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Each week, Stateline.org posts commentary by syndicated columnist Neal Peirce and other experts on
state policy. You'll find the latest opinion piece at the top of the list below.
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A historical perspective on state leadership and innovation
By Raymond C. Scheppach, Special to Stateline.org, posted 05/13/2008
The National Governors Association was born 100 years ago this week. In his latest commentary for Stateline.org, NGA Executive Director Raymond C. Scheppach recounts how governors in the past century have played a key role in shaping national policy. Read More
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WORTH NOTING: Illinois treasurer shows his knowledge of charges
By Daniel C. Vock, Stateline.org Staff Writer, posted 05/09/2008
U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) endures a bruising charge from Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias (D). A new Utah law stirs Salt Lake City bartenders to create a new drink. And Louisiana prison guards get outside help to prevent escapes. In case you missed those stories this week, Worth Noting fills you in. Read More
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At-risk gubernatorial seats increase
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org Columnist, posted 05/08/2008
After a pair of hard-fought primaries, North Carolina joins Missouri, Washington and Indiana on Out There's list of states where partisan control of the governorship could flip this fall. Read More
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A 'green' Rx to save carbon: city density + transit
By Neal Peirce, Special to Stateline.org, posted 05/06/2008
Earth Day this year was a lot different from the first observance in 1970. Back then, we faced highly visible smog in the air, towns combatting toxic waste sites, and a Cuyahoga River Read More
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In Pennsylvania, 'tis the season
By G. Terry Madonna & Michael L. Young, Special to Stateline.org, posted 04/25/2008
To everything there is a season, and for a couple of million now well-seasoned Pennsylvania voters, it can not come soon enough. Read More
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Congress encroaching on state priorities
By Raymond C. Scheppach, Special to Stateline.org, posted 04/15/2008
Far scarier than the economic downturn for states is the growing trend on the part of Congress to restrict state revenue and spending prerogatives and to replace them with congressional priorities, writes Raymond C. Scheppach, executive director of the National Governors Association, in his latest commentary for Stateline.org. He cites provisions in two bills now making their way through Congress as important examples. Read More
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The economic downturn: an opportunity for governors?
By Raymond C. Scheppach, Special to Stateline.org, posted 04/02/2008
Most governors recognize that they have the best political job in America. Most also would concede that the job is more satisfying when the economy is strong and revenues are growing than during an economic downturn, when cutting budgets becomes the major task. But even a recession can present opportunities for governors to make improvements that yield lasting benefits for their states. Read More
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Obama - How bad is it for him in Pennsylvania?
By G. Terry Madonna & Michael L. Young, Special to Stateline.org, posted 03/28/2008
In Pennsylvania the springtime weather often changes suddenly. Humorist and satirist Mark Twain was describing New England, but he could have been talking about the Keystone State when he quipped, “ If you don’t like the weather…now, just wait a few minutes.” Read More
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Obama's keys to the keystone state
By G. Terry Madonna & Michael L. Young, Special to Stateline.org, posted 03/22/2008
David Plouffe, campaign manager for Barack Obama, recently shared his views about the upcoming April 22nd Pennsylvania Primary, calling the Clinton campaign “the prohibitive favorite,” who “should win by a healthy margin given where they start….We’ll try and get as many votes and delegates as we can, but our campaign will not be defined by Pennsylvania ….” Read More
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Will Democrats grow legislative edge in '08?
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org Columnist, posted 03/20/2008
For the past several election cycles, the Democrats have been on a roll in legislative elections. This year, the party is well-positioned to hold its majority of chambers — but greatly expanding Democratic control may not be in the cards.
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New clear look at states - no 'rate and run'
By Neal Peirce, Special to Stateline.org, posted 03/18/2008
WASHINGTON - We’ve all seen the stories: some publicity-hungry magazine or web site grabs a bunch of statistics and then purports to “rate” American states on measures ranging from “livability” to child care centers, tax climates to quality of schools. Read More
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Pennsylvania - breaking the checkmate?
By G. Terry Madonna & Michael L. Young, Special to Stateline.org, posted 03/18/2008
Against all odds, contrary to most plans, and confounding to many politicians, it has happened. Pennsylvania is about to play a role in determining the presidential nominees. Read More
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'Purple' states turn a little more 'blue'
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org Columnist, posted 03/06/2008
The national polls point to a tight presidential race in November. But Democrats have a bit more to cheer about than Republicans do, regardless of who wins the Democratic primary, according to the latest state-by-state electoral-vote projections by “Out There.” Read More
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Obama's friends in unlikely places
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org Columnist, posted 02/12/2008
Barack Obama is striking an unlikely connection with voters in the reddest of red states. However the Democratic presidential contest plays out, the Illinois senator has breathed new energy and resources into several long-forsaken state parties. Read More
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Commentary: Govs beat White House hopefuls as agents of change
By Gene Gibbons, Stateline.org Executive Editor, posted 02/06/2008
It took a while for most of the presidential candidates to figure out that voters want “change” and action on a variety of issues that affect their lives. They might have gotten it sooner if they had noticed the way that many states, led by innovative governors, are moving forward in areas like health care, immigration and global warming. Read More
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A tale of two comebacks
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org Columnist , posted 01/30/2008
Not long ago, the approval ratings of California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Alabama Gov. Bob Riley were in the dumps. Both managed to climb back to popularity. Their stories hold lessons for other politicians. Read More
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The recession, the states, and economic stimulus
By Raymond C. Scheppach, Special to Stateline.org, posted 01/28/2008
Red ink in state budgets could prolong the economic downturn and could necessitate a second economic-stimulus package, warns Raymond C. Scheppach, executive director of the National Governors Association, in his latest commentary for Stateline.org. Read More
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AG contests attract serious attention
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org Columnist, posted 01/17/2008
Once, races for state attorney general were quiet affairs. No longer. Attorneys general can wield enormous power in such areas as consumer protection and criminal prosecutions – and can use the job to vault into higher office. Here's how this year's 10 state races for attorney general are shaping up. Read More
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A compact for post-secondary education
By Raymond C. Scheppach, Special to Stateline.org, posted 12/17/2007
The United States is falling behind its global competitors in higher education, and states, educators and the private sector need to jointly make new commitments to strengthen public colleges and universities, asserts Raymond C. Scheppach, executive director of the National Governors Association, in his latest commentary for Stateline.org. Read More
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Iraq casts shadow on 2008 state races
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org Columnist, posted 12/12/2007
Not a single governor or state legislator wields authority over the conduct of the Iraq War, yet a broad range of party strategists and political analysts agree that state races in 2008 will be shaped, mostly indirectly, by public attitudes towards that conflict. Unless there’s a sea change in public opinion, that’s bad news for Republicans. Read More
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W.Va. projects a split personality
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org Columnist, posted 11/29/2007
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The 2008 presidential election will test whether Republican George Bush’s victories were a fluke in the Mountain State, where Democrats continue to dominate in state and local contests. Read More
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Time to think global in testing U.S. students
By Raymond C. Scheppach, Special to Stateline.org, posted 11/19/2007
In today's global economy, it’s less important how students in Iowa or Oregon compare to those in Alabama or Virginia on a national test. What matters most is how students in North Carolina or Texas compare to those in Denmark or Russia, and so on. In his latest column for Stateline.org, the executive director of the National Governors Association writes that the solution to the economic competitiveness challenge is not enacting federal standards or tests for U.S. students. The solution is for the states to work together to adopt internationally benchmarked education standards.
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List of popular govs is full of surprises
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org Columnist, posted 11/15/2007
They may be fish out of water, but most Democratic governors in red states – and Republican governors in blue states – boast off-the-charts popularity. Read More
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Strickland leading Ohio Dems' resurgence
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org Columnist, posted 10/25/2007
COLUMBUS, Ohio – For 16 years, the Ohio Democratic Party verged on hapless. Now, after a GOP scandal, a rookie governor is aggressively leading Democrats into a pivotal election year. Read More
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Bridges, roads: Big problem demands big new talk
By Neal Peirce, Special to Stateline.org, posted 08/19/2007
It's time for a Big New Tax in America. The Minnesota bridge disaster is just the latest signal — but perhaps a decisive one. The indisputable reality is that our national infrastructure, led by decaying roads and bridges, is in perilous shape. Bridges alone tell the story: We have 75,621 of them deemed structurally deficient — potential tragedies waiting to happen. Read More
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Democratic mid-term gains affecting policy
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org columnist, posted 08/02/2007
So complete was the Democratic rout in the 2006 midterm elections that the party even gained legislative influence in Alaska, Idaho, North and South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming – states long dominated by the Republicans. And those gains, though small, are translating into policy achievements. Read More
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