texas border, “creating a humanitarian and security crisis.” Genevieve Wood, senior contributor to The Daily Signal, discusses her recent trip to McAllen, Texas, where she witnessed the situation firsthand. -
news
1,000,000 Barrels a Day and Growing: Oil Production Skyrockets in North Dakota
North Dakota has drilled its way into the record books, producing more than a million barrels of oil a day. Fueled by the energy revolution in the Bakken Oil Fields, North Dakota now supplies 12 percent of the nation’s total oil production. According to the state’s Department of Mineral Resources, in the month of April,… -
news
Massachusetts City Is Latest to Wage War on Ride-Sharing Services
Officials in Cambridge, Mass., are going to war with ride-on-demand services in the name of protecting the public. The new rules being considered by the Cambridge Licensing Commission would prohibit users from requesting a ride-on-demand service from anything other than a taxi company and would set a limit of $50 as the minimum price for… -
news
Ted Cruz Urges Obama Administration to Let Texas Handle Its Border Security Crisis
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has stepped up efforts in his campaign to #MakeDCListen. Cruz sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security yesterday asking the administration to allow Texas to secure its border during the present “humanitarian crisis.” In the letter, Cruz referred Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson to Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s… -
opinion
Texas Won’t Wait on Washington to Secure the Border
Texas officials won’t wait on the federal government to secure their southern border with Mexico. Thousands of illegal immigrants, predominantly children from Central America crossing without their parents or other adult relatives, have flooded in to McAllen and other south Texas communities in recent weeks, creating a humanitarian and security crisis. In a letter to the… -
opinion
The Latest Allegations in Wisconsin Are Much Ado About Nothing
Today’s revelations about local prosecutors’ claims that Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker “was at the center of an effort to illegally coordinate fundraising among conservative groups” in a “criminal scheme” are much ado about nothing. Why? Because federal district court Judge Rudolph Randa already enjoined the prosecutors’ investigation, saying they were trying to criminalize the political… -
news
‘We Want Out’: Bobby Jindal Pulls Louisiana From Common Core
“We want out of Common Core.” With that pronouncement, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal yesterday delivered a clear message to state residents. On the heels of similar moves by Indiana, Oklahoma, and South Carolina, Jindal acted to make the Bayou State the fourth state to exit the national education standards known as Common Core. Bypassing the… -
news
Marriage, Family, Faith Move Front and Center in Washington
Two major events centered on traditional values converge tomorrow in Washington: the Road to Majority conference and the March for Marriage. Let’s start with the March for Marriage: The rally brings together thousands of grassroots activists on Capitol Hill. They come to stand for marriage as it has traditionally and historically been defined — between a… -
opinion
California Diminishes Union Power in Schools
Teachers unions—already experiencing a drop in membership and public sentiment— took another large blow last week when Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Rolf M. Treu struck down five California laws that govern the hiring and firing of teachers. The decision, Vergara v. State of California, will significantly diminish the influence of unions over personnel decisions… -
news
Even Among Democratic Lawmakers, Support Grows for School Choice in Louisiana
Only 8,700 students rely on Louisiana’s state public scholarship program to attend the school of their choice today, but the state’s lawmakers worked this session to expand options for additional children. The state legislature passed three school-choice bills pass this year, including a new public school choice program and modifications to existing programs. Gov. Bobby… -
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… -
news
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… -
news
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… -
news
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… -
news
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…. -
news
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… -
news
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… -
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… -
news
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…