SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " legislative " 524 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
This is a 'sad statement' about where we are in politics in America right now: Speaker Mike Johnson
House Speaker Mike Johnson discusses Congress's busy legislative agenda, including a new reconciliation package, the Save America Act, and the need to reauthorize FISA, on 'Sunday Night in America.'
Washington Journalists Offer Insight on 2026 Political Landscape
At the Federal Legislative and Political Forum Sunday, leading political observers talked about the elections, redistricting and the importance of year-round advocacy.
Emboldened Senate Democrats block even bipartisan bills in hardball approach to counter Trump
The decision by Senate Democrats to let a key surveillance authority lapse comes as they’re increasingly emboldened in their legislative fights against President Donald Trump
Legislative primaries could determine whether business issues take top priority
Voters will decide 23 legislative primaries on June 30. Many pit candidates focused on economic issues with those focused on social issues.
Pro-economic growth policy back in business following primaries, some say
Some in the Republican party are feeling positive about returns from the June 2 primary when it comes to legislative races. Results could indicate a shift in policy and legislative leadership.
Texas Republicans press for local control over spread of AI data centers on first day of convention in Houston
The proposed language by the party’s Legislative Priorities Committee appears to have strong support from rural delegates, but it potentially stands at odds with the priorities of Gov. Greg Abbott and other state leaders.
Florida Chamber rolls out first wave of legislative endorsements
The pro-business group largely backed incumbent Republicans alongside a handful of Democrats.
Chip Roy fields proposal to block pay and power for longtime lawmakers
Rep. Chip Roy proposes ending pay and power for House and Senate lawmakers who serve 12 or more years in their respective legislative chambers.
Social Security is Facing a Political Crisis
On Tuesday the Social Security Trustees released their latest report on the system’s finances. The numbers didn’t change much: Unless something is done, the Old Age Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program, Social Security’s official name, will be unable to pay full benefits starting in either 2032 or 2034, depending on some technical issues. That’s not far away: If the Trustees are right, the prospect of a Social Security crisis will loom over the next presidential administration. It’s important to understand, however, the nature of the looming crisis. It won’t be an economic crisis. It won’t even be a serious fiscal crisis. Whatever you may have heard, Social Security isn’t in danger of going bankrupt. What we’re facing, instead, is potential political crisis. Congress and the White House could easily take action to sustain America’s retirement system. But given the current state of our politics, there’s no guarantee that they will. There is a widespread misunderstanding of how Social Security works. While Social Security was designed to look like a pension fund, it isn’t. A pension fund pays benefits out of a stock of assets it has accumulated over time. In contrast, Social Security operates as a government transfer program, like food stamps or Medicaid. Now, unlike food stamps — but like the highway trust fund — Social Security is on paper supported by a dedicated tax, the payroll tax, that is assigned to that program. But I say “on paper” because from an economic point of view assigning the payroll tax to Social Security is just an accounting convention. What matters for the U.S. economy is the overall balance between government spending and government revenue, not the difference between one type of spending and one source of revenue. So there’s no inherent economic significance to the fact that by 2034 payroll tax receipts will be insufficient to cover promised benefits. There is, however, a legislative issue. As long as the Social Security Administration can pay benefits out of payroll taxes and its cash reserve, there’s no need for Congress to vote each year to authorize benefits — they just keep going out until further notice. However, once those resources become insufficient, benefits will fall —by 17 percent according to the Trustees — unless Congress passes new legislation that “tops up” Social Security’s finances. Yet the current administration and Republican party are such extremists that there is a real risk that Social Security will be held hostage on behalf of their goals. If this should come to pass, the hostage-takers will claim that shoring up Social Security is unaffordable. Right on cue, Mike Johnson, the Trump-sycophant Speaker of the House, declared on Monday that “entitlement programs” like Social Security “have to be adjusted and fixed,” and that Republicans will introduce a plan to that effect next year. But this is a ploy, because while the cost of maintaining Social Security benefits at their promised level isn’t trivial, it is in fact affordable. According to the Trustees’ report, the actuarial balance of OASDI up through 2050 — the amount of additional funds it would need to keep paying full benefits for the next 25 years — is 1.06 percent of GDP. To put that number in perspective, the Trump administration proposes increasing military spending next year by $420 billion, equivalent to about 1.4 percent of GDP – without any discussion of whether that’s affordable Yet how did we get to the point where Social Security will need to be topped up? The main answer is that we have an aging population, with a growing ratio of retirees collecting benefits to workers paying into the system: Trump’s anti-immigration policies are making this problem worse. According to the Trustees’ report, lower immigration will deepen Social Security’s financial hole because many immigrants are working-age adults who will pay into the system for decades before they collect benefits. In fact, this problem may be much bigger than the report acknowledges: The report’s baseline assumption is that we’ll have net immigration of almost 1.2 million people a year, and even the pessimistic case assumes 750,000 a year. Meanwhile actual net immigration has already been cut far below that — and may now be negative. Moreover, Social Security is being financially damaged by growing income inequality in America. Payroll taxes are levied only on wages up to $184,500, and they don’t touch capital income. With the distribution of income increasingly shifting from labor to capital, as well as becoming more unequal among wage-earners, revenue from the Social Security payroll tax has been falling as a share of national income. From 1990 to 2024, it fell from 5.02 percent of gross domestic income to 4.46 percent. Which brings me to the question that, these days, we ask about everything: How might Social Security be affected by the advent of AI? A short answer: If, as many of us fear, AI accelerates rising income inequality, it will further reduce the payroll tax receipts that currently pay for Social Security and further endanger its finances. On the other hand, if AI, as its advocates promise, leads to faster economic growth, it will increase the potential tax base that could and should be used to support Social Security and other social insurance programs. But to take advantage of that larger base, we’ll have to get serious about taxing wealth and capital income. Is Social Security in trouble? Yes, but only because of the way its financing is currently structured — a structure that no longer works well because our society and economy have become so unequal. Moreover, Trump’s immigration policies are further endangering its already deteriorating financial condition. So don’t believe Republicans’ gaslighting that it will be necessary to cut Social Security benefits. All that is necessary to preserve Social Security is political will to raise taxes on the wealthy and a sensible immigration policy. MUSICAL CODA Actually 67 under current law.
Chairman Griffith Delivers Opening Statement at Subcommittee on Health Hearing to Examine Policies to Increase Health Care Transparency for Patients and Employers
The Committee on Energy and Commerce is the oldest standing legislative committee in the U.S. House of Representatives and is vested with the broadest jurisdiction of any congressional authorizing committee.
Could Bill Pulte be a FISA-shaped problem for the Trump Administration?
By tapping an underqualified ally for one of the most sensitive intelligence jobs on Earth, the president is risking a major legislative miss.
Lawmakers continue to discuss potential Wyoming Business Council reforms
During the second meeting, the committee moved to revive the consensus block grant funding program. Plus, the Legislative Service Office (LSO) was directed to draft a bill based on agency recommendations for reforms and removal of underutilized WBC programs.
Dr. Jessica A. Johnson: How race, politics and sports intersect
Toward the end of the spring semester, I sent a final email to students in my Sports Icons class at Ohio State University’s Lima campus regarding the NAACP’s proposed boycott urging Black football players to avoid attending Power 4 conference schools in Southern states that have redrawn their congressional and local legislative districts. I explained […]
Race, politics, sports intersect
Toward the end of the spring semester, I sent a final email to students in my Sports Icons class at Ohio State University’s Lima campus regarding the NAACP’s proposed boycott urging Black football players to avoid attending Power 4 conference schools in Southern states that have redrawn their congressional and local legislative districts. I explained […]
Florida House argues Fair Districts amendment should be tossed in full
If justices toss the language in the aftermath of a Callais decision, that could open the door to legislative redistricting.
Georgia leaders press MARTA on safety ahead of World Cup
Georgia legislative leaders sent a letter on Sunday to MARTA chief executive Jonathan Hunt demanding details on how the agency is protecting riders.
Diana DiZoglio not focused on political aspirations beyond Massachusetts auditor
Entrenched in what she calls a “dumpster fire” amid her fight to conduct the legislative audit, Diana DiZoglio says she is not focused on future political aspirations beyond state auditor.
LABI’s Will Green talks session wins and losses
Louisiana’s top business lobby scored several workforce and economic development wins during the recently concluded 2026 legislative session.
Legislature confirms new judges and more
They confirmed new judges to the bench and passed hundreds of bills
Legislative staff getting extra days off for Independence Day
State leaders say staff deserves extra time off for the holiday following 3 Special Sessions.
MAHA moms test their influence in US glyphosate fight
'Make America Healthy Again' activists see legislative wins, White House disappointments and questions for the midterms.
Ohio GOP leaders differ on whether child marriage should be a 'debate'
Ohio's top Republican legislative leaders differ on whether child marriage deserves a "debate" at the Statehouse.
Senate Republicans drop Trump ballroom funding from immigration bill
Senate Republicans have formally removed funding for President Donald Trump’s ballroom security as part of their sprawling immigration funding package, according to revised legislative text released Wednesday.
Top Georgia politicians rake in cash as lawsuits that could stop them drag
A handful of Georgia politicians raked in millions of dollars during the recent legislative session while most elected officials were prohibited from raising money.
‘Getting things done’: John Taylor swaps mayoral re-election bid for run at HD 109
His candidacy comes amid a broader political reshuffling in Miami-Dade, with multiple legislative seats opening due to term limits, higher-office bids and shifting congressional borders.
Will Trump's waning popularity pull down California Republicans? Today's election offers a clue
Democrats seek to oust even more Republicans in California legislative races. Many will move on to November
Online care is caught in the crossfire as states crack down on corporate medicine
Growing legislative scrutiny across multiple states targets the corporate structure underlying most direct-to-consumer telehealth businesses.
Online care is caught in the crossfire as states crack down on corporate medicine
Growing legislative scrutiny across multiple states targets the corporate structure underlying most direct-to-consumer telehealth businesses.
The Virginia Supreme Court Chose Principle Over Politics: Katherine T. Bennett in RealClearPolicy - American Legislative Exchange Council
RealClearPolicy op-ed by Katherine T. Bennett examines Va. Supreme Court ruling striking a redistricting amendment over constitutional law.
Doctoral students engage in advocacy
Nearly a dozen doctoral students practiced their research communication skills this spring through legislative opportunities in Washington, D.C.
MSU Benefitted From Recent Legislative Session
The recently-completed 2026 regular session of the Mississippi Legislature saw encouraging gains for Mississippi State University, the state’s leading research university, as lawmakers invested in the land-grant institution’s core missions and in the university’s world-class faculty and staff. “While the bulk of our operations saw level funding, I’m extremely pleased that the Mississippi Legislature and […]
Illinois cannabis businesses push for regulatory changes as legislative session winds down
Illinois cannabis dispensary owners are urging lawmakers to ease security and surveillance requirements, arguing the costly regulations are outdated and should be modernized as the state's legal cannabis industry matures.
Ashley Gantt launches campaign to succeed Shevrin Jones in SD 34
The two-term lawmaker will leave her HD 109 seat at the end of this legislative term.
What does the primary’s biggest legislative upset say about the state of Oregon politics?
Some see signs of a leftward shift in state Sen. Janeen Sollman’s defeat. Others see political retribution.
IAM Activists Build Political Power at Weeklong Training Seminar
IAM Union political activists from across North America gathered this week at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center for the IAM Political Education Seminar, a weeklong training focused on strengthening political action, legislative advocacy, member mobilization and worker power. Throughout the week, participants received hands-on training on lobbying elected officials, organizing political campaigns,
Op-Ed: Compromise shouldn’t be a dirty word in Wisconsin politics
Over the past several months, Legislative Republicans and Gov. Tony Evers engaged in serious conversations about how to return Wisconsin’s budget surplus to the taxpayers who sent it to Madison
Legislature votes on final budget bills, Hochul signs some into law
Legislative sources told NY1 they are hoping to finish voting before the week’s end.
Healthcare bills spurred by $50B federal program await Alaska Gov. Dunleavy’s signature
State lawmakers passed two bills on the last day of the legislative session aimed at fulfilling requirements of the federal Rural Health Transformation Program.
DiZoglio, divisive Mass. auditor, has clear reelection path
State Auditor Diana DiZoglio is perceived as controversial, divisive, and, in some legislative offices, loathed. And yet, she has one of the clearest paths to reelection in the state this fall.
Sprinkle list: Lawmakers steer millions toward South Florida projects
Last-minute legislative earmarks sent millions toward South Florida education, healthcare and infrastructure initiatives.
Sports betting industry backs Georgia legislators as it seeks legal gambling
The sports-betting industry is spending big on Georgia legislative elections as it seeks to legalize its product. And many favored candidates won in last week's primaries.
School workers pass first goal post towards health insurance reform in final day of legislative session
On the last day of the Minnesota legislature’s 2026 session, lawmakers voted to fund a data collection project to study the spiraling health insurance costs for Minnesota school districts – a first step in reforming the health insurance program for school district employees as a whole.
Black leaders question Debbie Wasserman Schultz run in CD 20
Shevrin Jones and other members of the Florida Legislative Black Caucus questioned the choice.
From bans to recalls: A public health framework for AI companion bots
Gaia Bernstein discusses the threats that AI pose to public health—especially in children—and how a shift in the framing of legislative solutions could be beneficial.
Chester residents protest Philadelphia trash incineration, cite health impact
Chester residents are protesting Philadelphia's ongoing practice of incinerating its trash in Chester, citing health and environmental concerns, and are pushing for legislative action to stop it.
Illinois is Closed for Business: Alan Jernigan and Joshua Meyer in Center Square - American Legislative Exchange Council
ALEC’s Alan Jernigan and Joshua Meyer examine how Illinois’ anti-growth policies are driving out businesses, residents, and investment.
Election Year Politics Killed Oklahoma’s Eviction Reform Bills, Advocates Say
Oklahoma's tenant protection bills failed this legislative session, leaving renters without new legal remedies against problem landlords. House Bill 2015, which would have given courts power to hold landlords accountable for habitability failures, stalled, as did an eviction timeline extension bill. Advocates blame election-year politics and landlord influence at the Capitol.
Federal judge declines to toss WA legislative maps
A federal judge rejected a renewed Republican challenge to the state’s legislative map, finding no evidence that race was the primary factor in redrawing the boundaries.
MN Capitol deadline: Lawmakers rush to finish business before session ends
The clock is ticking at the Minnesota State Capitol as lawmakers race to pass several high-profile bills before the legislative session ends at midnight.
AMERICA 250: The Tavern, the Print Shop, and the Small Business Roots of America’s Founding - Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council
By Karen Kerrigan – Long before America became a global economic powerhouse, local entrepreneurs and small business owners helped build the civic culture, communication networks, and spirit of independence that made our nation possible. As America marks its 250th anniversary, it is important to note that the nation’s founding was shaped not only in legislative […]
Gov. Tim Walz embraces the politics of compromise in final year at the Capitol
In the last days of his last legislative session, the governor shelved the more progressive elements of his agenda and cut deals that zeroed in on infrastructure, fraud prevention and a distressed health care system.
SC health director out of the job after failing to receive Senate approval
A 1993 law that let the governor hire and fire agency heads meant Edward Simmer's tenure ended with the regular legislative session.
Now streaming: Gov. Lamont and legislative leaders take the stage at HBJ Politics & Policy Forum
The full video of Hartford Business Journal’s second annual Politics & Policy Forum is now available, featuring Gov. Ned Lamont’s preview of a third-term agenda and a pointed panel discussion […]
What crypto’s success means for American politics
The legislative triumph of the crypto industry in the Senate this week may be a Rubicon-crossing moment for the shape of U.S. capitalism.
CT health legislation: Focus on vaccines, Medicaid rates, private equity in 2026
Connecticut lawmakers tackled several long-standing healthcare issues during this year's legislative session. Here's what they passed.
Legislative wrap-up: Lawmakers pass 120 bills in 2026 session
The 2026 legislative session wrapped with lawmakers approving roughly 120 bills, though how many will ultimately be signed by Gov. Jared Polis remains uncertain. Beyond high‑profile debates over artificial intelligence policy and the state budget, legislators advanced major measures on health care, education, immigration, and public safety. Here is an overview of some of the […]
Senators vote to withhold their own pay during future government shutdowns
The bipartisan support for the measure comes at a time when federal closures have become longer and more frequent, frustrating lawmakers who say there should be punishment when Congress fails at its most basic legislative duty.
2026 Colorado legislative analysis: A year in which business concerns were heard | The Sum and Substance
Business groups stopped bills they deemed harmful and passed several proactive measures in a legislative session they should remember fondly.
AI’s rapid growth spurs regulatory reaction in Colorado
The 2026 legislative session was marked by a major push to regulate artificial intelligence, a technology advancing at breakneck speed. Colorado is at the forefront of AI policy, becoming the first state to pursue regulation on “algorithmic discrimination” by passing a law in 2024. Supporters have lauded the legislation, saying it’s necessary to put guardrails […]
AI’s rapid growth spurs major legislative action in Colorado
The 2026 legislative session was marked by lawmakers’ push to establish guardrails on artificial intelligence, a technology advancing at breakneck speed. Colorado has remained at the forefront of AI policy, becoming the first state to pursue comprehensive regulation with Senate Bill 205 in 2024. On the other hand, U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen told Colorado Politics […]
Legislation raising dozens of fees on businesses goes to Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer’s desk
The increases include annual taxes, miscellaneous fees and costs for expedited state services.
Health Hearing: Examining the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, MACRA, and Opportunities for Payment Reforms
The Committee on Energy and Commerce is the oldest standing legislative committee in the U.S. House of Representatives and is vested with the broadest jurisdiction of any congressional authorizing committee.
Health Subcommittee Markup
The Committee on Energy and Commerce is the oldest standing legislative committee in the U.S. House of Representatives and is vested with the broadest jurisdiction of any congressional authorizing committee.
South Carolina state Senate rejects effort to tackle redistricting despite pressure from Trump
Five Republican lawmakers defected and voted against a plan to extend their legislative session in order to carve up the state’s lone Democratic U.S. House district.
Effort to roll back business tax breaks collapses at Colorado Capitol
Colorado Democrats in the final day of the legislative session largely abandoned their plan to reverse a suite of tax breaks for businesses and redirect that money to a new tax credit for lower-income families. ...
NC Republicans have a deal on the long-delayed state budget
Top NC legislative leaders Phil Berger and Destin Hall are set to announce details of a state budget deal this afternoon.
Racial gerrymandering may be here to stay
The Supreme Court has barred considering race when crafting legislative districts. But race could remain embedded in political gerrymandering, despite vehement claims to the contrary.
Why political gerrymandering in the South will likely continue to consider voters’ race despite Supreme Court ruling
The Supreme Court has barred considering race when crafting legislative districts. But race could remain embedded in political gerrymandering, despite vehement claims to the contrary.
Evers, GOP leaders reach $1.8B deal to lower taxes, boost school funds
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Republican legislative leaders have struck a nearly $2 billion deal to deliver new funding to schools and provide tax relief.
MN politics: HCMC funding still in question as legislative session winds down | FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul
With only a week left in the Minnesota legislative session, congressional candidates are securing endorsements ahead of the elections in November. But the issue of funding Hennepin County Medical Center still remains, with the House and Senate offering very different solutions. Political analyst Blois Olson spoke to FOX 9's Leah Beno on the details.
The unfinished business of Sonia Hayes and Mildred Frisby
Maryland Sen. Antonio Hayes reflects on the enduring influence of his mother, Sonia Hayes, and grandmother, Mildred Frisby, in a heartfelt Mother’s Day commentary about resilience, sacrifice and public service. Drawing from his upbringing in West Baltimore’s Penn North community, Hayes connects his legislative work to the struggles and hopes of the women who shaped his life and inspired his commitment to improving Baltimore neighborhoods.
WA filing week closes as Democrats chase supermajority in Olympia
Washington state's candidate filing week sets up key legislative races as Democrats look to expand control and potentially secure a supermajority.
A State Budget That Speaks to a New Political Reality
Gov. Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders announced a handshake deal on a budget that includes a second-home tax, expanded child care in the city and a ban on ICE agents’ wearing of masks.
Deal or no deal? Gov. Hochul says pencils down, Albany Democrats say not so fast
Rep. Jeffries sent Rep. Morelle to meet with Hochul and legislative leaders.
FBI raids Sen. Louise Lucas’ Portsmouth office, cannabis business
Federal agents on Wednesday morning raided the Portsmouth office of state Sen. Louise Lucas, one of Virginia’s most powerful Democratic lawmakers, with multiple news outlets reporting an extensive law enforcement operation that included FBI agents, SWAT teams and court-authorized searches tied to several locations across the commonwealth.Fox News, who was first to report the news, said the FBI executed search warrants at several sites, including Lucas’ legislative office in Portsmouth. Staffers inside the building were ordered outside and were not allowed to re-enter as agents searched the premises. Witnesses saw federal agents carrying boxes out of the building.
Hochul shoulders redistricting fight despite late state budget
Rep. Jeffries sent Rep. Morelle to meet with Hochul and legislative leaders.
Business groups see mixed results as 2026 legislative session nears end
Officials with two of the state’s largest business organizations say the 2026 legislative session delivered a mixed bag for Connecticut employers, with a combination of policy wins, missed opportunities and measures they say could hinder economic growth.
Lawmakers break ground on Wyoming Business Council reform effort
The state's top economic development shop narrowly avoided a legislative effort to defund and dismantle it earlier this year.
These Black maternal health groups laid groundwork for perinatal grants, then they were left out
The work they helped lead has garnered state dollars, legislative support and public praise, but their community-rooted organizations weren’t selected to reap any of the funds.
Legislative Dems follow highway robbery with blackmail
By Byron Pelton My colleagues across the aisle have revealed something extraordinary in their frantic attempt to get rid of Initiative 175: They believe Colorado voters are too stupid to notice their vote will be thrown out in furtherance of their elected representatives’ budget shell game. For more than a decade, the Democratic majority has […]
Colorado lawmakers advance rewrite of 2024 law to regulate artificial intelligence
With just nine days left in the 2026 legislative session, a revised proposal to amend the 2024 artificial‑intelligence law is finally advancing — even though it’s not the bill Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez had hoped for. Senate Bill 189, which largely mirrors a draft bill written by a governor-appointed task force, was introduced in […]
Redistricting war accelerates winner-take-all politics straining American democracy
The arcane art of drawing legislative lines is the most powerful tool that politicians have for gaming elections.
Times Opinion: Corporations spend big in Florida politics
Before Florida's legislative session began in January, corporations, political committees and lobbyists showered the accounts of some of the state's most influential lawmakers with a fresh $14 million in a single day.
Lansing Latino legislative advocacy event brings labor issues, maternal health into focus
In the basement of a church in downtown Lansing, members of Michigan’s Latin community grappled with policy and bold ideas that could help them protect their civil rights and attain tangible political power statewide. On Thursday, MI Poder, a nonprofit organization dedicated to amplifying Latinx grassroots efforts and justice-driven policy change, hosted its fourth-annual Latino […]
Politics Friday: Taking stock of Minnesota's session, campaign as May decision points near
May will be a critical month for state lawmakers and for candidates for a range of Minnesota elective offices. The end of the legislative session and the state party endorsing conventions are closing in. Friday at noon, we’ll check in on both.
Legislature's adviser tries budget tough love to get California politicians to close huge deficits
Legislative Analyst Gabe Petek says state spending grew by $100 billion or so a year since 2019, outstripping revenues and resulting in current and future deficits.
FRESH and Affordable Foods Act Would Rightly Establish a Uniform, Science-Based Standard for Food Safety - Americans for Tax Reform
Yesterday, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce held a hearing entitled “Healthier America: Legislative Proposals on the Regulation and Oversight of
Incumbent Democrat resigns, leaving a vacancy in one of the Triangle's most competitive NC Senate districts
Democratic N.C. Sen. Terence Everitt announced Tuesday night that he's resigning his seat and dropping out of one of this year's most hotly contested legislative races.
Major business group warns proposed CA billionaire tax in could give more taxing power to lawmakers
A proposed California billionaire tax, which would impose a one-time 5% tax on billionaires and their assets to fund health care programs, is facing scrutiny from a major business group over concerns about legislative power.
CT business group warns changes to workforce bill would raise costs, liability
A broad amendment to a major workforce bill proposed during the state’s current legislative session is drawing pushback from business leaders, who warn the expanded proposal could increase costs and legal risks for employers in the state.
So far, Florida has failed to end vaccine mandates. Now there's a last-ditch effort
Florida Republicans have pushed hard to drop some vaccine requirements for children. But after many months, their efforts stalled out. Could this week's special legislative session get the job done?
With three weeks left in Missouri legislative session, what unfinished business is there?
The countdown is on for the Missouri Legislature. State lawmakers have three weeks remaining this second session of the 103rd General Assembly. So far, they have passed 19 policy bills. Buckle up: they still have plenty of unfinished business. Which key bills are lingering? •The main focus is to pass a $50 billion state budget […]
Politics: Iowa Legislature budget agreement could mark session end
After Iowa lawmakers stopped receiving their per-diem pay on Tuesday of last week, questions linger over just how long the 2026 legislative session could last.
Churn in the Statehouse should make for interesting, and crowded, legislative races
With five state senators and 19 House members either retiring or running for other offices in 2026, there will be significant Statehouse turnover come 2027, which means you don’t have to look too far down the ballot to find interesting battles in the primaries.
How Rhode Island’s Labor Movement Made Its Weight Felt in Politics
Over the last decade Rhode Island has been a hotbed of progressive, pro-worker legislation. But it wasn’t always this way. It took years of proactive organizing by the labor movement on legislative
Rural health task force meets for first time to lay out how to handle new federal money
The Rural Health Transformation Task Force meeting for the first time in the 2026 legislative interim. Hearing an overview of the program they're charged with o
It’s time Colorado built back to affordability
By Samuel G. Michael The price of calling Colorado home has climbed faster than its fourteeners, and not everyone can keep up. Our beloved state is an increasingly unaffordable place to live, pricing out the very people who make it thrive. Without decisive legislative action, we risk losing the essence of what makes Colorado special. […]
Shaky political science: using "simulated" elections over real-world elections
[Dear DSOS readers – this article is the latest in our “Shaky Political Science” series. In our 38 page report, “Shaky political ‘science’ misses mark on ranked choice voting,” released in early December, we examined over 40 studies focused on ranked choice voting. We found that many of these studies suffered from puzzling research methodologies, poorly constructed surveys, unrealistic simulated elections, cherry picked data, and faulty analyses that often were contradicted by results from real-world elections (a link to our full paper is here). Here are links to the first three articles in our series: the first one summarizing the overall results of our report, the second one analyzing a study co-authored by University of Minnesota academic Larry Jacobs, which was one of the most error-prone of all the research we reviewed in our report, and a third article showing an admirable example of two political scientists holding two other political scientists accountable for their flawed, sloppy research]. In this fourth article in our “Shaky Political Science” series, we shine a spotlight on seven studies that were web-hosted and funded by New America’s Political Reform Program and its Electoral Reform Research Group (the ERRG is an ad hoc committee headed by New America’s Political Reform Program and joined by the American Enterprise Institute, the Unite America Institute and Stanford University’s Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law). This research consortium has been led by Lee Drutman, senior fellow with New America’s Political Reform Program. These seven studies are simply not credible from any objective standard about how political “science” is supposed to illuminate our understanding of either ranked choice voting or politics in general. The feature that six of these seven studies have in common is that they all used surveys – artificial, simulated elections -- to attempt to say something cogent or interesting about ranked choice voting (RCV) elections. None of them used real world data from actual RCV elections – either the 1000+ elections in the US or the many thousands of elections from places like Australia, Ireland and elsewhere where RCV has been used for 100 years. While a few of these studies conclude with some mixed positives about RCV, our analysis here is content neutral. The idea that, with a political reform like RCV, you can ask respondents in a mock, artificial election to vote with that method, with only the barest of explanation about how RCV works or its likely impacts (i.e. no spoiler candidates, majority winners, voters liberated to pick their favorite candidates, coalition-building), and then ask them their thoughts/reactions about voting in that system, with fake candidates and no real campaigning, no real exposure to an actual election or actual candidates, rests on some very puzzling assumptions. The findings of these seven studies actually are contradicted by the findings from many other studies based on real-world RCV elections. These New America studies also failed to list the real-world RCV studies in their own citations, instead including those studies that reinforced their conclusions. The seven studies featured in this article were chosen because they form a cohesive cohort which precisely illustrates one of the main points of our research paper, namely that using surveys, i.e. artificial elections, or mathematical/theoretical models, instead of real-world data, is in fact “shaky political science.” Below are summaries of our analysis of five of the seven New America studies. You can read our complete analysis of all seven studies at our paper, “Shaky political ‘science’ misses mark on ranked choice voting.” Choosing to “Vote As Usual” by Andre Blais, Carolina Plescia, and Semra Sevi. New America. (Blais et al., 2021). This study, web-hosted and funded by New America’s Political Reform Program and its Electoral Reform Research Group, used two surveys in which respondents completed ballots for simulated elections using plurality, approval, RCV and point (Score) voting. In both cases the authors provided the respondents with only minimal explanation of each method. For example, the entire explanation for RCV was “For this vote, rank the candidates from your first to your last choice (you do not need to rank them all). This is called the ranked vote.” That’s it. The study did not provide any context or explanation to survey respondents about why she/he might want to rank multiple candidates. Participants were not even told that ballots would be tabulated using an “instant” runoff, not to mention any description of RCVs ability to eliminate the spoiler effect or liberate voters to rank their favorite candidates without fear of helping the “greater evil” candidate to win. That’s like taking an iPhone back in time to 1970 and asking someone if they like it better than their rotary phone without explaining how it works. Their first survey targeted states that held 2020 Super Tuesday Democratic primaries and used the real candidates’ names in the survey; the second survey used fictitious candidates. In other words, they surveyed respondents who had only ever participated in plurality elections, had no history or background with using RCV or any of the other methods, had no clue about its likely impacts, and did not communicate how the alternative methods would be counted, and then asked them: “How satisfied are you with using each system?” Predictably, the winner was plurality elections, the system used for president, Congress, gubernatorial and state legislative elections – in other words, the method they have been using, year after year, all their voting lives. With so little explanation of RCV and its impacts, this study is simply not credible in discovering anything useful about real-world RCV elections. It merely shows that a basic voter education campaign is needed when adopting a new election system. Additionally, the result contradicts many other post-election surveys following real RCV elections, asking opinions from voters who had just participated in a RCV election, that showed a great deal of satisfaction with RCV (see details on that in Studies 22-25 in our paper, as well as the four studies cited in the review for Study 28). Share Other studies on “satisfaction” and “understanding” make similar mistakes, in terms of basing their surveys on inadequate explanation to respondents and lack of education about context. How could any survey ever hope to measure accurately, in essence simulate a real-world election, without actual campaigning candidates, the media writing about those candidates, organizations endorsing candidates and voters being inundated with crucial information? More than anything, what these “studies” based on surveys show is that if you ask voters about something they don’t know very much about, and fail to adequately educate them, their responses will unsurprisingly reflect their confusion. Equally puzzling is that New America’s Electoral Reform Research Group, headed by political scientist Lee Drutman, found this to be a credible enough study that they not only published it but highlighted it in Drutman’s own discussion of research related to ranked choice voting. This pattern was repeated in study after study featured by New America’s Electoral Reform Research Group. For example in Ranked-Choice Voting and Political Expression: Voter Guides Narrow the Gap between Informed and Uninformed Citizens by Cheryl Boudreau, Jonathan Colner, and Scott MacKenzie, the researchers based their analysis on a survey which found that respondents who were asked to vote in a simulated RCV election, with minimal explanation of RCV or how it works, displayed less evidence of being informed about how to use RCV effectively, with the least informed voters ranking fewer candidates. As pointed out under the study above, in a real election voters are informed by a wide variety of methods, including public education by the election administration, by interested political groups, the media, and the candidates themselves who benefit from voters being aware of how to vote in the new system. In Support for Ranked-Choice Voting across Race and Partisanship by Joseph Anthony, David C. Kimball, Jack Santucci and Jamil Scott, the researchers used respondents from different parties and races voting in simulated plurality and RCV elections, who indicated their satisfaction with each voting method. Instead of using real world election results, the authors fell back on the easy, armchair and less reliable academic research methodology of making up mock elections. As with the other studies, little explanation was given of how RCV works or what its implications might be (electing majority winners or eliminating spoilers, for example). Unsurprisingly, this study found that respondents were not very satisfied with RCV. However, when the authors added an explanation that RCV has a tendency to elect more women and people of color, they found that this greater explanation increased the preference for RCV. The more voters were familiar with it, and the more they understood potential positive impacts – surprise! -- the more they were open to switching away from the status quo. Of note, the results from this study are thoroughly contradicted by a number of other studies whose data was obtained from real RCV elections with real voters. Those studies show a great deal of satisfaction with RCV. More “fake election” research An interesting wrinkle on this “research by fake elections” approach, which only served to illustrate how unreliable such “research” can become, was taken in Ranked-Choice Voting, Runoff, and Democracy: Insights from Maine and Other U.S. States by Joseph Cerrone and Cynthia McClintock_,_ also web-hosted and funded by New America’s ERRG. It gets high marks for creativity, but an eye-roll for thinking this could possibly add anything meaningful to our understanding of real world RCV elections. This study tried to determine whether RCV, plurality or two-round runoff elections provided greater voter satisfaction and acceptance of election results. To determine that, the authors conducted a survey asking if voters were satisfied with a fictional newspaper report of an election, with three different versions given to respondents – plurality, runoff and RCV, with variations of Republican/Democrat winners and variations of “come-from-behind” winners,” i.e. candidates not initially in first place but who win the “runoff.” Again, a minimal explanation of RCV or how it works was given, and the survey showed that respondents had the greatest unfamiliarity with RCV than the other methods. The unsurprising result? Respondents were much more satisfied with “come-from-behind” victories in a traditional two-round runoff election than in RCV, even though RCV is also a runoff system but with a single round of counting. Interestingly, the dissatisfaction with RCV disappeared for those who were more familiar with RCV. In fact, among those respondents who were “very familiar” with RCV, they were equally satisfied with RCV, runoff and plurality. Surprise, surprise. Again, what this study revealed, more than anything, is not only the inadequacy of the explanation for RCV given by the authors of this study, but the failure of the research format itself, thinking that such an artificial mock election could somehow simulate what actually happens in the real world in a real RCV election. Those four studies reviewed above are fitting examples of inadequate and shaky political “science.” Other studies reviewed in our paper from the New America/Electoral Reform Research Group cohort which also used mock elections included: Ranked-Choice Voting is an Acquired Taste by Joseph Anthony and David C. Kimball. New America. (Anthony et al., 2021). Ranked-Choice Voting is No Refuge for Extreme Candidates by Melissa Baker. New America. (Baker, 2021). Also included in this New America cohort is Does Ranked-Choice Voting Reduce Racial Polarization? by Yuki Atsusaka and Theodore Landsman, which actually did use real-world election results data but applied an odd and unconventional methodology to the data which relied on shaky assumptions and non-real-world scenarios that were too divorced from reality. To determine levels of “racially polarized voting,” the researchers imagined “ethnic parties,” by which they mean political parties for each ethnic group, which was especially odd since the election data they were using came from nonpartisan RCV races. But then they made an even odder assumption, namely that since race and ethnic characteristics of studied voters were not available, the authors tried to infer that information based on who voters selected and the racial make-up of voters in each district. This amounted to little more than vague and ambiguous guesswork dressed up with a bunch of mathematical equations used to give it a veneer of scientific appearance. Indeed, it seemed to assume racial polarization in order to prove racial polarization. Based on this questionable methodology, the authors concluded that RCV doesn’t reduce racial polarization. But the premise of this study missed an obvious reality: since RCV incentivizes more candidates to run and can result in more diverse fields of candidates, one would expect more racially-polarized voting in voters’ top rankings, not less, because more voters would have someone on that ballot who represents their racial or ethnic identity and more freedom to vote for their real first choice. By encouraging more diverse candidates and eliminating the spoiler effect, RCV facilitates voting for a favorite candidate of your own race and then selecting a second choice with the best likelihood of winning. The real measure is what voters do with their additional rankings – do they consider other candidates and vote “for the best of the rest”? This study didn’t tell us anything useful about that. But readily available data shows this is common in real RCV elections, and candidates act on this knowledge by engaging with voters outside their racial group. So the authors of this study failed to consider or account for what actually happens in real-world elections, and their conclusions are tainted by this failure. New America has contributed a great deal over the past 2.5 decades to our understanding of many policy areas, including politics and political reform (full disclosure: Steven Hill, one of the authors of this article and of the “Shaky Political Science” research paper and series, is a former senior fellow and former director of New America’s political reform program, 2005-2010). So it was especially disappointing that New America funded and published such a large batch of dubious studies about ranked choice voting. The stated praiseworthy goal of its Electoral Reform Research Group was to inspire new academic research about ranked choice voting that would shed light and help the public better understand the impacts of RCV. Instead, the ERRG research did just the opposite. It produced dubious research that created more confusion and misinformation. In so doing, New America’s political reform program contributed to “shaky political science.” Steven Hill and Paul Haughey Share Upgrade to $5 subscription Thanks for reading DemocracySOS, a reader-supported digital portal for the pro-democracy movement. Subscribe for only $5 per month to receive full benefits and to support our work. Subscribe
Johnson faces political gauntlet as legislative fights collide
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is barreling toward a brutal end-of-the-month crunch, juggling a slate of high-stakes legislative fights with intensifying calls for one of his members to step down and…