Connecticut chief justice defeat becomes election year issue

The Connecticut Senate's rejection Tuesday of Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's State Supreme Court chief justice nominee, mostly along partisan lines, set off political reverberations in a state where an open governor's seat and control of the General Assembly are at stake in November. State Democrats and various candidates pounced on the 19-16 vote opposing the confirmation of Associate Justice Andrew McDonald as the high court's top justice, linking Connecticut Republicans with President Donald Trump and Washington Republicans.

Cynthia Nixon blasts Cuomo as ‘bully,’ ‘wannabe Republican’

Actress Cynthia Nixon blasted Gov. Andrew Cuomo as a bully and a "wannabe Republican" Monday during her first visit to Albany since announcing her bid for New York governor. The "Sex and the City" star and public education advocate criticized the two-term governor for not doing enough to ensure equal opportunities for poor and minority students.

Rick Scott teases a ‘big announcement’ amid Florida Senate speculation

Florida Gov. Rick Scott is teasing a "big announcement" on April 9, fueling long-running speculation that he will launch a Senate bid to challenge incumbent Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson in November. Scott has long been courted by national Republicans to run against Nelson and President Donald Trump himself said last year he hopes Scott runs for the Senate.

Governor spares life of man who killed woman in robbery

Ohio Gov. John Kasich Monday spared a condemned killer who was set to die April 11 for fatally shooting a woman more than three decades ago during a robbery after questions were raised about discrepancies in the case and the fairness of the trial. The Republican governor's release said his decision followed the report and recommendation of the Ohio Parole Board, which voted 6-4 on March 16 in favor of clemency for death row inmate William Montgomery.

Iowa governor fires ally over sexual harassment allegations

Gov. Kim Reynolds said Monday she abruptly fired one of her longtime political allies after her staff received allegations that the official had sexually harassed multiple employees. The Republican governor told reporters she learned about "credible" complaints of misconduct by Iowa Finance Authority director David Jamison on Friday night.

States: Federal money for opioid crisis a small step forward

The federal government will spend a record $4.6 billion this year to fight the nation's deepening opioid crisis, which killed 42,000 Americans in 2016. But some advocates say the funding included in the spending plan the president signed Friday is not nearly enough to establish the kind of treatment system needed to reverse the crisis.

Kasich: GOP Should Be Wary of Protesters’ Rising Tide

Republicans should be worried about young Democratic voters who are energized to vote in the midterm elections, Ohio GOP Gov. John Kasich said Sunday. In an interview on CNN's "State of the Union," Kasich said massive protests advocating gun control Saturday show younger voters might defy their usual pattern of low turnout in off-year elections.

DA McMahon pushing for bill to allow judges to disarm ‘dangerous’ people

Richmond County District Attorney Michael E. McMahon is among a contingent of city prosecutors pushing for a bill that would allow judges to take firearms away from people who could potentially harm themselves or others. bill as part of the 2018-19 budget.

March 25: Cynthia Nixon, snowstorm parking and Putin’s win

Bronx: While I support women running for office and voted for Hillary Clinton, I don't support Cynthia Nixon's challenge to our governor, Andrew Cuomo. At a time when we have an inexperienced, corrupt reality star in the White House who is systematically tearing down the very fabric of society, we need to have experienced state and local elected officials like Cuomo as a check against this incompetent now inhabiting the White House.

Villa Rica development bill ready for governor

Villa Rica and Douglasville may be on the verge of a new era of development, thanks to two pieces of legislation that are now headed to the desk of Gov. Nathan Deal. Two separate bills authorizing referenda to create Tax Allocation Districts in both communities have now cleared both houses of the General Assembly.

Analysis: GOP in control, but Dems’ budget priorities are

Flanked by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis , Vice President Mike Pence and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, President Trump discusses the $1.3 trillion spending bill he signed. Flanked by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis , Vice President Mike Pence and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, President Trump discusses the $1.3 trillion spending bill he signed.

Benefits of lobbying evident for small drugmaker

Tucked in the massive congr... . President Donald Trump with, Vice President Mike Pence, responds to reporters' questions in the Diplomatic Room of the White House in Washington, Friday, March 23, 2018, after he spoke about the $1.3 trillion spending bi... .

Governor’s criminal justice overhaul passes House committee

The final piece of Republican Gov. Nathan Deal's years-long criminal justice overhaul is expected to see a vote in the Georgia House early next week, after passing through the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee Thursday. The proposal, which backers say seeks to keep fewer non-violent offenders behind bars, would give judges more leeway in forgoing cash bail for low-income offenders and more opportunities to impose community service rather than fines.