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.

371 stories · page 9 of 13

News · MT

Daines rural water bill heads to president

Elections and voting

The Senate passed Daines’ measure to preserve a rural water system in Montana, moving it to the president for action.

The Ballot Montana News DeskSep 20, 2026

News · OR

Oregon governor blames Trump for Bonneville rate proposal

Elections and voting

Oregon’s governor says Trump is responsible for a proposed Bonneville rate increase totaling.

The Ballot Oregon DeskSep 20, 2026

News · IL

Illinois lawmaker files bill to repeal prediction-market tax

Economy and jobs

Rep. Travis Weaver’s House Bill 5814 would remove Illinois’ per-wager tax on exchange wagers and set legal rules for fantasy contests.

The Ballot Illinois DeskSep 20, 2026

News · MO

Missouri AG tells unlicensed prediction markets to stop

Elections and voting

Missouri’s attorney general has issued cease-and-desist orders targeting prediction markets described as operating without licenses.

The Ballot Missouri Policy DeskSep 20, 2026

News · IL

Doris Turner announces Illinois Grocery Initiative funding

Foreign policy

Sen. Doris Turner announced new funding through the Illinois Grocery Initiative, but the amount, recipients and payment schedule were not identified.

The Ballot Illinois Policy DeskSep 20, 2026

News · OR

Democrat blocks bill on data centers and energy costs

Energy and environment

The measure was presented as a way to reduce Americans’ energy costs but did not advance after a Democrat blocked it.

The Ballot Oregon News DeskSep 20, 2026

News · UT

Utah lawmakers weigh data rules amid Salt Lake camera fight

Elections and voting

A dispute over cameras in Salt Lake City is intensifying as Utah lawmakers consider how related data should be governed.

The Ballot Utah DeskSep 20, 2026

News · OK

What comes next for Trump’s Oklahoma aluminum smelter plan

Elections and voting

The proposed smelter cleared a political hurdle in August, but its next formal step and construction schedule remain unsettled.

The Ballot Oklahoma News DeskSep 20, 2026

News · CA

Newsom signs 13 California election bills

Elections and voting

The governor said the package is intended to protect voting and ballots from interference, citing concerns involving President Trump.

The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 20, 2026

News · SC

Tim Scott’s path from appointment to Senate elections

Foreign policy

The South Carolina Republican entered the Senate by appointment in 2013 and later won elections in 2014, 2016 and 2022.

The Ballot South Carolina DeskSep 20, 2026

News · MO

Sports event contracts ordered to end in Missouri

Elections and voting

Prediction market companies have been directed to stop offering sports-related event contracts in Missouri.

The Ballot Missouri News DeskSep 20, 2026

News · OR

Moore throws four TD passes in Oregon’s 84-0 win

Elections and voting

No. 21 Oregon shut out Portland State as Moore threw four touchdown passes in an 84-point victory.

The Ballot Oregon DeskSep 20, 2026

News · IL

Belt announces $26 million for Illinois grocery grants

Health care

The Illinois Grocery Initiative will fund new stores, recently closed locations and equipment upgrades, including projects in food-access areas.

The Ballot Illinois DeskSep 19, 2026

News · CO

Records show Denver attorney pressed for former firm

Health care

Miko Brown promoted Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell for airport legal work before insurer AIG agreed to hire the firm.

The Ballot Colorado DeskSep 18, 2026

News · MA

Healey signs Massachusetts bill changing abortion rules

Health care

House Bill 5595 removes the state’s 24-week abortion limit, hospital requirement for later procedures and multiple-physician approval process.

The Ballot Massachusetts News DeskSep 18, 2026

News · AZ

Arizona sues L’Oréal over chemical relaxer cancer risks

Elections and voting

Arizona has taken L’Oréal to court over alleged cancer risks associated with chemical relaxers.

The Ballot Arizona DeskSep 18, 2026

News · NJ

Newark City Council Passes Data Center Resolution

Elections and voting

The Newark City Council has adopted a resolution taking a position on data centers, with no election or candidate directly connected to the action.

The Ballot New Jersey DeskSep 18, 2026

News · CA

Newsom Signs ‘Leno’s Law’ at Jay Leno’s Garage

Elections and voting

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the car-related measure known as “Leno’s Law” during a visit to Jay Leno’s Garage.

The Ballot California DeskSep 18, 2026

News · FL

Museum of Miami proposes Dinner Key terminal restoration

Elections and voting

The concept would preserve the historic Pan Am terminal while adding a new building for cultural and civic uses on the waterfront site.

The Ballot Florida DeskSep 18, 2026

News · TX

Cornyn says he will not vote for Bo French

Elections and voting

Cornyn has ruled out voting for Bo French in a Texas race but has not identified an alternative choice.

The Ballot Texas Policy DeskSep 18, 2026

News · WI

Van Orden Backs Data Center Rate Protection

Elections and voting

Derrick Van Orden voted for an effort intended to protect Wisconsin families from electricity rate increases tied to data centers.

The Ballot Wisconsin DeskSep 18, 2026

News · WY

Cox Ranch data center proposal moves toward final vote

Elections and voting

Cheyenne City Council advanced the proposed Cox Ranch data center project, but the council has not yet taken final action.

The Ballot Wyoming Policy DeskSep 18, 2026

News · MS

Mississippi governor signs state forests agreement

Elections and voting

The governor signed an agreement focused on strengthening Mississippi’s state forests, with implementation details shaping its practical effect.

The Ballot Mississippi News DeskSep 18, 2026

News · FL

Florida attorney general proposes anti-spam bill

Elections and voting

The proposal would target unwanted calls and text messages in Florida, but it must go through the legislative process before becoming law.

The Ballot Florida News DeskSep 18, 2026

News · CA

Newsom signs SB 1274 recognizing industrial cities

Elections and voting

The new California law recognizes the state’s industrial cities and is not directly connected to an election or candidate race.

The Ballot California News DeskSep 18, 2026

News · MO

Missouri governor limits use of license plate reader data

Elections and voting

A signed order restricts how data from Automated License Plate Readers may be used in Missouri.

The Ballot Missouri Policy DeskSep 18, 2026

News · DE

Delaware governor signs HB 381 on data breach rules

Elections and voting

HB 381 tightens Delaware’s data breach rules and limits safe harbors associated with HIPAA and GLBA.

The Ballot Delaware DeskSep 18, 2026

News · OK

Congress clears Miami Tribe to pursue homeland claim

Elections and voting

The measure allows the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma to litigate its long-running claim involving 2.6 million acres of its homelands.

The Ballot Oklahoma News DeskSep 18, 2026

News · VA

House passes Kiggans bill honoring WWII veteran Shames

Elections and voting

The measure would name a Virginia Beach post office for Col. Edward D. Shames, a World War II veteran.

The Ballot Virginia Policy DeskSep 18, 2026

News · AK

House passes Begich bill on Alaska Native handicrafts

Elections and voting

The measure, the 14th Begich-sponsored bill to pass the House, would clarify protections for traditional Alaska Native handicrafts.

The Ballot Alaska News DeskSep 18, 2026