For decades, Republicans typically insisted that local leaders and local governments were the best decision-makers on issues around schools, police and personal freedoms. Meanwhile, Democrats were seen as the party of big government, advocating for federal policies and laws explicitly granting people certain rights.
But in recent years, Republican legislatures have tried to roll back ordinances passed by progressive cities that they ideologically oppose.
It is particularly stark when leaders from blue cities are up against Republican-dominated legislatures. In those cases, advocates worry that voters will lose faith and could stop participating in elections altogether.
But Republicans are not alone in trying to impose their political aims through this kind of preemption. For example, state-mandated minimum wage increases passed by Democratic-led legislatures often conflict with local leaders.
Clarence Anthony of the National League of Cities says many of these types of bills will ultimately fail, but the uptick in state governments trying to restrict the rights and actions of cities is significant.
"One size does not fit all," he says. "Our local leaders were elected to lead their community and to make those decisions."
Biden’s new campaign manager: President Biden has appointed Julie Chávez Rodríguez, granddaughter of famous labor leader César Chávez, as his reelection campaign manager. Most of her work has been outside of the political spotlight, but now she will oversee thousands of staff and volunteers in the 2024 race for the White House.
Treasury’s new debt deadline: Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the government could run out of money as soon as June 1 unless lawmakers raise the debt ceiling. Biden invited House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other Republican and Democratic leaders to the White House to hash things out next week. One of those leaders will be Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell, and he and Biden have a debt limit past. Can they deliver another late-inning save?
Montana state lawmaker sues the House: Rep. Zooey Zephyr, a transgender Democratic member of the Montana House of Representatives, has filed suit in hopes of returning to the floor. She’s currently banned from attending meetings and speaking from the House floor, a punishment handed down by Republicans for her speaking out over legislation restricting gender-affirming care.
2022 midterm turnout: The voter turnout for the 2022 midterm elections was the second highest since 2000. The U.S. Census Bureau found that 52.2% of voting eligible citizens cast their ballot, just shy of the 2018 turnout, which had a 53.4% turnout.
Divide during SCOTUS ethics hearing: Bitter partisan debates between Democrats and Republicans on the Senate Judiciary panel fueled a hearing on Supreme Court ethics Tuesday. Democrats are pushing for a code of conduct for justices, but GOP members accuse Democrats of "selective outrage" to destroy a conservative court.
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A jury in Washington, D.C., this week convicted former Proud Boys chairman Enrique Tarrio and three others of seditious conspiracy. Catch up on the trial and verdict -- which handed the Justice Department a key victory in its Jan. 6 probe.
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Keep a civil tongue.