All articles tagged with #state politics
Bruce Blakeman trails Gov. Kathy Hochul by double digits as fundraising gaps, a late campaign start, and ties to Trump complicate the NY GOP’s bid to replicate Zeldin’s near-win; Democrats have launched a seven-figure ad campaign and seek to deny public matching funds, while Hochul builds a robust campaign infrastructure in a deeply blue state.
Democrat-led Washington state Senate approved a 9.9% income tax on residents earning over $1 million to fund education, prisons, universal school lunches and other programs, with Gov. Ferguson expected to sign. Supporters cite budget pressures and public sentiment, while critics warn about potential business impact and legal challenges, including a ballot repeal effort and constitutional questions around how income is treated.
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson says he will sign the latest version of the proposed millionaire income tax, which would levy 9.9% on earnings over $1 million and redirect revenue to benefits like a expanded Working Families Tax Credit, free school meals for all students, OTC medicine sales-tax exemption, and childcare accounts, aiming to bolster families and small businesses; Democrats praise the changes while Republicans push back, and the bill still must pass both the House and Senate before signature.
With seven days left in Florida's 60-day 2026 session, a budget stalemate between the House and Senate and simmering tensions with Gov. Ron DeSantis threaten to derail top priorities (including AI regulation) as lawmakers prepare for redistricting and a looming property-tax special session; even as some bills pass, the session is expected to end without major agreements, highlighting ongoing divisions and affordability concerns for residents.
Democrat Taylor Rehmet won a Texas state Senate special election in a Fort Worth–area district, flipping a seat that Trump carried by 17 points in 2024. Backed by national groups including the DNC and VoteVets, the victory signals Democratic strength in certain GOP-leaning districts during special elections, though Rehmet will serve only until January and must win the November general election to secure a full four-year term as Republicans retain a comfortable Senate majority.
Rep. Byron Donalds, backed by President Trump, leads Florida’s GOP gubernatorial primary with seven months to go, turning the contest into a race for second as DeSantis’ endorsement remains uncertain. High-profile rivals like Jay Collins and Paul Renner have entered the field but polls still show them in single digits, while hypothetical matchups with Florida’s first lady suggest Donalds would win decisively. Donalds’ fundraising (~$45 million), name ID, and a strong campaign team bolster his front-runner position, though opponents argue the race could tighten and scrutinize Donalds’ finances, his wife’s charter-school business, and past associations. DeSantis allies are divided on endorsements, with some suggesting Renner as a credible alternative; the dynamic remains fluid as campaigns eye late developments and potential new entrants into the race.
Two special elections in Minnesota gave Democrats two seats and left the House evenly split at 67-67; the state faces intensified immigration enforcement tensions, including fatalities and lawsuits, while Democrats control the Senate and governorship but must seek Republican support to advance their agenda.
A Virginia judge ruled that a Democrats’ redistricting resolution is illegal, adding another hurdle to the state’s efforts to redraw legislative maps amid ongoing political battles and election dynamics.
A Virginia circuit court blocked Democrats’ plan to redraw the state’s congressional map this year, ruling they bypassed proper procedures to approve a constitutional amendment and failed to meet notice and voting requirements in a special-session move; the ruling, if upheld on appeal, could prevent the mid-decade redistricting and potentially cost Democrats up to four seats in the 2026 midterms; Republicans hailed it as upholding the rule of law, while Democrats pledged to appeal and press ahead with map changes.
Mikie Sherrill was sworn in as New Jersey’s 57th governor and immediately issued executive orders to curb rising utility costs and expand energy supplies, framing her term as a push for affordability and a bulwark against Trump-era policies. The former congresswoman also faces a looming budget deficit of more than $1 billion as she charts a course with running mate Dale Caldwell, who was sworn in as secretary of state, with the inauguration held in Newark to emphasize outreach to diverse communities.
Democrat Abigail Spanberger was sworn in as Virginia's first female governor, signaling a new Democratic era in the commonwealth as Hashmi and Jay Jones were sworn in as lieutenant governor and attorney general, while Democrats gained seats in the House of Delegates and pledged to redraw the state's congressional map ahead of midterms.
A proposed one-time wealth tax on California billionaires is squeezing the state’s Democratic coalition, straining unions and top donors while pitting Gov. Gavin Newsom against the measure. Some prominent Democrats and labor leaders back the idea as a tool to curb inequality, while others fear economic disruption and political backlash that could affect national and 2028 races. The proposal faces signature collection for the November ballot amid warnings of capital flight and revenue shortfalls, underscoring a high-stakes fight over how far the party should go to tax the ultra-wealthy.
With Gov. Ron DeSantis’ eight-year tenure ending, Florida’s closing legislative session looks likely to be messy as House–Senate clashes complicate an ambitious agenda: pushing a multibillion-dollar property-tax overhaul onto the November ballot, pursuing mid-decade redistricting in a special session, and advancing AI guardrails along with vaccine-mandate rollbacks—all of which could shape his legacy and his near-certain 2024 presidential bid amid a shifting GOP power dynamic.
The Texas Department of Public Safety has compiled a list of over 100 transgender individuals who attempted to update their gender on driver's licenses between August 2024 and August 2025, raising concerns about privacy and potential impacts on transgender rights amid recent restrictive laws in the state.
Pennsylvania's lawmakers and Gov. Josh Shapiro have approved a $50.1 billion state budget, ending a four-month impasse. The budget, the largest in state history, includes increased funding for public schools, investments in education, and the end of efforts to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, with bipartisan support. However, it does not fund mass transit, and the delay has impacted counties, schools, and nonprofits.