The rules vary widely from state to state, and they do little to prevent policymakers from pushing costs into the future unsustainably. A couple of states are trying to take a longer-term view.
The president's party always loses seats in midterms. This year, just about everything — fundraising, voter enthusiasm, demographic shifts, the issues mix — is going the right way for Republicans.
The state’s House Democrats tried, unsuccessfully, to force a vote on an assault weapons ban on May 25, following the Texas school shooting. Republicans say they are already proactive with school safety and mental health programs.
Despite often winning a majority of votes, the Democratic Party is at an electoral disadvantage in legislatures that appears to be worsening. Author Jonathan Rodden explains the current problem and why national reform is unlikely.
In the final hours of the state’s session, the budget proposal passed in a 33-7 vote. The budget compromise would include a $2,550 Permanent Fund dividend and one-time energy relief payments.
Worried that the budget would not have enough votes to pass directly to the governor, the House of Representatives has delayed action. But, if the budget remains unchanged, the $5,500 checks to residents could drain the state’s savings.
While the GOP struggles for its soul and debates MAGA versus RINO, Democrats are in disarray. Also, lawmakers who simply do not copy and paste legislation from other states are more likely to find success.
A new California law requires addiction treatment providers to notify clients that they have the right to safe, ethical and evidence-based services. Penalties of up to $20,000 could be imposed for violations.
The Supreme Court's expected decision to overturn Roe is both the payoff from a decadeslong push by conservative activists and a signal for action on further fronts of the culture war.
The legislation to allow direct sales of electric vehicles is unlikely to pass as this session comes to a close. The bill had bipartisan support but faced pushback from car dealerships and auto worker unions.
A number of states are seeing dozens of lawmakers retire all at once. Reasons differ, but there’s wide agreement partisanship has poisoned the atmosphere.
Our system is too open to frivolous lawsuits intended to squelch free speech. There’s a lot that state lawmakers could do to protect Americans’ First Amendment rights.
Similar past bills that would have allowed greater control over the collection, sale and storage of personal data did not advance as far as this proposed bill. The legislative session closes on May 4.
Reporters at nonprofit news outlets now make up 20 percent of the total capitol press corps. The total number of full-time reporters, however, continues to decline.
The bill gives the state’s Bureau of Investigation authority to investigate potential infractions if they could have put the outcome of an election in doubt and allows the public to review ballots after elections are certified.
California has the nation’s strictest gun control laws, yet the state’s capital city experienced its deadliest shooting ever this weekend, leaving six dead and 12 wounded. Gun control activists wonder what more can be done.
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