The Pew Charitable Trusts - State and Consumer Initiatives

What’s Next in the Fight Over Same-Sex Marriage?

Gay marriage supporters have been on a winning streak in some states since Election Day 2012. But other states could cause that success to slow to a crawl — or even grind to a halt.

New York Spends Most Per-Student, Utah the Least: Census Report

Where Does Your State Rank In Education Spending?

Despite Governors’ Opposition, Strong Southern Support for Medicaid Expansion

New poll shows Deep South politicians are out of step with their constituents on Medicaid expansion.

Full Elections Performance Index Data Now Online

Pew’s Elections Performance Index, or EPI, released last February, was the first empirical examination of election administration performance and policy across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Drones, Fences and Sensors Influence Immigration Debate

Border security is a big part of the immigration overhaul. But who will define it?

Medicaid Expansion by the Numbers

The ACA was expected to cover 32 million uninsured Americans by 2022. Six states are on the fence about expanding Medicaid.

State Officials Seek Help Fighting Invasive Species

State officials want to play a bigger role in fighting invasive species on federal lands, calling on federal officials to better coordinate their efforts.

Foreign Law Bans: Political Statement or Unconstitutional?

State lawmakers are focused on keeping U.S. courts away from the influence of foreign law. But does banning all foreign law go too far?

Payday Loans Do Not Eliminate Checking Account Overdrafts

Payday lenders often advertise their loans as a way to avoid expensive checking account overdrafts. Research shows most borrowers end up paying fees for both.

Report: Delaware Has Lowest Business Taxes; Alaska Highest

New report says businesses pay lower taxes in Delaware, Oregon and Utah; higher taxes in Alaska and North Dakota. But what your company pays may depend on the business you’re in.

Study: Most States Cut Emissions in Last Decade

Stateline - EIA Study says 32 States Cut Emissions Between 2000 and 2010

Attorneys General Seek Warning Label Cautioning Pregnant Women Against Using Pain Pills

State attorneys general are hoping to protect the littlest victims of prescription drug abuse.

With Vote, Minnesota Is 12th State to Allow Gay Marriage

Minnesota becomes the 12th state to allow gay marriage and the third state to do so this month.

New Opportunities to Expand Home Visiting

More than a decade of bipartisan work in states has led to improved access to learning and health opportunities for children like evidence-based home visiting and high-quality pre-k.

Democrats, Voting Rights Activists Strike Back on Elections Laws

In 2012 Democrats were focused on fighting against voter ID laws and other measures that restricted voting. Now they are turning the tables.

State Pharmacy Regulators Back Senate Bill on Drug Compounding

The association of state pharmacy regulators says it’s pleased with a U.S. Senate bill that would give the Food and Drug Administration authority over drug compounders.

Number of Undocumented Children Who Cross U.S. Border Alone Has Tripled

A record number of children from Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras are being apprehended at the U.S. border. What happens to these kids?

Delaware Votes to Legalize Gay Marriage

The Delaware legislature approved a same-sex marriage bill Tuesday, repealing the state’s ban on the unions and making it the 11th state, plus D.C., to approve gay marriage.

After Years of Defeats, Immigrants Win Big State Victories in 2013

Arizona’s immigration crackdown is a fresh memory for many, but now many states are passing immigrant-friendly laws. Find out what is driving the change.

Road Deaths Climb in 2012, Ending Six-Year Slide

New England and the Southwest top the country in highest rate of increase in traffic fatalities.

Kansas Has Biggest Jump in Casino Tax Revenue, New Jersey Has Largest Drop

New casinos helped Kansas, Maryland, Maine and New York benefit from huge increases in casino tax revenue last year, while Hurricane Sandy took a toll in New Jersey

Rhode Island Legalizes Gay Marriage

The Rhode Island legislature gave final approval to a gay marriage bill Thursday (May 2), and Gov. Lincoln Chafee signed the measure immediately after the vote.

Rhode Island Legalizes Gay Marriage

The Rhode Island legislature gave final approval to a gay marriage bill Thursday, and Gov. Lincoln Chafee signed the measure immediately after the vote.

States Rush to Fix Capitol Buildings After Years of Decline

In challenging budget times, how much should states spend to preserve crumbling capitol buildings?

Finish Line Fast Approaching on Medicaid Expansion

The Supreme Court gave states a choice: Medicaid expansion or not. It’s time to choose. Here’s where they stand now.

Feds Look to Partner With States on Cybersecurity

Protecting critical infrastructure such as power utilities and the water supply from cyberattacks poses particular challenges because much of it is controlled by the private sector. States have an important role to play in keeping the country safe.

Boston Bombings Show Future Use for Police Drones

The manhunt for the Boston Marathon bombers has raised fresh questions about the use of domestic drones by law enforcement.

Mortgage Deduction Rates Vary Widely Among States

The mortgage interest deduction is a tax break that benefits middle-class Americans all over the country—or does it?

The Geographic Distribution of the Mortgage Interest Deduction

The mortgage interest deduction is one of the largest tax expenditures in the U.S. tax code but the rate at which it is claimed and the average amount deducted vary widely across and within states. With changes to tax expenditures

Delay in Implementing Sequester Forces Deeper Unemployment Cuts

Unemployment benefits were already on the chopping block thanks to sequestration. But in three-dozen states, the pain for the long-term unemployed is even greater because states have been slow to enact the across-the-board federal cuts.

Wyoming Catches Lottery Fever; Online Gaming Eyed Elsewhere

If you hope to hit the lottery, you can buy tickets in all but six states now that Wyoming legalized its own lottery. Many states are now looking to make money with online games, while Wyoming chose to make scratch-offs and all electronic games illegal.

Rhode Island Set to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

Rhode Island’s move is another victory for pro-same-sex marriage efforts. Where do other states stand?

Federal Road Fund Could Go Broke by 2015

With federal transportation money drying up, will the burden fall to the states?

Motorcycle Deaths Climb as States Repeal Helmet Laws

With fatalities rising, safety experts say states should force motorcyclists to wear helmets. But legislators are heading in the opposite direction.

Infographic: Spending on Public Health Drops

Our public health systems are meant to be at the forefront of prevention, but state and federal investments are shrinking.

States Push Bills to Ease Voting

Nearly half the states are considering measures to ease voting access, according to a new report.

Lack of Competition Might Hamper Health Exchanges

The health insurance exchanges under the Affordable Care Act are supposed to give consumers a menu of coverage choices. But will insurers agree to participate?

NFL Plays Offense to Get Public Money for Stadiums

Why are so many teams asking taxpayers to build new pro football stadiums this year?

Security Cameras Were Key to Finding Boston Bombers

Will the successful use of video analysis to identify the suspect accused of planting explosives near the finish line of the Boston Marathon spark a new push for more surveillance cameras in American cities?

Western Governors Want Feds to Do More in Stressed Forests

Is the federal government doing enough to protect its forests? Western governors don’t think so.

Hospitals Lobby Hard for Medicaid Expansion

Hospitals stand to lose billions of dollars in states that don’t expand Medicaid. They won’t accept those cuts without a fight.

Homeland Security Grants to States Gutted

Homeland Security grants to states have been cut 67 percent. Grants to Massachusetts, site of Monday’s bombings, have been cut even more.

Facebook Partners with Attorneys General in Teen Online Safety Campaign

Facebook has been revamping its much-maligned privacy practices under a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission. Now, the social networking giant is teaming with state attorneys’ general to educate teens about how to navigate the digital world without endangering their safety and privacy.

Report: No Easy Options for Feds in Legal Marijuana States

The federal government may not have much choice but to continue its mellow attitude toward legal marijuana in Washington and Colorado.

New State Gun Laws Show Power of One-Party Control

Despite the push from President Obama on gun control, states are going their own way on new gun laws—especially ones dominated by one party or the other. Which states passed gun control and which states loosened regulations?

State Revenues Reach Record High After Recession’s Decline

The Great Recession hurt state tax collections, but many have rebounded and total revenues reached record highs last fiscal year.

States’ Free Online Tax Filing Services Often Overlooked

Some 20 states allow taxpayers to file income tax online for free. Is your state one of them?

Obama Budget Calls for More Competitive Grants

The White House budget, released Wednesday, envisions making states compete with one another for a host of federal grant programs, similar to the Race to the Top education program.

States Rack Up Victories in Bids to Collect Online Sales Taxes

After more than a decade of trying, state officials think they may get to collect billions of dollars of taxes on online sales soon. Find out why.

States Taking in More Refugees from Mideast and Asia

People fleeing persecution around the world settle in different states. Pennsylvania, for example, has become home for many refugees from Bhutan. What are the other high-destination states?