Josh Goodman

Recent Articles

• How Close Was Texas to Redistricting Reform?
• Jul 30, 2010
• As State Senator Jeff Wentworth tells it, Texas would have placed a bipartisan commission in charge of congressional redistricting -- a move that could have been the difference between a Republican and Democratic House of Representatives after the 2012 elections -- if it weren't for the sense of legislative courtesy of a single state senator. It makes a great story, but is it true?
• 1 Comments

• The 'Chris Christie' Way
• Jul 30, 2010
• New Jersey's new governor has a take-no-prisoners style, but there are signs he is learning the art of the deal.
• 4 Comments

• Running in the Shadow of Spitzer, Cuomo
• Jul 30, 2010
• Will New York's next attorney general embrace his predecessors or blaze her own path?

• American States That Might Have Been
• Jul 30, 2010
• The strange history of states that never were, and their arbitrary borders.

• NYC Experiments with Bus Rapid Transit
• Jul 30, 2010
• The Big Apple needs some serious help to make city buses be a faster, more reliable method of transportation.
• 1 Comments

• Rhode Island's Slots Subsidy
• Jul 30, 2010
• Some state officials insist financially helping the Twin River Casino would be a smart move.

• Term Limits: "Freshmen and Lame Ducks"
• Jul 29, 2010
• Do term limits create lame-duck lawmakers who are disengaged from governing?
• 1 Comments

• For Arizona Democrats, "Crazy" Times
• Jul 28, 2010
• With Republicans in complete control of the state, Arizona has become a focal point for conservative policy experimentation. How does it feel to be a disempowered Democrat?
• 2 Comments

• Redistricting: Will Rural Interests in Texas Be Devastated?
• Jul 28, 2010
• Texas' suburbs and exurbs are some of the fastest growing places in the country. Many of its rural counties are shrinking. Does that mean rural interests will lose political clout when the lines are redrawn?
• 1 Comments

• Sam Brownback's Difficult Decision on Medicaid Funding
• Jul 27, 2010
• So far, Kansas Senator Sam Brownback is opposing extended state aid for Medicaid, even though approving the money would make life easier for future Kansas Governor Sam Brownback.
• 1 Comments

• Why Kansas Raised Taxes
• Jul 27, 2010
• Kansas is a conservative state with a Republican-controlled legislature. Nonetheless, this year lawmakers approved a temporary sales tax increase. Why did Kansas raise taxes? Senate President Steve Morris makes the case that his state didn't have any other choice.
• 1 Comments

• Redistricting: Why States Won't Let the Public Draw Maps Online
• Jul 27, 2010
• Most states aren't likely to offer a Web-based system for members of the public to draw their own congressional and legislative maps. The reason isn't disinterest or fear of public involvement. It's money.

• Redistricting: Should Computers Draw the Lines?
• Jul 26, 2010
• Traditionally, state legislators are in charge of congressional and legislative redistricting. Many reformers want people with less of a stake in the outcome to draw the lines. Could it be that both sides are wrong? Why have people do the hard work -- why not have computers do it?
• 8 Comments

• Michigan Senate: The Term Limits Twist
• Jul 23, 2010
• In the 38-member Michigan Senate, at least 29 of the members will be freshmen in January as a result of term limits. What are the implications of that? Perhaps less than you might expect.
• 2 Comments

• John Oxendine and the Failings of Republican Frontrunners
• Jul 22, 2010
• Georgia Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine was expected to be the Republican nominee for governor. He finished fourth in the primary. But, he can take a small measure of solace that it's been a rough year for Republican frontrunners in other states too.