Governing: State and local government news and analysis
Thanks to a celebrated book, we know all about Robert Moses’ dictatorial misdeeds in New York City. But the truth is that many of his worst visions were being realized in cities across the country.
State constitutional amendments that voters approved in seven states on Nov. 5 also are vulnerable to federal moves that could essentially override them.
It will be the leadership of our states and cities that will have the most direct impact on the issues that animated the presidential campaign.
Having won a big victory, Donald Trump can claim a mandate. But recent history shows that voters punish politicians who change things too much.
An initiative to cut a carbon tax out of the Washington Climate Commitment Act was soundly rejected by voters. Gov. Jay Inslee sees the margin of defeat as an important message.
Moderates have been largely squeezed out of political relevance. There is room for a new party, and it would have to start at the state level. It could bring pragmatic solutions to critical problems the major parties avoid.
Voting and election administration became contentious topics after 2020. This time, years of preparation, efforts to improve transparency and collaboration with law enforcement helped things run smoothly.
For decades, young people chose to move to cities and large metros for greater opportunity. Since the pandemic, that migration has reversed.
If it moves on Taiwan, it’s likely that China would try to distract the United States by attacking our water, power and communications systems. It’s already demonstrated those capabilities here, and we need to be better prepared.
A half-dozen states rejected ranked-choice voting, although Washington, D.C., approved a measure. School choice fared poorly, while increasing criminal penalties proved to be popular.
Oakland voters recalled the mayor and county prosecutor, while Los Angeles voters fired their progressive district attorney. Across the country, several major cities elected new mayors.
Republicans took control of the Michigan House and will share power in the Minnesota House, blocking the home-state agenda of Gov. Tim Walz.
Like some of its Midwestern and Northwestern neighbors, it put the program on a solid fiscal foundation. California and New York show the consequences of failing.
Abortion rights advocates suffered their first post-Dobbs defeats, in Florida and South Dakota, but prevailed in other states.
Republicans have kept their 27-23 advantage, winning the year's most competitive race in New Hampshire.
At least eight states will elect new governors on Tuesday. The outcome is a foregone conclusion in five, so here are profiles of those incoming freshmen.
Arizona is the only state to require all jurisdictions to livestream ballot processing, but there are other places to watch.
Chaz Nuttycombe started making election predictions as a kid. He's turned the pursuit into a business that pros rely on.
After years under progressive measures aimed to reduce incarceration, California, Arizona and Colorado voters will all decide measures aimed at cracking down on crime.
After a decade of increasing popularity among endowment funds and pensions, its use in investment decisions is coming under increasing political attack. Financial analysts — and perhaps AI — may be able to point the way to a safer middle ground.
Public service videos featuring election officials and voices from law enforcement and the military stress the importance of secure elections — and that interference will be punished.
Cities are pulling on a variety of tools to remake post-pandemic downtowns as multipurpose neighborhoods.
Future in Context
Driven by personal experience and an inclusive vision, Patricia Rucker is leading the campaign for universal school choice across her state. An advocate for comprehensive legislation, she supports a range of educational options.
Oklahoma City has invested the proceeds of a one-cent sales tax in dozens of projects in and around its downtown for the last 30 years. The 2028 Olympics will hold softball and canoe slalom events there, 1,300 miles away from the rest of the Games.
Major sources of federal support are about to expire. Investing money will save lives, so several states are stepping up their own efforts.
Once considered a conservative stronghold, new boundaries extending into King and Snohomish counties are altering the political landscape.
Red-state voters have approved a number of liberal ballot measures in recent years. Now, liberal California is moving the other way. And two prosecutors fired by Ron DeSantis in Florida are running to get their old jobs back.
Voters in Massachusetts have an opportunity to open the door to personal and therapeutic use of plant-based psychedelics.
The AI revolution presents great opportunities for cities with the right combination of strengths. Pittsburgh is showing what’s possible.
Democrats look likely to hold the three open governor seats they currently control. There's not a lot of fertile ground for making inroads elsewhere.
