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'Rainbow Wave' Hits Statehouses

Seven states had never elected an openly gay or transgender legislator before this year. Three of them just did in an election that substantially increased the number of LGBT lawmakers overall.

A state worker unfurls a rainbow flag in front of the Washington state Capitol.

Why States Hoping for Online Holiday Sales to Boost Budgets May Not Get Their Wish

This is the first holiday season since the U.S. Supreme Court allowed states to tax online shopping.

Offshore Wind Could Be the Next Big Breakthrough in Renewable Energy

After decades of false starts, turbines are starting to turn in several coastal states.

• Renewable Energy Is Growing Faster Than Many Experts Expected

Year of the Woman? Not So Fast.

An expert on women in politics dissects the 2018 midterms.

During Obamacare Enrollment in the Trump Era, States Face Greater Challenges

With less federal funding for outreach and advertising, and no more tax penalty for being uninsured, it's harder to convince people to sign up for health care.

Was Amazon's HQ2 Search a Waste of Time for Cities?

State and local officials devoted thousands of hours, and put other projects on hold, to lure the company.

• Why Losing Out on Amazon HQ2 Isn't So Bad for Cities
An eviction notice.

Can Paying for the Poor to Have Lawyers Actually Save a City Money?

Lawyers in Philadelphia think so. They want the city, which is suffering from an eviction crisis, to spend more on helping people fight landlords in court.

• 'There Will Be Evictions': New Smoking Ban Roils Public Housing's Oldest Residents

Federal Tax Reform Fuels Record State Spending

Budget directors are still figuring out how much of the tax law's impact on state revenues was a one-time boost.

Scott Fitzgerald

Sore Losers or Necessary Checks? Wisconsin GOP Seeks to Limit New Democratic Governor's Authority

It wouldn't be the first time lawmakers have attempted to strip a new governor of some power. But it is rare.

COMMENTARY

Why Are So Many Government Projects Late and Over Budget?

Ironically, it can happen because managers skip steps in an effort to go faster.

COMMENTARY

One Path to Cutting the Costs of Incarceration

A New York City program is showing striking success at keeping young offenders from returning to jail.

COMMENTARY

A Crisis in Motion: America's Transportation Dilemma

Federal policy, and other factors, are disrupting efforts to improve transit and forcing urban planners to make tough choices.

NEWS IN NUMBERS

164 in 35 states

People who have become ill from consuming turkey in the past year, as of Nov. 5. Health officials have yet to pinpoint the salmonella outbreak to a single source.

MORE DIGITS

Set Up to Fail? How High Schools Aren't Preparing Kids for College

Small schools and high poverty schools are putting their students at the biggest disadvantage, according to a new report.

MOST READ

  1. 1

    Sore Losers or Necessary Checks? Wisconsin GOP Seeks to Limit New Democratic Governor's Authority
  2. 2

    Tulsa Struggles to Make Amends for a Massacre It Ignored for Nearly a Century
  3. 3

    The Biggest Issues for States to Watch in 2018
  4. 4

    'The Single Biggest Risk Factor in Getting Expelled Is Being a Preschooler'
  5. 5

    What J.B. Pritzker’s Election Means for Illinois
  6. 6

    Was Amazon's HQ2 Search a Waste of Time for Cities?
  7. 7

    Who Needs a Desk? Tennessee Takes Telework to the Max

Tulsa Struggles to Make Amends for a Massacre It Ignored for Nearly a Century

The Oklahoma city's "Black Wall Street" was one of the richest African-American neighborhoods in the country. Then whites burned it to the ground.

WHO SAID THAT?

“I don’t want you to think I’m picking on you because we’re part of the master race.”

MORE QUOTES

With Election Over, Transportation Advocates Eye 2019 Battles

Supporters of additional funding for transportation have plenty of reasons to smile after last week’s elections, but that doesn’t mean they can stop worrying.

Who Needs a Desk? Tennessee Takes Telework to the Max

The state's new approach to the workplace goes far beyond traditional telecommuting. It's not only making employees and managers happier, it's saving the state millions of dollars.

'The Single Biggest Risk Factor in Getting Expelled Is Being a Preschooler'

Preschoolers are eight times, on average, more likely to get kicked out. States are starting to notice and intervene.

Does #MeToo Matter? Of 19 State Candidates Facing Accusations, Only 2 Lost

On the heels of Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s controversial confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court, these results raise questions about how alleged misconduct factors into voters’ decisions.

• Another Historic Night for Women, and Not Just in Congress
J.B. Pritzker

What J.B. Pritzker’s Election Means for Illinois

Of all the new governors, few will change the culture of their states as much as him.

First 'Pay for Success' Project for Veterans Underway

The VA is working with states and cities to use the innovative financing approach to help veterans with PTSD find gainful employment. If it's successful, the payoff for investors is big.

Democratic Socialists Rack Up Wins

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rashida Tlaib made headlines for their congressional wins. But a number of Democratic Socialists also won state-level races this election.

The Man of Tomorrow: As Jerry Brown Leaves Office, He's Still Focused on the Future

Unlike most politicians, California's outgoing governor has made planning ahead a staple of his leadership -- even if it means going against his own party.

Liberals Prevail in State Supreme Court Elections

Moderate-to liberal candidates won in five states, while conservatives were successful in two.

• Amid Supreme Court Impeachments, West Virginia Voters Weaken Judges' Power