Politics
Polarized politics has changed the dynamics of legislation and policymaking at the state and local level. Political parties with supermajorities are increasingly in control in many states and cities. These stories explain what that means for legislators, governors and mayors and how politicians can navigate this new political landscape.
The organization has shaped state laws for 50 years. It may be at the height of its influence.
Ideas are now flowing down from Washington into the states, rather than the other way around.
Daniel Perez, the Florida Speaker, has been combatting the governor over various proposals and personal ambitions all year.
Supporters of vouchers and other funding for private schools are on a winning streak.
Lawmakers approved numerous bills to help his companies, including a shield against shareholder lawsuits and changes to highway and airspace usage around his SpaceX facility.
The congressman, who would be the first Black GOP governor since Reconstruction, is the frontrunner to succeed Ron DeSantis. In an interview, he says he would not shift policy much.
Threats down to the local level have grown more pervasive. Party officials worry that recent shootings could have a deterring effect on some prospective candidates.
A slew of measures that passed the Senate failed to come up for a vote in the Assembly. Advocates blame Speaker Carl Heastie, who says they’ve failed to build up support for legislation.
Ruthzee Louijeune is the city’s first Haitian American City Council president. Now she’s fighting the Trump administration on immigration.
Mamdani intends to freeze rent and offer free bus service and child care. Although a Democratic socialist, he insists he will be pragmatic in office.
Threats and harassment are on the rise, but strategies exist to bring down the temperature and reduce the likelihood of deadly outcomes.
The package will offer more support for ROTC, increase scholarships, guarantee in-state rates for ROTC participants and give early access to registration for students in military-related programs.
A provision in the federal budget bill would bar states from taking any action on AI. This would derail careful legislation designed to promote the technology while offering needed safeguards.
Just what is the military allowed to do in dealing with local disturbances? We’re finding out.
Madigan, 83, who for years was widely hailed as the most powerful politician in the state, was convicted on bribery conspiracy and other corruption charges.
Former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman was shot and killed on Saturday. She had previously spoken with Governing about the challenges of leading in difficult times.
A statue in Times Square depicting an ordinary Black woman has held up a mirror to people's attitudes about race and celebration.
Trump's decision to deploy the National Guard against anti-deportation protesters is sadly familiar after other attacks on the First Amendment.
The Legislature is poised to put a constitutional amendment on next year’s ballot that would make thousands of state jobs “unclassified,” allowing at-will firing of employees.
Abbott has won a number of major legislative victories over the past couple of sessions, including a long-awaited expansion of school choice this year. His re-election next year is all but assured.
History suggests Republicans have a real shot, despite the state's blue leanings. In San Antonio, the mayoral election is also turning on partisan concerns.
Citizens Union, a good government group dating back to the 19th century, called for Andrew Cuomo to resign as governor four years ago. It’s just endorsed him for NYC mayor.
The legislative session was a mixed bag for Gov. Kevin Stitt, who got everything he wanted — including an income tax cut and a ban on cellphones in schools — until the very last day.
The mayor declared a city emergency on homelessness, granting herself certain powers to address the crisis. Now, some members of the City Council want to reassert their authority and end the emergency declaration.
President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act includes an increase to the SALT — State and Local Tax — deduction, quadrupling the cap from $10,000 to $40,000 and phasing it out for incomes over $500,000.
The rejected bills included tax credits for the parents of young children, a provision for a state-funded scientific research institute, and legislation exempting service workers’ tips from state income tax.
Utah Republicans have sometimes been critical of President Donald Trump, but the state has already enacted several laws that advance “Make America Healthy Again” goals.
The Democratic governor of New Mexico and Utah’s GOP governor shared examples of cooperation and emphasized the need to turn down the heat on partisan conflict.
In New York, Cuomo's bid for mayor has gone from unlikely to almost inevitable. In other states, more new parties are forming.
Corey O’Connor, a longtime local official and son of a former mayor, pummeled Mayor Ed Gainey with a million-dollar barrage of negative ads.
Maryland has seen its credit rating drop for the first time in decades. It's the latest in a string of challenges for the state's Democratic governor.
