Stateline Stories

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.

Attorneys General Prepare to Defend Controversial Laws

State attorneys general are about to head to court to defend controversial state laws. Are they required to defend laws that might not survive legal scrutiny?

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?

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.

States Rush to Fix Capitol Buildings After Years of Decline

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

Maryland Repeals Death Penalty

Maryland has executed five people since the Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976. But nobody else will be sentenced to death in the Old Line State.

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?

Lawmakers Chew on Weighty Issues: ‘Whose shad fry is the best?’

Photo Slideshow: Lawmakers call time out to weigh delicious legislation.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Retains Conservative Tilt

The Wisconsin high court’s perceived conservative tilt will remain after a justice was re-elected in Tuesday’s vote.

Balance of Power, Future of Key Issues at Stake in Wisconsin Court Race

Two years after one of the most contentious and bruising Supreme Court elections any state has ever seen, Wisconsin voters will return to the polls Tuesday to cast their votes in another judicial election.

Maryland Repeals Death Penalty, Sixth State in Six Years

Maryland became the sixth state in as many years to repeal the death penalty. But the fate of the state’s five remaining death row inmates is up to Governor Martin O'Malley.

Florida State of the State Address 2013

Following is the preparded text of Flordia Gov. Rick Scott's (R) 2013 State of the State Address

Ohio State of the State Address 2013

LIMA, Ohio -- Feb. 19 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. John Kasich's (R) 2013 State of the State Address:

North Carolina State of the State Address 2013

RALEIGH, North Carolina Feb. 18 Following is the prepared text of Gov. Pat McCrory's (R) 2013 State of the State Address:

Obama Backs Funding for Violence Against Women Act

The reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act will ensure that federal dollars keep flowing to state courts, prosecutors and law enforcement to combat violence against women.

New Hampshire State of the State Address 2013

CONCORD, New Hampshire --Feb. 14-- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Maggie Hassan's (D) 2013 State of the State Address:

Governors Ask Lawmakers to Prevent Future Shootings

The recent mass shootings in Colorado and Connecticut reshaped governors’ legislative agendas this year, and many used their once-a-year legislative addresses to ask lawmakers to take up gun control, mental health treatment and school safety.

West Virginia State of the State Address 2013

CHARLESTON, West Virginia Feb. 13 Following is the text of Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin's (D) 2013 State of the State Address:

Seizing Medicaid Expansion as a Means to Reform

Alabama aims to make its Medicaid program more efficient, before expanding it. Under consideration is a regional care plan developed in Oregon.

Ohio Redistricting Overhaul Gains Support

Even if Ohio approves changes to its system for drawing legislative and congressional district lines, it will be a decade before they go into effect. That is one of the major reasons the changes have a chance to pass.

Governors Balance Pardons With Politics

Governors are more reluctant to use their pardon power in the face of heightened political scrutiny. But some still issue regular pardons.

Will Moderation Win in Texas?

The budget has improved dramatically in Texas, but spending more isn’t necessarily an easy sell.

Illinois State of the State Address 2013

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois – Feb. 6 – Following is the prepared text of Gov. Pat Quinn’s 2013 State of the State Address

Kentucky State of the Commonwealth Address 2013

FRANKFORT, Kentucky -- Feb. 6 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Steve Beshear's (D) 2013 State of the Commonwealth Address:

Minnesota State of the State Address 2013

ST. PAUL, Minnesota Feb. 6 Following is the prepared text of Gov. Mark Dayton's 2013 State of the State Address

Alabama State of the State Address 2013

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Feb. 5 -- Following is the prepared text for Gov. Robert Bentley's (R) 2013 State of the State Address:

Maine State of the State Address 2013

AUGUSTA, Maine Feb 5 Following is the prepared text for Gov. Paul LePage's 2013 State of the State Address

Pennsylvania State of the State Address 2013

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania -- Feb. 5 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Tom Corbett's 2013 State of the State Address:

Republicans Reassess Social Issue Strategy

Political pressure and last year’s elections have led Republican lawmakers to rethink their approach to controversial social questions.

Oklahoma State of the State Address 2013

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma Feb. 4 Following is the prepared text of Gov. Mary Fallin's (R) 2013 State of the State Address

Tennessee State of the State Address 2013

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Feb. 1 -- Following in the prepared text of Gov. Bill Haslam's (R) 2013 State of the State Address:

Utah State of the State Address 2013

SALT LAKE CITY -- Feb. 1 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Gary Herbert's (R) 2013 State of the State Address:

Maryland State of the State Address 2013

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland -- Jan. 30 -- Following is the prepared text of Governor Martin O'Malley's (D) 2013 State of the State Address:

Montana State of the State Address 2013

HELENA, Montana -- Jan. 30 -- Following is the prepared text of Governor Steve Bullock's (D) 2013 State of the State Address:

As Legislatures Become More Partisan, Nebraska Holds Out

LINCOLN, Nebraska — Both in law and in practice, Nebraska has the least partisan legislature in the country. To supporters, that makes it a national model. To the state’s dominant Republican Party, however, that sometimes makes it a political obstacle.

Texas State of the State Address 2013

AUSTIN, Texas -- Jan. 29 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Rick Perry's (R) 2013 State of the State Address:

Missouri State of the State Address 2013

COLUMBIA, Missouri Jan. 28 Following is the prepared text for Gov. Jay Nixon's (D) 2013 State of the State Address

New Mexico State of the State Address 2013

SANTA FE, New Mexico -- Jan. 28 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Susana Martinez's (R) 2013 State of the State Address:

Rhode Island State of the State Address 2013

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island -- Jan. 28 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Lincoln Chafee's (I) 2013 State of the State Address

California State of the State Address 2013

SACRAMENTO, California -- Jan. 24 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Jerry Brown's (D) 2013 State of the State Address:

Issue To Watch: Gun Regulation

Gun legislation moved to the top of the list for many state lawmakers after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut in December.

2013: A Year of Big Majorities

Last November’s voting left one party or the other in full control of government in most states of the country. But how they plan to use their power is a tricky question.

Hawaii State of the State Address 2013

Honolulu, Hawaii -- Jan 22 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Neil Abercrombie's (D) 2013 State of the State Address:

Mississippi State of the State Address 2013

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Jan. 22 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Phil Bryant's (R) 2013 State of the State Address:

Indiana State of the State Address 2013

Indianapolis, Indiana -- Jan. 21 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Mike Pence's (R) 2013 State of the State Address:

North Dakota State of the State Address 2013

BISMARCK, North Dakota -- Jan. 18 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Jack Dalrymple's (R) 2013 State of the State Address:

Delaware State of the State Address 2013

DOVER, Delaware -- Jan. 17 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Jack Markell's (D) 2013 State of the State Address:

Georgia State of the State Address 2013

ATLANTA, Georgia -- Jan. 17 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Nathan Deal's (R) 2013 State of the State Address:

Alaska State of the State Address 2013

Following is Alaska Governor Sean Parnell's (R) 2013 State of the State Address

Massachusetts State of the Commonwealth Address 2013

BOSTON, Massachusetts -- Jan. 16 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Deval Patrick's (D) State of the Commonwealth Address:

Michigan State of the State Address 2013

LANSING, Michigan -- Jan. 16 -- Following is a transcript of Gov. Rick Snyder's (R) 2013 State of the State Address:

Nevada State of the State Address 2013

CARSON CITY, Nevada -- Jan. 16 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Brian Sandoval's (R) 2013 State of the State Address:

South Carolina State of the State Address 2013

COLUMBIA, South Carolina -- Jan. 16 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Nikki Haley's (R) 2013 State of the State Address

Washington State of the State Address 2013

OLYMPIA, Washington -- Jan. 16 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Jay Inslee's (D) 2013 State of the State Address

Arkansas State of the State Address 2013

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas -- Jan. 15 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Jim Beebe's (D) 2013 State of the State Address:

Iowa State of the State Address 2013

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Jan. 15 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Terry Branstad's (R) 2013 State of the State Address:

Kansas State of the State Address 2013

TOPEKA, Kansas -- Jan. 15 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Sam Brownback's 2013 State of the State Address:

Nebraska State of the State Address 2013

LINCOLN, Nebraska -- Jan. 15 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Dave Heineman's (R) 2013 State of the State Address:

Wisconsin State of the State Address 2013

MADISON, Wisconsin -- Jan. 15 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Scott Walker's (R) 2013 State of the State Address

Arizona State of the State Address 2013

PHOENIX, Arizona --Following is the prepared text of Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer's (R) 2013 State of the State Address

Oregon State of the State Address 2013

SALEM, Oregon -- Jan. 14 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. John Kitzhaber's (D) 2013 State of the State Address

Colorado State of the State Address 2013

DENVER, Colorado -- Jan 10 -- Following is the prepared tect of Gov. John Hickenlooper's (D) 2013 State of the State Address:

Vermont State of the State Address 2013

MONTPELIER, Vermont -- Jan. 10 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Peter Shumlin's (D) 2013 State of the State Address

Connecticut State of the State Address 2013

HARTFORD, Connecticut -- Jan 9 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Dannel Malloy's (D) 2013 State of the State Address

Governors Kick Off Legislative Sessions

Two of the country’s most prominent Republican governors opened their states’ legislative sessions with state of the state speeches from different fiscal vantage points. One day after a strong revenue projection for the upcoming two years, Texas Governor Rick Perry was somewhat optimistic, but warned lawmakers aga

New York State of the State Address 2013

ALBANY, New York -- Jan. 9 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's (D) 2013 State of the State Address:

Virginia State of the Commonwealth Address 2013

RICHMOND, Virginia -- Jan. 9 -- Following is the full text of Gov. Bob McDonnell's 2013 State of the State Address

Wyoming State of the State Address 2013

CHEYENNE, Wyoming -- Jan. 9 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Matt Mead's (R) 2013 State of the State Address:

New Jersey State of the State Address 2013

TRENTON, New Jersey -- Jan. 8 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Chris Christie's (R) 2013 State of the State Address:

South Dakota State of the State Address 2013

PIERRE, South Dakota Jan. 8 Following is the prepared text for Gov. Dennis Daugaard's (R) 2013 State of the State Address

Idaho State of the State Address 2013

BOISE, Idaho -- Jan. 7 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter’s (R) 2013 State of the State Address:

Election Year Brings Big Changes in State Policy

From battles in the legislatures to battles at the polls, Stateline reporters traveled all over the country in 2012 reporting on news from the states.

Maine Tax Cuts May Outlive Republican Rule

Democrats won legislative victories campaigning against tax cuts, but may not have the power or inclination to repeal them.

Cory Booker Opts Out of Governor’s Race, Looks Instead to U.S. Senate

The decision prevents a major shakeup to New Jersey politics, rendering moot months of speculation that the state would see a marquee matchup in its race for governor.

Best of #StateReads: Roots of a Voting Rights Challenge

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

Best of #StateReads: California Leads U.S. Pay Giveaway

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

Bipartisan Coalition Takes Washington Senate From Democrats

Two Democrats teamed up with the chamber’s 23 Republicans to form a new “Majority Coalition Caucus,” the second time as many weeks that Republicans have claimed a share of power in a legislative chamber where they are in the numerical minority.

One-Party Control Comes with Power and Peril

Governor John Hickenlooper’s fellow Democrats won majorities in the Colorado House and Senate in November. But some people believe united Democratic control will end up making the governor’s life more difficult.

Best of #StateReads: United States of Subsidies

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

Texas Cancer Agency Fights Controversy

The state’s $3 billion effort to attack cancer is under fire for the way some awards have been made.

Virginia’s Lt. Gov. Won’t Run For Governor — Not As Republican, At Least

Virginia Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling will not seek the Republican nomination for governor in 2013, he said Wednesday. But he left open the possibility for a run as an independent.

Best of #StateReads: Washington State Loses Women and Latino Lawmakers

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

After Tax Hike, Arkansas Plans Highway Building Boom

Transportation funding advocates have suffered setbacks in several states recently. In Arkansas, they won big.

Best of #StateReads: Why New Jersey’s Trains Flooded but New York’s Stayed Dry

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

Oklahoma Among States Limiting Property Taxes

Lowering property taxes is always popular, and results from the November 6 elections show this year was no exemption

Openly Gay Lawmakers Selected To Lead Chambers

Oregon Representative Tina Kotek is poised to join openly gay lawmakers in Colorado and Washington as a leader of a state legislative chamber.

Despite Governor’s Push, Puerto Rican Statehood Unlikely

Puerto Rico Governor Luis Fortuno is pressing President Obama and Congressional leaders to get the ball rolling on statehood for the island commonwealth, after a historic referendum. But don’t expect action anytime soon.

States Challenge ‘Secret’ Campaign Money

With the rise in undisclosed political spending by non-profit groups, officials in several states are trying to figure where the money is coming from.

Best of #StateReads: Why Colorado Children Die of Abuse and Neglect

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

Next Elections: Races for Legislative Leadership

For aspiring legislative leaders, the elections aren’t over yet. Even as the final counts from last week’s votes are still being tallied, lawmakers who hope to be house speakers or senate presidents are courting their colleagues.

Super-Sized Majorities Shift Legislative Power

After he was reelected by a comfortable margin on Tuesday, Democrat Jay Nixon will serve four more years as governor of Missouri. Whether he’ll really be leading the state, however, is open to debate. Even as Nixon was winning, Missouri Republicans triumphed in enough legislative races to secure a veto-proof two-th

Federal Charge Doesn’t Thwart Illinois Lawmaker’s Reelection Bid

Derrick Smith’s return to the Illinois General Assembly isn’t much of a welcome back party. With the dust barely settled on his easy win on Election Day, a top Republican lawmaker is already calling for the Chicago Democrat’s ouster — again.

Voters Give New Detroit Bridge a Green Light

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder’s plans to add a second bridge for cars and trucks between Detroit and Canada are moving forward, after the governor and his allies defeated a $33 million campaign to block it.

Voters Approve More State Debt

Voters in New Jersey and Alabama heed their governors’ call and approve bond issues as a way to boost their states’ economies.

Democrats Win Montana Governor’s Race, Lead in Washington

Democrats have fended off at least one more Republican attempt to take back control of a governor’s office, and likely another.

Historic Gay Marriage, Marijuana Measures Win Approval

After years of rejecting same-sex marriage at the ballot box, three states endorse it.

Infographic: Ballot Measures Gave Voters Say on Divisive Issues

Voters in 38 states will decide 174 statewide ballot measures on Election Day. Are any on your ballot?

Republicans Win Big in North Carolina Governor’s Race But Struggle Elsewhere

Despite heavy spending by outside groups in nearly a dozen races for governor, the partisan mix of Democrats and Republicans leading states appeared to change only slightly as a result of Tuesday’s elections.

In Legislative Elections, Majorities and Supermajorities at Stake

In a small group of chambers in about a dozen states, Democrats and Republicans may swap legislative majorities. Elsewhere, the main drama will be just how large the majority party’s advantage will be.

Best of #StateReads: Michigan Term Limits Encourage Politicians To Go Professional

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.