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
Newsom Grew California’s Budget by 40%—Former State Senator Says It Got Squandered
California’s budget has grown roughly 40% since Gov. Gavin Newsom took office in 2019, but a former state senator who helped oversee the budget says the governor squandered a once-in-a-generation opportunity to put the state’s finances on stronger footing. In some of Newsom’s final acts as governor, he passed a $351 billion spending budget for… -
news
New Virginia Laws Effective This Summer: What You Need to Know
Virginia’s gas tax is set to increase on July 1, and that isn’t the only new law that will take effect this summer. One of the legal changes is the implementation of a full ban on expanded polystyrene food containers. The ban applies to any food vendor that sells takeaway food, including restaurants, grocery stores,… -
news
School District Wants $40K for Records on Niqab-Wearing, Muslim High School Teacher
THE CENTER SQUARE—Georgia’s largest school district has quoted a community activist nearly $40,000 to fulfill a public records request—an estimate a First Amendment attorney calls “crazy high” and potentially out of scope. The price quote came from Gwinnett County Public Schools after Tori Branum, of Dublin, Ga., filed a formal request for personnel records and… -
news
Past, Current Ohio Republican Governors Express Disappointment in TPS Decision
On Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court handed the Trump administration a major victory with Mullin v. Doe on Temporary Protected Status. The decision will likely have a major impact on Springfield, Ohio, which has a significant Haitian population. As the court ruled in its 6-3 decision, the immigrants here on temporary status are not entitled… -
opinion
This California Disaster Didn’t Have to Happen
The Pacific Palisades fire tragedy was totally preventable. The failure to rebuild since that tragedy is inexcusable. Today, my new documentary exposes how California Gov. Gavin Newsom turned the California Dream into Newsom’s Nightmare. Under Newsom’s leadership, California has the highest poverty rate in America. Amazing places like Pacific Palisades burned to ashes because of… -
analysis
Democratic Party Must Contend With ‘Great Schism,’ Potential for ‘Serious Fracture’
Last week, Democratic Socialists of America candidates endorsed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani won big in New York, sending shockwaves over the future of the Democratic Party. Is the party in trouble? Is it time for a split? Following those wins, Democratic strategist James Carville insisted it’s time for a “great schism.” “Lady, I ain’t the… -
news
Central Ohio Data Center Will Have Its Own Power Plant
THE CENTER SQUARE—An Ohio state board has approved a natural gas-powered electric generation plant in Licking County to serve a data center, saying taxpayers and ratepayers won’t pay for power at the center. The power will be consumed by Sidecat, LLC, an affiliate of Meta Platforms, Inc., according to a news release by the Ohio… -
analysis
Virginia’s Gas Tax Increase: What Drivers Need to Know
Drivers in the commonwealth will pay more for gas beginning on Wednesday. This isn’t because of the recent legislative budget deal. It isn’t because of a war in the Middle East. It isn’t because of a pipeline shutdown. It’s because lawmakers put tax policy on cruise control years ago, and prices just keep climbing. It… -
news
Ohio Amendments Saved for November 2027
Last October, at the Daily Signal-sponsored Essential Summit hosted by the Center for Christian Virtue, a panel warned of the upcoming ballot initiatives in Ohio. One would enshrine same-sex marriage into the state constitution, while the other would apply “gender identity and expression” to the list of protected citizens. However, the group behind the initiatives… -
opinion
Oregon Has Civil Rights Problems in Education. This Congresswoman Is Trying to Distract Voters.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon is downsizing an ineffective government bureaucracy, so, naturally, progressive lawmakers are howling. The latest theatrics come from Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., who introduced articles of impeachment against McMahon last week. Bonamici’s attempt is baseless—McMahon has continued to fulfill the law while downsizing the U.S. Department of Education—which raises the question of… -
news
Georgia Preparing for Additional SNAP Costs
THE CENTER SQUARE—Georgia is prepared to incur additional administrative fees for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and its high error rate gives the state more time to begin paying part of the benefit costs, according to the Department of Human Services. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed by Congress and signed by President… -
news
NEW POLL: Maine Senate Race in Dead Heat
Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins is trailing her opponent in a new poll—but by an encouragingly slim margin. Democrats need to net four additional seats in order to gain control of the Senate. On Monday, The New York Times released a poll alongside the Portland Press Herald and Siena in which Democrat Senate nominee Graham… -
opinion
Newsom Wants the Jacobins Cheering and the Billionaires Staying
Gavin Newsom has discovered the limits of his own revolution. After the California governor’s opposition failed to keep a union-backed wealth tax off the ballot, he had to explain himself to voters he has spent years training to believe billionaires are the problem. He chose Substack. There, in the same political breath, Newsom opposed a California billionaire tax while… -
news
Firefighters Say Karen Bass Failed Them—Now They’re Taking Their Case to Voters
Los Angeles firefighters are taking fire protection into their own hands after Mayor Karen Bass cut funding to the Los Angeles Fire Department. In June 2024, Mayor Karen Bass signed the city’s 2024-2025 budget, which cut the department’s funding by $17.6 million, according to data shared by Los Angeles City Controller Kenneth Mejia. The cuts… -
opinion
‘ABSOLUTE FARCE’: Board Stacked With Mamdani Allies Passes Large-Scale Rent Freeze in New York City
“The [New York City] Rent Guidelines Board has stopped being a fact-finding body. It has become a body that starts with an answer and vibe codes its way backward to justify it.” That quote was from the resignation letter of Christina Smyth, a now-former member of the New York City Rent Guidelines Board who left… -
news
Richmond Hosts an Early Birthday Party With ‘IllumiNATION’
Virginia was at the forefront of American history back in 1776, and it remains ahead of the curve as Independence Day approaches next week. This weekend, the Virginia Museum of History & Culture is hosting a block party to honor the upcoming anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The celebration centers around “IllumiNATION,” a specially… -
exclusive
EXCLUSIVE: EPA’s Zeldin Exposes China as Top Smuggler of Dangerous Pesticides at CA Ports
LONG BEACH, Calif.—Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin on Thursday put China on notice, naming it the No. 1 source of illegal pesticide smuggling attempts into California’s ports. Appearing at an undisclosed location near the Port of Long Beach and standing in front of a table full of the illegal pesticide DDVP, Zeldin said the… -
opinion
California Demands Proof You’re LGBTQ for Contracts—but Not Proof You’re a Citizen to Vote
California has achieved something almost impossible in the annals of bureaucratic absurdity: It has made citizenship easier to assert for voting than sexual orientation is to document for favored utility contracting. To register to vote, a person fills out a form, signs an affidavit, and attests under penalty of perjury that he is a U.S…. -
news
Georgia-Based Company Adding 300 Jobs in Central Georgia
THE CENTER SQUARE—Yancey Engineered Solutions is opening a new facility in central Georgia’s Crisp County, a move state officials said would bring 300 jobs in the next few years. The jobs include welders, quality control technicians, assembly workers, and drivers, according to information provided by Gov. Brian Kemp. When asked if the company received incentives… -
opinion
250 Years Later, Charleston Celebrates Carolina Day
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, Charleston, South Carolina, marks the 250th anniversary of Carolina Day on June 28, 2026. This day commemorates the American victory at the Battle of Sullivan’s Island, the first major Revolutionary War success in South Carolina. The triumph boosted patriot morale, rallied support for independence, and helped pave the way…