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Legislative Politics 
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- Stateline Story
States Rush to Fix Capitol Buildings After Years of Decline
In challenging budget times, how much should states spend to preserve crumbling capitol buildings? more
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- Stateline Story
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. more
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- Stateline Story
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. more
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- Stateline Story
- State of the States 2013
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. more
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- Stateline Story
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. more
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- Stateline Story
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. more
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- Stateline Story
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. more
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- Stateline Story
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. more
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- Stateline Story
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. more
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- Stateline Story
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
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- Stateline Story
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. more
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- Stateline Story
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. more
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- Stateline Story
States Brace for Huge Legislative Turnover
Once-a-decade redistricting, term limits and the national election are expected to cause significant legislative turnover in states on Election Day. Some worry about the loss of experience and influence, but others applaud creating opportunities for fresh ideas. more
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- Stateline Story
Following Racially Charged Writings, Three Arkansas Candidates Lose GOP Funding
Arkansas Republicans have run into a stumbling block in their quest to take control of the state legislature: the racially charged writings of three of their candidates for the statehouse.
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- Stateline Story
In New Hampshire, a Primary Full of Unfamiliarity
John Lynch, New Hampshire’s popular moderate Democratic governor, is not seeking reelection this year, creating a window of opportunity for Republicans wishing to take back the office.
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- Stateline Story
Democrats Seeking Comeback in State Legislatures
Republicans won landslide victories in legislative chambers two years ago. Democrats hope to reverse some of the results in November. In many states, though, it won’t be easy. more
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- Stateline Story
In Alaska, Bipartisanship on the Ballot
An unusual coalition of Republicans and Democrats has led the Alaska Senate for six years, but many conservative Republicans hope it won’t continue for a seventh. more
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- Stateline Story
Florida Poised to Elect First Openly Gay State Lawmaker
With a narrow victory in the Democratic primary, a Miami Beach CPA is set to become Florida’s first openly gay state legislator.
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- Stateline Story
Legislatures May Soon See Many New Faces
An extraordinary number of state legislators may lose their seats this year, but neither Republicans nor Democrats are likely to make big gains in the number of state legislative chambers each controls. more
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- Stateline Story
In Kansas Primary, Results Could Advance Governor’s Agenda
On a busy primary day in four states, conservatives in Kansas are looking to oust moderate Republicans, freeing up room for the governor to push his ambitious agenda. more