State Government

A New Bill in Washington State Seeks to Reduce Unneeded Packaging

Laws requiring companies to cover the costs of recycling services are gaining momentum in the U.S. Washington is one of the latest states to consider a strategy that is popular in Europe.

  • By Molly Bolan

Top State Democrats Outline Legislative Priorities

Where the party has majorities, they hope to focus on issues like housing, voting rights and criminal justice. In GOP-controlled states, they want to hold the line against Republican proposals on abortion, school vouchers and guns.

  • By Kery Murakami

A Governor Proposes Slashing His State's Income Tax by Half

The "biggest tax cut in the history of this state" is how he described it. But critics say the hit to revenue, estimated at over $1 billion annually in future years, would further undermine already shortchanged public services.

  • By Bill Lucia

Shared Power Used to be the Norm in Statehouses. Now It’s Nearly Extinct

State government control is split between the parties in only 10 states—the fewest since 1952.

  • By Scott S. Greenberger , Stateline

12 Women Set to Take Office as Governor in 2023

COMMENTARY | A record-breaking number of women were elected governor in November. Here are 7 things to know about how that happened.

  • By William R. Wilkerson and Alana Jeydel, The Conversation

With New Power in 4 States, Democrats Prepare to Push for Previously Blocked Priorities

After key midterm wins, the party will gain additional “trifectas” in 2023, holding both legislative chambers and the governor’s office. The change will unlock new policymaking possibilities.

  • By Daniel C. Vock

Finally, Something Lawmakers Can (Mostly) Agree On: State Symbols

Bills to designate new symbols, from dinosaurs to pastries, just keep coming.

  • By Elaine S. Povich, Stateline

A Governor Declares Dec. 23 a Holiday for State Employees

"This is just another way to show our appreciation to our dedicated state workers," the state chief executive said.

  • By Bill Lucia

Two Legislators Want to Audit Their State's Professional Sports Stadiums

They say the move would reveal the true value of the facilities and teams for taxpayers.

  • By Harrison Cann

More States Move to Ban TikTok From Government Devices

Maryland joined South Dakota in announcing a ban on state employees or agencies from using the app on government-issued devices, while South Carolina asked for it to be blocked.

  • By Chris Teale

Supreme Court Case on State Legislatures Could Have ‘Devastating Consequences’

COMMENTARY | This week the nation’s high court will hear Moore v. Harper, a case examining independent state legislature theory.

  • By WILSON HUHN & JONATHAN WINER

Number of Women Elected to State Legislature Seats Hits New Record

But nationwide they are still short of equal representation in statehouses compared to men.

  • By Molly Bolan
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How Your State Can Reduce Fraud With Marijuana Tax Payments

COMMENTARY | Governments can be unaware of whether they are receiving the correct revenues from cannabis sales. But there are options available to help agencies root out noncompliance, improve forecasts, and potentially up collections.

  • By Peter Arena and Jen Galbreath

With Arizona Win, Democratic Governors Hang Tough in Midterms

Vulnerable incumbents defended their seats, as the party also managed to take control of three governorships held by Republicans, while only ceding one to the GOP.

  • By Daniel C. Vock

The Curse of Straight-ticket Voting

COMMENTARY | The wave that hit state government elections this year had mostly to do with cementing single party control. It’s a trend that’s keeping good candidates on the sidelines, flawed ones in office and eroding checks on power.

  • By James Nash

Voters in One State Approve a Tax on Millionaires

And in another they eliminated tax breaks for higher earners. But national trends with ballot initiatives to tax the wealthy are mixed overall this year and hard to interpret.

  • By Kery Murakami

Split Results in Marijuana Legalization Votes

Measures to legalize recreational cannabis won approval in two states, and failed in three.

  • By Molly Bolan

DeSantis Dominates in Winning Second Term

The Florida governor's victory comes as questions swirl around whether he'll run for president in 2024.

  • By Ryan Dailey and Jim Turner

The Winners and Losers in the 2022 Midterm Election Governors Races

Get caught up on all the action from Election Day, and who the next top government executives will be in the 36 states that held gubernatorial contests this year.

  • By Bill Lucia and Kery Murakami

States Struggle to Curb Fake Emotional Support Animals

"This is really being exploited by people who want pets in housing that doesn’t allow pets."

  • By Elaine S. Povich, Stateline

State Chief Information Officers are Handling Much More Than Just Tech

In state government, the role of the CIO has evolved to center on the business of IT, rather than the nuts and bolts of computers. It’s something that new governors will have to keep in mind.

  • By Bill Lucia