Politics and government news

What government is actually doing — laws and executive action, budgets and taxes, housing, schools, health, courts, public safety, transport, energy, voting and campaigns — across Washington, the states and city hall. Filter below or page through the full archive.

303 stories · page 1 of 11

News · IA

Iowa governor signs higher incentive cap for steel plant

Economy and jobs

The new Iowa law raises the tax incentive ceiling for a steel plant described as a billion project.

The Ballot Iowa News DeskOct 5, 2026

News · CA

California governor signs workplace AI limits

Elections and voting

New California laws curb automated firings and the use of artificial intelligence for workplace surveillance.

The Ballot California News DeskOct 5, 2026

News · FL

DeSantis signs bill to rename Palm Beach airport for Trump

Elections and voting

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation to rename a Palm Beach airport in honor of President Donald Trump.

The Ballot Florida News DeskOct 5, 2026

News · CA

California governor signs SB 913, SB 905 and SB 868

Elections and voting

The governor acted on all three California Senate bills on September 30, with no election or candidate directly tied to the measures.

The Ballot California DeskOct 5, 2026

News · IA

Iowa Republican senator faults Reynolds on steel plant deal

Foreign policy

An Iowa Republican senator says Gov. Reynolds negotiated a bad deal for a proposed billion steel plant.

The Ballot Iowa DeskOct 5, 2026

News · CA

California enacts law addressing misuse of courts by abusers

Elections and voting

The new state law is intended to prevent abusers from using legal proceedings to continue harming survivors.

The Ballot California News DeskOct 5, 2026

News · SD

Bryon Noem responds after Kristi Noem files for divorce

Elections and voting

Bryon Noem spoke publicly two days after his wife of 34 years, former South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, filed for divorce.

The Ballot South Dakota Policy DeskOct 5, 2026

News · PA

Pennsylvania House passes bill to open primary elections

Elections and voting

The measure would allow independent and third-party voters to participate in Pennsylvania primary elections.

The Ballot Pennsylvania Policy DeskOct 5, 2026

News · SC

What’s on South Carolina’s 2026 election ballot

Elections and voting

South Carolina voters will decide three statewide offices and elections for all seven U.S. House districts on Nov. 3.

The Ballot South Carolina News DeskOct 5, 2026

News · ND

North Dakota’s 2026 elections: Key races and voting history

Elections and voting

Voters will choose a U.S. House member, secretary of state and attorney general in North Dakota’s Nov. 3 election.

The Ballot North Dakota DeskOct 5, 2026

News · NV

Rosen seeks ethics rules for federal private-company stakes

Foreign policy

The Nevada senator’s resolution targets financial benefits for top federal officials and their families when the government trades private-company stakes.

The Ballot Nevada News DeskOct 5, 2026

News · MA

What Massachusetts voters will decide in 2026

Elections and voting

The Nov. 3 election includes contests for U.S. Senate, all nine U.S. House seats and statewide constitutional offices.

The Ballot Massachusetts News DeskOct 5, 2026

News · MO

Kehoe eases fuel and weight rules during Missouri harvest

Elections and voting

Gov. Kehoe signed an order relaxing fuel and weight rules for Missouri farmers during the harvest period.

The Ballot Missouri News DeskOct 4, 2026

News · MD

Moore announces funding for child poverty initiative

Elections and voting

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced funding for an initiative aimed at combating child poverty in the state.

The Ballot Maryland DeskOct 4, 2026

News · AL

Alabama data center law starts Oct. 1 amid bill questions

Elections and voting

The law takes effect Oct. 1 as attention turns to data center contracts, commission reviews and public access to the process.

The Ballot Alabama DeskOct 4, 2026

News · CA

California sets fines for robotaxis blocking responders

Economy and jobs

New autonomous-vehicle rules allow fines when robotaxis impede emergency responders in California.

The Ballot California News DeskOct 4, 2026

News · CA

California bans electric shock gloves in law enforcement

Public safety

A new California law prohibits law enforcement personnel from using electric shock gloves.

The Ballot California DeskOct 4, 2026

News · OH

Ohio governor signs 90-day gas tax pause into law

Economy and jobs

Ohio’s governor has approved a temporary gas tax pause that will remain in place for 90 days.

The Ballot Ohio Policy DeskOct 4, 2026

News · AZ

Arizona candidate residency questions remain unresolved

Elections and voting

Some Arizona candidates face questions about where they live, while the state’s residency rules remain difficult to enforce.

The Ballot Arizona Policy DeskOct 4, 2026

News · OH

Ohio governor signs 90-day gas tax suspension

Economy and jobs

Ohio’s governor signed a bill temporarily suspending the state gas tax for 90 days.

The Ballot Ohio News DeskOct 4, 2026

News · TN

Tennessee orders review after Pike survives execution attempt

Elections and voting

The governor ordered an outside review after death row inmate Christa Pike remained alive following an execution attempt.

The Ballot Tennessee DeskOct 4, 2026

News · MD

Moore announces funding for child poverty initiative

Elections and voting

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced funding for an initiative intended to address child poverty in the state.

The Ballot Maryland Policy DeskOct 4, 2026

News · CA

California math-testing bill SB 1067 signed into law

Foreign policy

SB 1067, a California math-testing measure associated with a San Diego state senator, has been signed into law.

The Ballot California Policy DeskOct 4, 2026

News · AZ

Congress passes bill to make Chiricahua a national park

Elections and voting

The measure would make Chiricahua National Monument Arizona’s fourth national park if it receives final presidential approval.

The Ballot Arizona News DeskOct 4, 2026

News · TN

Tennessee governor pauses executions, orders outside review

Elections and voting

All Tennessee executions are paused for the rest of the year while a third party conducts a review ordered by the governor.

The Ballot Tennessee Policy DeskOct 4, 2026

News · IA

Iowa governor signs higher incentive cap for steel plant

Economy and jobs

The new law raises Iowa’s tax incentive ceiling for a steel plant valued at billion, expanding the amount the project may qualify for.

The Ballot Iowa DeskOct 4, 2026

News · IA

Iowa governor signs higher incentive cap for steel plant

Economy and jobs

The new law raises the tax-incentive ceiling connected to a steel plant valued at billion.

The Ballot Iowa Policy DeskOct 4, 2026

News · CA

California Governor Signs Three AI, Workplace Surveillance Bills

Elections and voting

The three measures establish California laws addressing artificial intelligence and monitoring in the workplace.

The Ballot California News DeskOct 4, 2026

News · CA

Newsom signs Rubio measure targeting court abuse

Foreign policy

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed state Sen. Susan Rubio’s legislation aimed at stopping abusers from using courts against survivors.

The Ballot California DeskOct 4, 2026

News · CA

Newsom signs VPP, balcony solar bills; vetoes another

Energy and environment

California’s governor approved bills on virtual power plants and balcony solar but rejected separate community solar legislation.

The Ballot California News DeskOct 4, 2026