State Government

An Attack on Auditor Independence Jeopardizes One State’s Fiscal Future

The Iowa Senate passed a bill that severely limits its auditor’s access to critical documents. The ramifications could be severe.

  • By Katherine Barrett & Richard Greene

How Washington Raised $300 Million for Climate Action From Polluters

The state's first "cap-and-invest" auction nearly doubled the price of carbon recently sold in California.

  • By Kate Yoder, Grist

Biden Administration Recognizes States’ Role in Highway Spending

A new memo from the Federal Highway Administration that replaces one from last year explicitly acknowledges the role of states in deciding how to use federal highway dollars—allaying concerns raised by Republicans in Congress.

  • By Daniel C. Vock

Legislative Staffs Are Pushing to Unionize

Since Oregon successfully unionized in 2021, statehouse employees in half a dozen states have also sought to organize.

  • By Kyle Chouinard

There's 'Clear Evidence' of Bias in Past US State Spending

COMMENTARY | New research shows a direct link between constituent race, class, and immigration status and US state spending between 1921 and 1961.

  • By University of Rochester, Futurity

Why Two States Remain Holdouts on Distracted Driving Laws

Missouri and Montana are the only states without distracted driving laws for all drivers. With traffic fatalities rising, lawmakers are eyeing bills that would crack down on texting while driving.

  • By Eric Berger, Kaiser Health News

Minnesota to Require 100% Carbon-free Electricity by 2040

Utilities can use a mix of solar, wind, hydropower, nuclear, hydrogen power, and biomass—energy obtained from burning wood and trash—to meet the 2040 goal.

  • By Zoya Teirstein, Grist

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
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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

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