Tennessee Will Use Eminent Domain To Evict Black Farmers for Ford E.V. Factory
The state promised Ford nearly $900 million in incentives, including new and upgraded roads. But it chose to run that new road through a number of black-owned farms.
State Governments
Reparations for Black Residents Would Cost California $800 Billion, Say Economists
This total is 2.5 times the state's annual budget.
New York Lawmakers Could Pass the Nation's Strictest State-Level Rent Control Law by the End of the Week
A controversial "good cause" eviction bill that would cap rent increases could be included in a budget bill that must pass by April 1.
Ron DeSantis Signs Bill Expanding School Choice to All Florida Students
The Florida governor has a history of using state power to bully Florida schools over speech he doesn't like. H.B. 1 may accomplish his goal while ceding power to parents.
Michigan Repeals Right-To-Work Law
A decade as a right-to-work state made Michigan better off.
Texas Bill Would Bar Citizens of China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia From Studying at State Universities
H.B. 4736 would punish foreigners who are, in many cases, deliberately building lives far away from their repressive countries.
An Oregon Man Was Wrongly Imprisoned for Almost a Year Because of an Error in a DMV Database
The Oregon DMV knew about the problem, but it "wasn't at a high enough level to understand the urgency" of the need to fix it.
Texas Bill Would Create Unit of Unaccountable Border Cops
All officers and employees of the unit would “have immunity from criminal and civil liability” for performing the activities authorized by H.B. 20.
Critics Lose Their Mind as Arkansas Makes It a Bit Easier for Teens To Work
Youth employment is a recognized path to greater prosperity.
North Carolina Using Eminent Domain To Seize Homes and a Church for Electric Car Factory
Under the Kelo v. New London Supreme Court decision, a state can take private land to give to a private developer for almost any reason it wants.
Ron DeSantis' Immigration Playbook Is All About Big Government
Despite his declared commitment to freedom and fiscal conservatism, DeSantis' immigration policies represent a dramatic expansion of government power and spending.
Is This the Year California's Development-Killing Environmental Review Law Sees Serious Reform?
Yet another court decision stopping a U.C. Berkeley housing project is getting California's policy makers to think bigger about reforming the infamous California Environmental Quality Act.
Why Won't Maryland Sell Me a Goddamn Beer?
Maryland bars and restaurants have a tendency to turn away vertical ID holders. But there's no state law mandating this.
DeSantis' Disney Drama Turns Culture War Into Political Gains
In the old days, conservatives would have viewed unelected officials being appointed to oversee corporate decisions as a worrying intrusion of state power into private affairs. DeSantis has figured out how to get them to cheer for it.
Virginia Next for Occupational Licensing Reform
The state will fast-track applicants who have out-of-state credentials or experience.
When the Government Makes Poverty Worse
A Pennsylvania survey suggests that taxes are often a major barrier to economic security, ranking ahead of credit card debt and student loans.
State Lawmakers Help Farmers by Improving Consumer Access to Raw Milk
The raw milk restoration is underway.
Bad New Idea From Florida: Ban Dogs From Sticking Their Heads Out of Car Windows
It’s ruff going for the state’s canines.
New Hampshire Gov. Sununu Just Announced a Massive Occupational Licensing Reform
In a budget address, Gov. Sununu promised legislation to allow some out-of-state licenses, abolish others.
Studies Find Conservatives More Committed to Free Speech Online, Federalism
Plus: Government regulation of speech is on trial, biohackers flock to experimental charter city in Honduras, and more…
New California Bill Proposes Legalizing Authentic Cannabis Cafes
Cannabis consumers should have the same commercial leisure spaces that alcohol drinkers do.
Oregon's Whiskey Ring Shows Perils of State Liquor Control
Top government officials reportedly kept rare bourbons for themselves and other powerful insiders.
The Fight Over the Debt Ceiling Is Just Beginning
Legislators will increasingly argue over how to spend a diminishing discretionary budget while overall spending simultaneously explodes.
Migrating Americans Seek Lower Taxes and Greater Freedom
There are many reasons people move, but overburdening your citizens is a good way to lose them.
This Texas Bill Could Bar Certain Immigrants From Buying Property in the State
Gov. Greg Abbott has already announced that he’d sign the bill if passed.
Ron DeSantis Wants $12 Million To Transport Migrants 'From Any Point' in the U.S.
The Florida governor wants to fund more migrant stunts, despite claiming that his budget will “keep more money in the pockets of Floridians.”
Poll: One-Fifth of Americans Say Government Is Our Nation's Top Problem
Plus: Democrats doubt Harris' ability to win, an end to pandemic emergency status, and more...
Louisiana Sheriffs' Offices Have Been Destroying Public Records Without Permission
"Comprehensive and accurate records are critical if patterns and causes of harm are going to be identified and corrected," said an attorney representing Louisiana inmates.
Ron DeSantis Says Florida Shouldn't Require Unanimous Juries for Death Sentences
"We can't be in a situation where one person can just derail this," DeSantis told a gathering of law enforcement officials.
Will Katie Hobbs Take Down Arizona's Expanded School Choice Program?
The governor wants to roll it back, but she doesn't have the votes.
Kentucky's Governor Wants School Choice for His Kids but Not Yours
A legal assault on charter schools will deprive families of educational options.
Pennsylvania's New Governor Dumps Excessive College Diploma Demands for State Jobs
More leaders should follow in the footsteps of Govs. Josh Shapiro, Larry Hogan, and Spencer Cox.
California's Floods Another Reminder of Failed Water Management Policies
In drought or flood, bad environmental policy is making Californians miserable.
To Win the Speakership, Kevin McCarthy Had To Promise To Cut Spending. Good.
While some Republicans may have had misguided motivations, a few disrupted McCarthy's campaign in order to enact fiscal restraint. Their colleagues were fine with business as usual.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul's Housing Plan Avoids Common Mistake of Other YIMBY Reforms
The governor would let developers route around local zoning codes and get housing projects approved directly by state officials.
For the First Time, Pennsylvania Might Have an Independent Speaker of the House
A declaration of independence capped a wild day in Pennsylvania's State House.
Federal Adoption Law Leads States To Prematurely Separate Families
For 25 years, the law has been giving states kickbacks when they finalize adoptions quickly.
What 2022 Taught Us About Freeing American Alcohol Markets
Reformers had two years of unprecedented victories—and then protectionists started using scare tactics to block them
It's Far Past Time To Decriminalize Fentanyl Test Strips
Plus: Lawmakers "demanding action" against slurs on Twitter, FTC sues to stop Microsoft from buying Activision Blizzard, and more...
Is Florida Giving Up Its Fight Against 'Woke' Disney?
Lawmakers are reportedly planning to undo legislation that would have revoked Disney's special tax and governance status.
Biden's 'Buy American' Rules Are Hamstringing Infrastructure Investments
State governments already want relief from the "Buy American" mandates included in the bipartisan infrastructure bill.
Kari Lake's Election Conspiracy Theories Aren't Even the Worst Thing About Her
It's her willingness to wield state power to punish the ideas and groups she dislikes.
Kansas Voters Could Give Legislature Power To Veto Executive Branch Regulations
The proposed constitutional amendment would shift the state's balance of political power.
Florida's Constitutional Revision Commission Is Unelected, Unaccountable, and Unnecessary
This November, voters will have the chance to abolish it. They should.
Brian Kemp and Stacey Abrams Both Advocate More Government in Georgia Governor Debate
The governor favors more punitive policing, while his Democratic opponent thinks the governor should have a say in who buys what properties in the state.
Are Ron DeSantis' Migrant Flights Legal?
Critics of the Martha’s Vineyard flights are raising a bevy of questions about the finances and alleged deception behind the scheme.
Brett Favre Goes on Welfare
How the former NFL quarterback convinced Mississippi to spend its public assistance money on a volleyball facility.
