State and Local Politics and Policy
It’s especially hard to get low-income Americans living in multifamily buildings across the digital divide. But states and nonprofits are finding ways to do it.
With confidence in election outcomes at an all-time low, where is the evidence that election officials have used their authority to interfere with America’s democratic process?
The cost of fuel and food items used on a daily basis to help vulnerable New Yorkers has skyrocketed from a year ago, including beef, chicken, eggs and all cleaning products.
The governor frames his position on gender and identity as a response to a movement on the left to rethink gender and sexuality and promote those views to children. His stance has gained national attention.
The pilot mental health program launched last fall in the city and region has helped many people, but restrictions on availability and a lack of providers the teams are able to work with has reduced its effectiveness.
Wanda Vázquez allegedly accepted donations in excess of $300,000 to her political campaign in exchange for favors to a bank executive on the island.
Inside politics: Key governor contests are set with abortion as the central issue; a defense of state Senates puts the focus on Nebraska; and, once again, a big number of legislators are facing no competition in elections.
There are time-tested and newer interventions that have a track record of success. All of them are within the power of local officials and policymakers.
The Florida county’s election supervisor, Alan Hays, has claimed that the county’s Republican Party and other groups have perpetuated “outright lies” of voter fraud during the 2020 elections and claims intended to cast doubt on mail voting.
Ohio gubernatorial candidate Nan Whaley has weaponized the anniversary of the 2019 Oregon District mass shooting to highlight Gov. Mike DeWine’s inaction against gun violence. DeWine criticized Whaley’s politicization of the anniversary.
A meetup that was intended to showcase farming issues quickly dissolved into a forum in which top state Republicans voiced concern over a Democrat-proposed measure that, Republicans fear, would place financial strain on farmers and families.
It can happen anywhere, and it will fall to the mayor to be the “communicator in chief,” setting the tone for the traumatized community’s immediate response and long-term recovery. The time to prepare is now, and resources are available.
The law includes a “parity” provision that mandates insurance companies cover mental health services the same as they do physical care. But many residents may not know of the change and continue to pay out-of-pocket for covered treatment.
Half a decade after it first proposed the rule, the federal government could soon require states to set targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. But questions remain about its impact.
Clickbait headlines aside, there's little evidence that most Americans expect that it will take violence to settle our differences. And there's plenty of evidence that most favor compromise, common ground and progress.
The Assembly voted 9-3 to overturn Mayor Dave Bronson’s veto of a measure that adds a process for removing a mayor from office into the city code. Bronson opposed the measure and likened it to a “coup” and an attack on the office of the mayor.
Two states are leading the way in training and accountability guidance and policies aiming to prevent tragedy and trauma. Arrest should be viewed as the least desirable outcome.
The State Board of Elections voted unanimously to certify the Green Party as an official political party, but the deadline for new candidates was July 1; now a court order or legislative action is the last way for the party to be on the ballot.
The legislation, which responds to the Supreme Court ruling last month that struck down a New York gun control law, prohibits a person from receiving a license to carry a firearm if there is reliable or credible risk of public safety.
In a typical year, voters are prevented from changing their political party affiliation between Feb. 14 and seven days after the June primary date; but due to a complicated redistricting process, voters can change parties, even on primary day.
Kansans have seen a long history of battles over abortion. The question may be settled on Tuesday, when voters could approve an amendment that would allow a ban.
The bill signed into law on Thursday, July 28, allows that sexual assault can be considered a crime without physical force or threats, and reduces the maximum time allowed for rape kit processing.
Mecklenburg County election officials were not expecting as high of a turnout because the election, which was originally scheduled to take place last November, was held in the middle of summer.
A poll from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution found that 42 percent of likely voters were more inclined to vote for a candidate who wants to protect abortion rights and about 55 percent said they disagree with the state’s new abortion law.
Though a large share of the country’s clean electricity comes from nuclear power plants, states have made plans to retire them. But as they set steeper emission targets, many are reconsidering the role of nuclear energy.
When partisans include independents in their networks, they’re less likely to live in alternative media realities and more likely to moderate their views, a new study suggests. There’s a role for elected officials and the media in bringing independents into the conversation.
The site called the Capitolist, positioned as an independent source of news and which aimed its content directly at statehouse decision makers, was bankrolled and controlled by executives of Florida Power and Light.
The Illinois County’s local Democratic party has filed an all-women slate for county-wide elections, opening the possibility for the first woman to serve in the sheriff, treasurer and clerk positions.
While the state’s Government Records Council is supposed to help resolve requests as quickly as possible, a report from a watchdog group found that it takes an average of 21 months to handle cases.
The Census count led to the state redrawing congressional and state legislative districts, and the loss of a congressional representative. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan argues that systemic racism led to an undercount.
Evidence shows that investors can often outbid other buyers, keeping starter homes out of the hands of would-be owners, especially Black and Hispanic families. The issue is especially prevalent in Sun Belt states.
