Elections
Covering topics such as governors, legislatures, local government, redistricting and voting.
The issues that drove the winning campaigns reflected a mix of local and national concerns, and the results pointed to divergent, sometimes contradictory, priorities for big-city voters.
The impending defeats of three big-city mayors tell us a lot about how politics have changed over the past four years. Also, Utah is giving up on universal mail voting.
Republicans are promoting private school choice, while Democrats are discussing K-12 funding increases. Most governors, however, are dodging the question of how to boost student achievement through curriculum changes.
Democrat Tina Kotek is backing legislation that would allow the state to take control of a quarter of underperforming schools’ budgets, as well as require those schools to hire tutors.
The Republican has made addressing law enforcement response to mass shootings a top priority, but he does not favor stricter gun control measures.
Citizens in half the states have the power to place initiatives or referendums on the ballot. That process is under threat, but in an era of partisan gerrymandering and unresponsive legislatures we must keep it viable.
Local governments and school districts are now forbidden from requiring masks to prevent the spread of disease. Masks can still be required for certain types of jobs such as health care and working with hazardous materials.
Missouri brings more children into foster care than the national average but places some in inappropriate settings. The bill would require more residential care centers along with a set of other protections and tax credits for youth programs.
They can call attention to important social causes, and they can invest in their communities. They might even hold public office themselves.
Democrat Josh Shapiro has ordered state agencies to give fired federal workers hiring preference, akin to that given to state employees. He said Pennsylvania will benefit from their skills and experience.
An upsurge of corporate purchases of single-family homes has sparked legislation in at least half a dozen states this year. Legislators hope to preserve homeownership as a path to building wealth for middle-class families and limit the number of properties owned by large corporations.
Turner’s death comes two months into his first term representing Texas’ 18th Congressional District.
Thirty years ago, it was taken as a given that Latino politicians would be Democrats. Now there are a record nine Latino Republican lawmakers in Sacramento.
GOP Gov. Mike DeWine wants more able-bodied recipients to work to receive benefits. Such requirements in other states have been held up in court but Congress might make them universal.
The Democrat touted his experience in formally launching his bid, but many believe his tainted past and resignation as governor make him unelectable.
GOP Gov. Brian Kemp is pushing hard for a civil litigation overhaul, contending that excessive damages are harming businesses and driving up insurance costs. Opponents say it would give too big a break to negligent companies.
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