NPR Series: Who controls the states? https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=g-s1-25185 State Legislatures make laws on abortion, schools, guns, taxes and they're up for grabs this election en Copyright 2024 NPR - For Personal Use Only Story API Shim 1.2.24 Tue, 15 Apr 2025 22:13:06 -0400 https://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/primary/npr_generic_image_300.jpg?s=200 NPR Series: Who controls the states? https://www.npr.org/series/g-s1-25185/who-controls-the-states Post election: Control of more state legislatures will be split between 2 parties Despite outspending Republicans, Democrats didn't achieve some ambitious goals in state legislative races. They lost power in Michigan and Minnesota, making some gains in Wisconsin and North Carolina. Fri, 08 Nov 2024 05:13:20 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2024/11/08/nx-s1-5183096/post-election-control-of-more-state-legislatures-will-be-split-between-2-parties https://www.npr.org/2024/11/08/nx-s1-5183096/post-election-control-of-more-state-legislatures-will-be-split-between-2-parties Despite outspending Republicans, Democrats didn't achieve some ambitious goals in state legislative races. They lost power in Michigan and Minnesota, making some gains in Wisconsin and North Carolina.

]]> Ryland Barton These down-ballot races could lead to big changes in your state Tue, 05 Nov 2024 22:27:12 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2024/11/05/g-s1-32744/these-down-ballot-races-can-lead-to-big-changes-in-your-state https://www.npr.org/2024/11/05/g-s1-32744/these-down-ballot-races-can-lead-to-big-changes-in-your-state

(Image credit: Juweek Adolphe, Ryland Barton, Larry Kaplow and Acacia Squires)

]]> Ryland Barton Democrats in Kansas hope to end Republicans' reign in the state legislature Abortion restrictions, taxes and everyday issues are among the laws Kansas Republicans have imposed through their "supermajority" in the Legislature. Democrats aim to end its reign. Mon, 07 Oct 2024 18:16:17 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2024/10/07/nx-s1-5100906/democrats-in-kansas-hope-to-end-republicans-reign-in-the-state-legislature https://www.npr.org/2024/10/07/nx-s1-5100906/democrats-in-kansas-hope-to-end-republicans-reign-in-the-state-legislature Abortion restrictions, taxes and everyday issues are among the laws Kansas Republicans have imposed through their "supermajority" in the Legislature. Democrats aim to end its reign.

]]> Zane Irwin Minnesota GOP aims to undo Walz's progressive policies ahead of state house election State house elections this fall will determine whether Minnesota continues to pass progressive laws on abortion and health care or if the GOP can stem the trend led by Gov. Tim Walz. Sat, 05 Oct 2024 07:59:11 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2024/10/05/nx-s1-5114271/minnesota-gop-aims-to-undo-walzs-progressive-policies-ahead-of-state-house-election https://www.npr.org/2024/10/05/nx-s1-5114271/minnesota-gop-aims-to-undo-walzs-progressive-policies-ahead-of-state-house-election State house elections this fall will determine whether Minnesota continues to pass progressive laws on abortion and health care or if the GOP can stem the trend led by Gov. Tim Walz.

]]> Dana Ferguson Three states show how abortion, schools and taxes are at stake in legislature races New legislatures could overhaul school vouchers in Arizona, give the Democratic governor more clout in Kansas, and counter a progressive trend in Minnesota. Sat, 05 Oct 2024 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2024/10/05/nx-s1-5124638/state-legislature-supermajority-kansas-arizona-minnesota-elections https://www.npr.org/2024/10/05/nx-s1-5124638/state-legislature-supermajority-kansas-arizona-minnesota-elections

New legislatures could overhaul school vouchers in Arizona, give the Democratic governor more clout in Kansas, and counter a progressive trend in Minnesota.

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]]> Wayne Schutsky In swing-state Wisconsin, new districts threaten the GOP hold on the Legislature Wisconsin has long been a presidential swing state, but thanks to new maps, it's now also a potential swing state for the legislature for the first time in 15 years. Fri, 04 Oct 2024 12:46:57 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2024/10/04/nx-s1-5108996/wisconsin-election-voting-legislature https://www.npr.org/2024/10/04/nx-s1-5108996/wisconsin-election-voting-legislature

Wisconsin has long been a presidential swing state, but thanks to new maps, it's now also a potential swing state for the legislature for the first time in 15 years.

(Image credit: Angela Major)

]]> Shawn Johnson School vouchers are one example of the stakes in legislative elections The November election in Arizona could determine whether a rapidly expanding school voucher program is reined in by the Legislature. That's the goal Democrats have -- if they can get a majority. Fri, 04 Oct 2024 08:04:46 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2024/10/04/nx-s1-5100893/if-arizona-democrats-win-the-legislature-they-could-change-school-voucher-system https://www.npr.org/2024/10/04/nx-s1-5100893/if-arizona-democrats-win-the-legislature-they-could-change-school-voucher-system The November election in Arizona could determine whether a rapidly expanding school voucher program is reined in by the Legislature. That's the goal Democrats have -- if they can get a majority.

]]> Wayne Schutsky Tired of presidential politics? Here's where power could shift in state capitols too With so much focus on the presidential election, keep in mind these down-ballot races can lead to big changes in your state when it comes to policies like abortion, health care and criminal justice. Thu, 03 Oct 2024 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2024/10/02/nx-s1-5129659/abortion-election-michigan-arizona-minnesota https://www.npr.org/2024/10/02/nx-s1-5129659/abortion-election-michigan-arizona-minnesota

With so much focus on the presidential election, keep in mind these down-ballot races can lead to big changes in your state when it comes to policies like abortion, health care and criminal justice.

(Image credit: Rebecca Noble)

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