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Politics

Polarized politics has changed the dynamics of legislation and policymaking at the state and local level. Political parties with supermajorities are increasingly in control in many states and cities. These stories explain what that means for legislators, governors and mayors and how politicians can navigate this new political landscape.

The life of the former Atlanta mayor, congressman and U.N. ambassador hasn’t been without its contradictions, but today’s leaders can learn a lot from his decades of courageous leadership.
A new law in New Jersey requires cities to plan for a share of the state’s housing needs. The Republican candidate for governor is tapping into local frustration about it.
States and localities rely on the regularity and reliability of federal data. Disrupting it undermines everything from pensions to budgets and threatens public trust in government.
People get the kind of politics they demand, if not what they deserve.
Democratic Attorney General William Tong has earned bipartisan admiration from his peers even as he takes on the Trump administration and major corporate interests.
A new national study finds that people believe state and local governments can make their communities better — and they want to help.
A look back at nearly 150 years of deployments shows the guard responding to labor strikes, riots, protests and pandemics, but never under federal orders.
There were plenty not that long ago. We could use some of their pragmatism now.
The Oregon legislature passed a funding bill during a special session to prevent layoffs at the Department of Transportation. Lawmakers on both sides say it’s a short-term fix.
Fewer people are visiting Las Vegas than last year thanks to travelers’ economic concerns and federal immigration policies. The city’s new mayor, former Congresswoman Shelley Berkley, has no doubt it’ll bounce back.
American politics have reached a point where a radical solution may be needed. It’s worth thinking about, anyway.
Many of our deepest political problems have the same surprising source.
Columbus, Ohio, is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, its economy driven by an unusual culture of cooperation led by Mayor Andrew Ginther.
This shutdown could last for a while, leaving states short of funds for a variety of programs. There’s no guarantee this time that they’ll be reimbursed in the end.
Gov. Abbott has his critics but there's no denying Texas' economic success during his time in office. The state's GDP has increased 60 percent on his watch.
Even in the days leading up to her assassination, Hortman offered an example of political bravery and smarts.
Kentucky Secretary of State Michael G. Adams is one of the few public officials who's found a way to address both election security and ballot access concerns.
Ryan Walters departs amid clashes with the governor, controversies over TV displays and academic battles.
Democrats' hold on the state is at risk due to taxes and other costs. Separately, recall efforts are targeting politicians from Kansas City to California.
Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer beat his party's favored candidate in last year’s primary. He’s still finding his footing with the Democratic legislature.
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and ex-Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan take opposite paths — one doubling down on the GOP, the other switching parties.
The Department of Justice has requested Nevada’s voter roll data and other election-related information, like the current voter registration list. It sent similar requests to about two dozen states.
Newsom’s redistricting proposal links rural, conservative Modoc County with liberal Marin — two regions with starkly different economies, cultures and political priorities.
More than a dozen members of Congress are giving up their seats to run this fall or next year.
Two big political blocs have different ideas when it comes to health.
A proposed map would converge three congressional seats at one Kansas City intersection, raising fears of diluted urban representation and legal battles ahead.
Charlie Kirk's murder is part of a thread that runs through American politics today, as well as much of the nation's history.
States introduced far more bills and passed many more into law than Congress has, acting in key areas such as tech, finance and health.
In a heavily Republican area of Missouri, residents credit him for changing the country’s direction.
President Donald Trump's declaration of a crime emergency for Washington, D.C., ends Wednesday. But a city Council member warns that the occupation will not end.
Democrats have put a measure on the November ballot that puts GOP seats at risk. Republicans complain the move is anti-democratic but haven’t settled on messaging yet.