state legislatures

States like Colorado have polarized—but productive—legislatures. Term limits and relatively weak lobbying interests help explain the phenomenon.

A new study finds that state laws sent a strong message about how norms were changing—and homophobia declined as a result.

If rent-control measures pass in all of the states and cities where they're currently on the table, nearly a third of all renter households in the United States could secure relief.

In many states, laws and ethics rules allow representatives to advance bills that would benefit their own financial interests.

The New York state legislature voted nearly unanimously Tuesday to appoint Barbara Underwood to serve as the state's attorney general, making her the first woman to hold the position.

Mayors across the state are subject to a state law that threatens harsh penalties for municipalities that attempt to pass any of their own restrictions on firearms.

The trick is to hold legislatures accountable, even when the system is oriented around individual legislators.

Despite protests in New York and beyond, police reform is in a dismal state.

Fielding candidates in unfavorable districts might seem like a waste of precious resources to a party—and most of the time, it is—but it's also a responsibility.

Having a decent number of staffers available gives state legislators a better ability to make competent, independent decisions and to resist the influence of other actors.

The way we vote means that the political fortunes of state legislators hinge on events outside of their state and their control.