Topic: U.S. State Politics
Top galleries, list articles, quizzes
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Eight states charging hard against abortion
This year, numerous governors are promoting new limits on abortion – or have already signed legislation. Here’s a rundown:
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Top 10 states for clean tech
Clean Edge, a clean-tech research and advisory firm based in San Francisco and Portland, has ranked states for their leadership in clean tech. Here are its Top 10 picks:
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How much do you know about gay rights in America? Take the quiz!
Throughout much of the 20th century, an admission of homosexuality could result in a felony conviction and a lengthy prison sentence. Even as late as 1970, Connecticut denied a drivers license to a gay man on the basis of his sexual orientation. Today, gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people get considerably more legal protection. Twenty-one states plus Washington, D.C. outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation, and nine states plus Washington, D.C. recognize same-sex marriage. But 39 other states prohibit same-sex marriage, either in their state constitutions or by statute. And LGBT people in every state still face bullying that can range from taunting to physical violence.How much do you know about the history of gay rights in America? Take our quiz to find out!
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Opinion 3 questions to ask about US drone policy
White House spokesman Jay Carney has defended the Obama administration's controversial drone policy, asserting: “These strikes are legal, they are ethical, and they are wise.” But rather than closing the debate, that statement frames the three essential questions Americans should be asking about US drone policy.
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Eight open US Senate seats in 2014
Here are eight senators who have opted out of a reelection bid in 2014, giving hopefuls in both parties a rare shot at a US Senate seat – and, moreover, one that could flip control of the Senate.
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Why Mayor Bloomberg opposes legalizing marijuana
Starting next month, people in New York City who get picked up on charges of having a small amount of marijuana will be released with appearance tickets. But Mayor Michael Bloomberg says he opposes legalization of marijuana.
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Gay marriage passes Illinois Senate: Future murky in House
Gay marriage passes the Illinois Senate with a 34-21 Valentine's Day vote. It faces a tougher sell in the Democrat-controlled House, despite support from Gov. Pat QuinnSar.
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Tax VOX Obama's State of the Union and the great deficit debate
In his State of the Union address Tuesday, Obama continued to express a willingness to slow the growth of Medicare, but only around the edges, Gleckman writes.
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Michelle Obama heads to Chicago for teen's funeral
The first lady will join other dignitaries Saturday at the funeral of Hadiya Pendleton, a 15-year-old girl who was shot and killed in Chicago just days after performing at one of President Obama's inauguration events.
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Eight open US Senate seats in 2014
Here are eight senators who have opted out of a reelection bid in 2014, giving hopefuls in both parties a rare shot at a US Senate seat – and, moreover, one that could flip control of the Senate.
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Vox News From political 'House of Colbert', a South Carolina candidate called Lulu
Elizabeth Colbert Busch, also known as 'Lulu,' is running to fill a vacated South Carolina congressional seat. Does it help that her little brother is Stephen Colbert?
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Chapter & Verse Ayn Rand as a graduation requirement? An Idaho senator likes the idea
Sen. John Goedde, chairman of the Idaho Senate's Education Committee, introduced legislation that would require every Idaho high school student to read 'Atlas Shrugged' and pass an exam on the book to graduate.
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Sandy aid: Home buyouts? Competitions for cash? Officials think bold.
New York and New Jersey leaders are making proposals on how to use the first installment of the $51 billion aid package that Congress approved for regions affected by superstorm Sandy.
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Christie: Gambling law vetoed until tax rate increased
Christie gambling: It was the second time since 2011 that the Republican governor has vetoed an Internet-betting bill passed by the New Jersey Legislature.
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States consider drone bans: Overreaction or crucial for privacy rights? (+video)
Charlottesville, Va., this week passed the nation's first ban on drones, and some states are considering similar measures. But drones can also be helpful tools, experts say.
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Massachusetts' incredible shrinking Senate race: More Republicans bow out
The most likely GOP contenders are no-shows, but some other Massachusetts Republicans are launching campaigns or testing the waters. Still, Democrats may be hard to beat in this Senate race.
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Opinion California's balanced budget? Hold the applause.
Although Gov. Jerry Brown has pronounced California's "did the impossible" with its balanced budget, the state is still in miserable condition. Like the federal government, it has to make some hard choices going forward. And voters need to make an extra effort to participate in state politics.
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Vox News Chris Christie eats doughnut on Letterman. Was he making a point? (+video)
Chris Christie helped defuse jokes about his weight with one bite of a jelly doughnut but resolving a rift with Speaker Boehner and GOP conservatives over hurricane Sandy relief won't be as easy.
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Girl, 6, crashes car: Can laws make young drivers safer?
A Pittsburgh girl, 6, crashed her mom's car Sunday morning. In South Dakota, lawmakers addressed slightly older drivers in legislation aimed at curbing teen car crashes.
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Gov. Cuomo's grand plan post-Sandy: give some of New York back to nature (+video)
New York Gov. Cuomo is proposing creation of an undeveloped coastal buffer zone by spending $400 million to buy and demolish up to 10,000 homes destroyed by superstorm Sandy.
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The Vote Geraldo Rivera Senate run: Is he really a Republican?
Geraldo Rivera voted for Obama in 2012, but he is a registered Republican. He says his heroes are Republican moderates from the Northeast, just the kind that can win in New Jersey.
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Scott Brown won't seek open Senate seat, a blow to Republican hopes (+video)
Republican Scott Brown won't vie for US Senate seat vacated by John Kerry of Massachusetts, he said Friday. His decision increases the likelihood the seat will stay in Democratic hands.
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Kerry Senate seat now has contested primary: Stephen Lynch hat in ring
Rep. Stephen Lynch, a former ironworker, announced his campaign to succeed John Kerry in the Senate. He faces Rep. Edward Markey, the apparent front-runner, in a Democratic primary.
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The Vote Geraldo Rivera 'truly contemplating' run for Senate. Could he win?
Broadcast journalist Geraldo Rivera said on his radio program Thursday that he's been in touch 'with some people in the Republican Party in New Jersey' about a run in 2014. But it won't be easy.
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Who’ll fill Kerry Senate seat? Question answered, but only for now.
Mass. Gov. Deval Patrick names a former aide, William 'Mo' Cowan, to fill the Kerry seat until a special election in June. Two House Democrats are girding for battle, as is the GOP's Scott Brown.
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Armed Arizona posse guards schools: Vigilantes or vigilance?
Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Arizona's Maricopa County has dispatched his armed posse to guard public schools. For members of the posse – often retirees – it's a chance to serve.
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Will your state taxes go up? How legislatures are leaning.
As red states get redder and blue states bluer, state taxes could head in opposite directions. Some states are trying to eliminate income taxes, others are raising them.
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Opinion 6 reasons why President Obama will defeat the NRA and win universal background checks
Something is going to happen this session in the US Congress that hasn’t happened in more than a decade: The National Rifle Association (NRA) is going to lose on a top priority issue. Here are six reasons why President Obama will win a victory on universal background checks.
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Decoder Wire The 'stupid party': Is GOP's concern what's said or how it's said?
Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) and former party chief Haley Barbour disparage anew 'stupid' comments about rape and abortion by a few GOP candidates. It's hard to tell if the concern is mainly about style or substance.
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Global Viewpoint Italian elections: Monti vs. Berlusconi and a test of democracy
The upcoming Italian elections are a contest between the populism of short-term fixes championed by Silvio Berlusconi and the long-term reforms of Mario Monti necessary to make Italy’s economy solvent, competitive, and sustainable over the long run.
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