Legislation
Why Progressive Cities in Conservative States Are Losing Their Political Influence
State lawmakers are increasingly using tactics that suppress progressive legislation being passed in metropolitan areas.
The Democrats' Voting Rights Bill Could End Partisan Gerrymandering. Republicans Won't Let That Happen.
H.R. 1 would transfer the power to draw congressional districts from state legislatures to independent, non-partisan commissions.
At the House's First Hearing on Gun Violence in Eight Years, Survivors and Advocates Filled the Room
Advocates for stricter gun laws and gun-violence survivors showed up to the hearing in force to share their stories and their legislative demands.
The 116th Congress Is the Most Diverse Ever. How Will That Affect Legislation?
Research shows that having more women, more people of color, and more LGBTQ people makes for a more productive, bipartisan, and responsive legislature.
What Will Nancy Pelosi's Return to Speaker of the House Mean for Bipartisanship?
In November, Pelosi agreed to new rules allowing for a more open legislative process, but they may have unintended consequences.
How a New Congress Could Better Address the #MeToo Movement
Congress has not passed any harassment-related legislation beyond cleaning up its own internal process for handling complaints—but that could change as a result of the 2018 mid-terms.
A Legislative Battle Looms Over Arizona's Repressive LGBT Education Laws
It is one of seven states with laws that prohibit the promotion of homosexuality and that expressly forbid teachers of health and sexuality education from discussing LGBT issues in a positive light—if at all.
Repeal of California's Article 34 Would Be a Major Step Toward More Affordable Housing
It's California's original housing sin, a binding not-in-my-backyard clause that has forced municipalities to adopt creative workarounds to build low-income housing.
Dispatches: Five Essential Reads From the Past Week
A collection of some of our most important and timely stories, from a round-up of news about Jerry Brown's final days in office as governor of California to an investigation into what happens to federal grants when scientists are faced with accusations of wrongdoing.
In a Final Round of Signatures and Vetoes, California's Governor Takes Some Legislative Risks
At the end of his last term, Jerry Brown is showing willingness to clash with opposition both within the state and at the national level.
Inside Baltimore's Fight Over Water Privatization
This November, voters in Baltimore will decide on a charter amendment that would ban water system privatization preemptively.
House Representatives From Michigan Introduce a Bill to Address PFAS Contamination
Congress will consider a bill requiring states to work with federal agencies to remove and remediate water contaminated with a dangerous chemical compound.
Instead of Going to Court, Corporations Pay Lobbyists for Favorable Results
Corporations that have higher numbers of employment cases brought against them spend more money on lobbyists, who help influence courts and change labor laws.
The Supreme Court Green-Lighted Gun-Control Legislation
In a 5-4 decision, the SCOTUS blocked a conservative effort to overturn a law that makes it illegal to buy a gun for someone else. While the ruling maintains the status quo by preserving long-standing legislation, it opens the door for stricter limits on gun ownership.
Why We Need to Teach the Evolution 'Controversy'
All good science should aim to convince outsiders that a consensus has been reached without any biases. Even evolution.
Mapping the Laws, Lobbying, and Life-Altering Consequences of Guns
Some recent attempts to quantify the chaos.
Some Presumed 'Opt-Outers' May Spite Themselves
A public option for U.S. health care has been refashioned as a decision for individual states. Might some states most in need spurn the offer?