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
Judge Blocks New York’s Ban on Guns in Church—for Now
A federal judge last week stopped New York state officials from enforcing the part of a new gun law that bans firearms from places of worship, at least temporarily. The Oct. 20 ruling is a small but important Second Amendment victory for New Yorkers and advocates of self-defense in a state that largely has been…Nicole Russell -
- News
Lawmakers Want to Know Why Pennsylvania Sent Out 240,000 Unverified Ballots
Almost a quarter of a million ballots were mailed to Pennsylvania voters without verifying their identity, state lawmakers say in a letter seeking answers from the state’s top election official. “According to the data, as of Oct. 21, 2022, a staggering 240,000 ballots are ‘NOT VERIFIED,’” 15 Republicans in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives write…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
Oklahoma National Guard Deepens Strategic Engagement With Azerbaijan
The U.S. National Guard’s State Partnership Program pairs state National Guards with America’s willing partners around the globe and advances practical engagement with them. For 20 years, Oklahoma’s partnership with the republic of Azerbaijan is one of the prominent examples of the program. The Oklahoma National Guard and Azerbaijan have been partners under the Department…Anthony B. Kim -
- News
Colorado Governor’s Carbon Tax Idea Could Cost Over $42 a Gallon at Pump, Analysis Finds
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, has gained national acclaim from some center-right pundits for proposing the elimination of his state’s income tax. However, the Colorado Constitution requires a balanced budget, and the governor has proposed only an undefined carbon or pollution tax to fill the $12 billion revenue hole, which could lead to paying…Fred Lucas -
- News
New York Supreme Court Reinstates Unvaccinated Employees With Back Pay: ‘It Was About Compliance’
A New York judge ordered Monday that Department of Sanitation employees terminated for refusing to get vaccinated be reinstated to their full employment status, writing that the vaccination mandate for city employees was "not just about safety and public health; it was about compliance." Judge Ralph J. Porzio wrote in his ruling that if the…Mary Margaret Olohan -
- News
‘Every State Needs to Pass a Law’ Like This, Detransitioner Says of Arkansas SAFE Act
Two men and one woman who underwent experimental medical interventions in pursuit of a transgender identity told The Daily Signal that they support Arkansas’ Save Adolescents From Experimentation Act, arguing that it is necessary to protect children from the horrors they themselves experienced. The SAFE Act prohibits anyone from performing controversial transgender medical interventions on…Tyler O’Neil -
- Opinion
Rhode Island Priest Rebukes Public School for Pornographic Books in Library
When the public high school in Westerly, Rhode Island, made available to students two books with pornographic content, the Rev. Giacomo Capoverdi sprang into action with more than a dozen other pastors. The books—“Gender Queer” and “Fun Home”—are not appropriate for high school students, according to a letter 14 clergy wrote to The Westerly Sun…Robert B. Bluey -
- News
New California Laws Will Create ‘Ideological Purity Test’ for Police by Banning Ties to ‘Hate’ and ‘Bias,’ Critics Say
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, has signed two bills into law that will limit who is eligible to become a peace officer, even as many cities across the Golden State struggle with police shortages. Critics say the new laws will create an "ideological purity test," preventing some conservatives and Christians from joining already-strapped police…Tyler O’Neil -
- News
Democratic Candidate for Oregon Governor Turns on Ally Over Homelessness Crisis
One Democrat is accusing her fellow Democrat and ally of failing to address the homelessness crisis is Oregon. “Nearly three years ago, I called for a homelessness state of emergency here in our state,” Oregon Democrat gubernatorial candidate Tina Kotek said during a debate Wednesday, adding that outgoing Democrat Gov. Kate Brown “did nothing.” Brown previously…Virginia Allen -
- News
Texas Lawmaker Predicts Election Audits Will Become as Popular as Voter ID
A Texas state senator who championed legislation to establish election audits in the Lone Star State says he anticipates such audits will become as commonplace and accepted as voter ID. When he traveled to Washington in 2006 to testify in support of voter ID before the House Administration Committee, the hearing room filled up “because…Fred Lucas -
- News
‘I Had No Power Over My Kids’ Education,’ Maryland Mom Says After Asking to Opt Her Second Grader Out of LGBT Lessons
An elementary school just outside the nation’s capital touted Gay Pride Month and defined words such as “transgender” in a video sent to students. A middle school in the same school system displays pride flags and “LGBTQ+ stories” in class. A local mom, who wishes to remain anonymous but whom The Daily Signal will refer…Gillian Richards -
- News
‘I Will Take This as Retaliation’: Another Vermont Father Says School District Is Punishing Him for Speaking Out Against Biological Male in Girls’ Locker Room
Another Vermont parent has told The Daily Signal that he believes the school district is punishing him for speaking out against a biological male using the girls’ locker room. John Helfant is one of the volunteer coaches of the Randolph Union High School girls’ varsity soccer team, he said in a Wednesday phone interview. He…Mary Margaret Olohan -
- News
Chicago Requires COVID-19 Vaccinations for Election Workers During Early Voting
Chicago is requiring proof of a COVID-19 vaccination for election workers at early voting sites, but the move won’t affect poll watchers on Election Day, the city’s election board says. The requirement is “contradictory, arbitrary, and downright silly,” said Carol Davis, chairman of the Illinois Conservative Union. Davis noted that rumors are flying and she…Fred Lucas -
- News
Vermont School District Suspends Father of Girl Who Pushed Back Against Biological Male in Her Locker Room
A Vermont school district under fire for allowing a biologically male student to use the girls’ locker room has suspended a father from his position as soccer coach for using male pronouns to refer to the trans-identifying student. Travis Allen has been suspended without pay from his job as the Randolph Union Middle School girls…Mary Margaret Olohan -
- News
‘Massive Fiduciary Breach’: Missouri Pulls $500M Worth of Pension Funds From BlackRock’s Control
Missouri State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick announced on Tuesday that the state’s pension fund is selling all of its assets that are managed by BlackRock, a move that will divest up to $500 million from the asset manager. The Missouri State Employees’ Retirement System is withdrawing its assets from BlackRock’s control because the state believes that…Jack McEvoy -
- Opinion
Washington Post Worries That America Has Too Many Catholic Hospitals
The Washington Post published a story on Monday that carried the following headline: “Spread of Catholic hospitals limits reproductive care across the U.S.” What did the newspaper mean by the euphemistic term “reproductive care”? It meant, among other things, terminating a human life. The subhead to the story said: “Religious doctrine restricts access to abortion…Terence Jeffrey -
- News
Election Watchdog Probes Colorado Offer of Voter Registration to 30,000 Noncitizens
An election watchdog group is seeking more information about why Colorado sent 30,000 postcards to noncitizens, inviting them to register to vote. Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold admitted Monday that her office sent out the notices and called it an error that she is trying to address. The Public Interest Legal Foundation announced Wednesday that…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
Surprise! New York Times Discovers Biden’s a Liar—but Soft-Pedals It
The New York Times is signaling that it’s not wild about Joe Biden running for president again. Suddenly, it announced his statements are routinely unfactual. He’s a habitual liar. Why is this discovery emerging now? The online headline of its Oct. 11 story was: “Biden, Storyteller in Chief, Spins Yarns That Often Unravel.” The subtitle:…Tim Graham -
- News
Texas Rancher Invites Biden to Visit Besieged Border and ‘See It for Yourself’
DEL RIO, Texas—Bouncing along in an all-terrain vehicle, Laura Allen drove over cacti and dense shrubbery on her 16,000-acre ranch bordering Mexico. She had spotted a large group of vultures and wanted to know what had attracted their attention. Scavenger birds gather around dead animals and dead humans, Allen told The Daily Signal, explaining that she is concerned…Virginia Allen -
- News
Firebombed Wisconsin Pro-Life Center Has Not Heard From FBI Since May
A Wisconsin pro-life organization set ablaze and vandalized with the message “If abortions aren’t safe, then you aren’t either” says it has not communicated with the Federal Bureau of Investigation about the horrifying attack since May, when the attack originally occurred. Wisconsin Family Action, the 501(c)(4) arm of Wisconsin Family Council, said earlier this year…Mary Margaret Olohan