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.

363 stories · page 3 of 13

News · MN

Frey says he will veto driverless rideshare ordinance

Elections and voting

The Minneapolis City Council approved an ordinance concerning driverless rideshares, but Mayor Jacob Frey says he will veto it.

The Ballot Minnesota DeskOct 3, 2026

News · AL

Senate passes Britt bill on clergy and Social Security

Economy and jobs

The measure would give clergy another opportunity under Social Security but must complete the federal lawmaking process.

The Ballot Alabama News DeskOct 3, 2026

News · OH

Ohio governor signs 90-day gas tax suspension

Economy and jobs

The new state law pauses Ohio’s gas tax for 90 days in an effort to reduce fuel costs.

The Ballot Ohio News DeskOct 3, 2026

News · MO

Missouri senator proposes new bill concerning Flock

Foreign policy

The measure would have to complete Missouri’s legislative process before it could change state law.

The Ballot Missouri Policy DeskOct 3, 2026

News · NM

What to know about New Mexico’s 2026 elections

Elections and voting

Voters will decide a U.S. Senate seat, three U.S. House seats and several statewide offices on Nov. 3, 2026.

The Ballot New Mexico Policy DeskOct 3, 2026

News · OH

Ohio school cuts Anduril tax bill despite funding need

Economy and jobs

The school approved a tax reduction for Anduril while facing its own need for more money.

The Ballot Ohio DeskOct 3, 2026

News · PA

Pennsylvania House passes bill to end closed primaries

Elections and voting

The measure cleared the state House, but Pennsylvania’s primary election rules have not changed yet.

The Ballot Pennsylvania Policy DeskOct 3, 2026

News · PA

Pennsylvania House passes bill on unaffiliated primary voting

Elections and voting

The measure would let Pennsylvania voters without a party affiliation participate in primary elections.

The Ballot Pennsylvania News DeskOct 3, 2026

News · MO

Sports event contracts ordered to end in Missouri

Elections and voting

Prediction market companies must stop offering sports-related event contracts covered by a Missouri order.

The Ballot Missouri News DeskOct 2, 2026

News · MD

Scott seeks protective order in Baltimore records dispute

Elections and voting

Baltimore Mayor Scott is seeking to restrict the inspector general’s access to some records through a protective order.

The Ballot Maryland Policy DeskOct 2, 2026

News · MS

Mississippi Democrats weigh a new Senate push

Elections and voting

A young district attorney is urging Democratic officials and donors to compete for voters despite the party’s long Senate drought.

The Ballot Mississippi Policy DeskOct 2, 2026

News · RI

Smiley’s conduct draws notice after loss to Morales

Elections and voting

The Boston Globe has drawn attention to Mayor Brett Smiley’s behavior following a loss to David Morales.

The Ballot Rhode Island News DeskOct 2, 2026

News · MO

Kansas City man dies after July 4 shooting

Public safety

A man shot July 4 in Kansas City, Missouri, died this week, and his death has been classified as a homicide.

The Ballot Missouri DeskOct 2, 2026

News · OK

Lizzy’s Law proposal targets supervised visitation safety

Foreign policy

An Oklahoma senator has proposed Lizzy’s Law, a measure intended to improve safety during supervised visitation.

The Ballot Oklahoma News DeskOct 2, 2026

News · AL

Alabama data center law starts Oct. 1

Elections and voting

Filed contracts and a changing commission review process will shape what the new law means for Alabama electricity customers.

The Ballot Alabama Policy DeskOct 2, 2026

News · UT

Utah senator proposes data center transparency bills

Foreign policy

The proposals would put data center transparency before Utah lawmakers, with their effect depending on the legislative process.

The Ballot Utah News DeskOct 2, 2026

News · DC

Trump orders federal mosquito-control effort in D.C.

Elections and voting

An executive order directs several federal agencies to coordinate a mosquito-control effort in Washington, D.C.

The Ballot District of Columbia News DeskOct 2, 2026

News · OK

Oklahoma City approves roadwork tied to first Buc-ee’s

Elections and voting

The city approved roadwork connected to Oklahoma’s first Buc-ee’s while concerns about outward development remained unresolved.

The Ballot Oklahoma Policy DeskOct 2, 2026

News · OR

Signed Oregon law improves workers’ compensation benefits

Elections and voting

Oregon has signed legislation improving workers’ compensation benefits, with implementation details now becoming the next focus.

The Ballot Oregon DeskOct 2, 2026

News · NM

New Mexico lawmaker announces AI regulation bill

Elections and voting

A New Mexico lawmaker has announced legislation aimed at regulating artificial intelligence in the state.

The Ballot New Mexico News DeskOct 2, 2026

News · MI

Recall petition targeting Michigan clerk approved

Elections and voting

The petition concerns an accusation that a Michigan clerk canceled voter registrations, but approval does not establish that claim as fact.

The Ballot Michigan News DeskSep 30, 2026

News · FL

DeSantis announces 20 arrests over alleged illegal voting

Elections and voting

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that 20 people were arrested over allegations of illegal voting.

The Ballot Florida Policy DeskSep 29, 2026

News · CA

California relaxes rules for students learning English

Education

The state is reducing education barriers tied to repeated testing and rules that could slow students’ progress.

The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 29, 2026

News · DC

Mistrial declared in Trayon White bribery case

Elections and voting

The current trial involving D.C. Councilmember Trayon White ended without a verdict after a mistrial was declared.

The Ballot District of Columbia DeskSep 29, 2026

News · CA

Newsom signs California ban on officials issuing memecoins

Elections and voting

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a state measure prohibiting public officials from issuing memecoins.

The Ballot California News DeskSep 29, 2026

News · DC

Mistrial declared in Trayon White bribery case

Elections and voting

The mistrial ended the current proceeding without a verdict, leaving the case’s next steps to the court process.

The Ballot District of Columbia Policy DeskSep 29, 2026

News · IL

What to know about Illinois’ 2026 elections

Elections and voting

Illinois voters will choose a U.S. senator, governor and other statewide and congressional officeholders on Nov. 3, 2026.

The Ballot Illinois News DeskSep 29, 2026

News · TX

Fetterman rejects claim he is a bad senator, Democrat

Foreign policy

John Fetterman rejected criticism of his work as a senator and his standing as a Democrat in a dispute involving foreign policy.

The Ballot Texas News DeskSep 29, 2026

News · AZ

Arizona Legislature passes tax increase notice bill

Economy and jobs

The measure would require notice of tax increases, adding a disclosure step to the process.

The Ballot Arizona DeskSep 29, 2026

News · PA

Pennsylvania proposal sets options for closed digital games

Elections and voting

Publishers ending access to a digital game would have to preserve play or issue a refund of at least 25%.

The Ballot Pennsylvania DeskSep 29, 2026