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.
Letitia James and other Democratic attorneys general have emerged as Trump’s leading antagonists, with lawsuits that have been essentially relentless.
Few states have laws and guidelines for such an apparent conflict of interest. A new report provides a framework for decision-making and legislation.
Red states are leaving the long-established Electronic Registration Information Center for a new system launched by Alabama. It’s about voter suppression, not election integrity.
After President Biden's withdrawal over the weekend, the vice president may tap a state executive as her vice presidential pick.
In a post-pandemic world, public health has become more politicized than ever. And as state surgeons general take on more political roles, some worry about bias in the health care decisions they oversee.
If a presidential nominee drops out, there are wildly different answers to what happens across the nation. Experts say it’s likely the Supreme Court would settle the resulting mess.
The state now has signs that welcome visitors to “The Free State of Florida” at 24 locations along highways and two welcome centers. The slogan has been used in Gov. Ron DeSantis’ campaign since at least 2022.
On the first day of the Republican National Convention, Trump announced Sen. J.D. Vance as his vice president running mate. Vance was once a sharp critic of Trump but then rode the president’s support to the Senate in 2020.
The weekend was not a time of healing or even shared shock. Instead, partisans found ways to snipe at each other in all-too-familiar ways, despite the circumstances.
On Thursday, John Dougherty was sentenced to federal prison following convictions of bribery and embezzlement. Dougherty led the state’s most powerful labor union for nearly 30 years.
Name recognition is central in the GOP primary. Also, California lawmakers find compromises to head off ballot initiatives. Plus, the reasons governors make good running mates.
There are penal provisions in every state’s election codes. Most officers don’t know that they exist.
Members of the youngest generation of adults are starting to hold office.
The Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers ranked the state first in terms of the share of women who serve in municipal government, at 46.1 percent. The center also ranked Colorado second among states for women legislators.
Do some politicians get into trouble because they believe they can get away with anything?
Voters in at least seven states will decide property tax measures in November. Most would limit what homeowners have to pay, but two would eliminate the tax completely.
State lawmakers will likely place two bonds, one for climate change impacts and one for school repairs – each worth $10 billion – on the November ballot. The bonds will require a two-thirds approval from both chambers to reach the ballot.
In a June poll, 84 percent of registered Nevada voters supported implementing voter ID rules. Some studies indicate ID requirements impede access, but evidence is mixed.
A Shasta County supervisor was nearly recalled and the county’s longtime elections chief stepped down last month, with stress from death threats causing her heart problems.
Justices found that a federal statute that bans bribery does not apply to “gratuities” paid to elected officials for past acts. The case pertained to a former mayor but has implications for charges against former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.
The liberal/moderate/conservative labels we give ourselves reveal little about what Americans actually want out of policy and government. More progress can be made at the community level, where tribal labels are less relevant.
A new poll found that roughly three-quarters of registered voters would like to see term limits enacted or shortened for county supervisors, district attorneys and sheriffs.
Last year’s contest for Allegheny County, Pa. executive drew $1 million in funds from secretive groups that skirted disclosure requirements.
Political independents — those who don’t vote consistently for one party or the other — have views that align with their lived experience. Democrats and Republicans? They just follow the party line.
The decision bars judicial hopefuls from declaring partisan affiliation but not positions. “To describe oneself as a ‘conservative’ does not signal bias, pro or con, toward anyone or on any issue,” the court found.
On Thursday, the Court sided with Sylvia Gonzalez, a former councilmember in a San Antonio suburb, who spent a night in jail after criticizing the city manager.
Reparations remains mostly unpopular with the public, but numerous states and localities continue to explore the idea of addressing both past and present harms affecting African Americans.
Kentucky’s Republican-controlled Legislature is sending hundreds of millions of dollars to Louisville this year. Local leaders hope strong cross-partisan relationships will help the city over the long term.
One resolution would eliminate most judicial re-elections, essentially giving judges lifetime appointments.
Republican Jeff Landry has gotten his way on issues including crime, education and the political operations of the state. His ultimate goal is rewriting the state constitution.
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s decision to pull the plug on a congestion pricing plan for New York City was seen as a move calculated for advantage in the November elections, but it hasn’t made her many new friends.
