As Washington Stews, State Legislatures Increasingly Shape American Politics

nytimes.com ^ | 8/29/21 | Michael Wines

[cotton1706]

With the release of the 2020 census last month, the drawing of legislative districts that could in large part determine control of Congress for the next decade heads to the nation’s state legislatures, the heart of Republican political power.

Increasingly, state legislatures, especially in 30 Republican-controlled states, have seized an outsize role for themselves, pressing conservative agendas on voting, Covid-19 and the culture wars that are amplifying partisan splits and shaping policy well beyond their own borders.

Indeed, for a party out of power in Washington, state legislatures have become enormous sources of leverage and influence. That is especially true for rural conservatives who largely control the legislatures in key states like Wisconsin, Texas and Georgia and could now lock in a strong Republican tilt in Congress and cement their own power for the next decade. The Texas Legislature’s pending approval of new restrictions on voting is but the latest example.

“This is in many ways genuinely new, because of the breadth and scope of what’s happening,” said Donald F. Kettl, a scholar of state governance at the University of Texas at Austin. “But more fundamentally, the real point of the spear of Trumpism is appearing at the state and local level. State legislatures not only are keeping the flame alive, but nurturing and growing it.”

[cotton1706]

Oh, they don't like that ALL legislative power in the nation doesn't rest in Nancy Pelosi's gnarled hands.

Next time, try cheating all the way down the ballot!

Elections have consequences.

[Tell It Right]

Two observations:

1 -- It's a good thing when much of the power is in the states. That's the intention, idiot NY Slimes. It's why we call ourselves the "United States" and not "Subjects of a Totalitarian Central Government".

2 -- Cry me a river. Every time the Dims redraw district lines after a census it's the "constitutional duty". But when Republicans do it it's "gerrymandering" or "using their political advantage".

[BenLurkin]

Bump and Bump!

[DNME]

Exactly as it should be!

We are the United STATES of America, not the Unified States. Each state is a separate nation, really, and each can operate independently. The only reason for the central government is to handle functions that are too big and expensive for the separate states to accomplish.

In fact, besides the military, what does Washington do that we can’t do without?

[Bubba_Leroy]

One of the worst amendments ever passed to the United States Constitution was the 17th Amendment, which requires the direct election of Senators instead of the election of Senators by each of the state legislatures.

[Jacquerie]

<>Increasingly, state legislatures . . . have seized an outsize role for themselves<>

Repeal the 17th Amendment to unleash the Framers’ intent.

[Jacquerie]

<>That is especially true for rural conservatives who largely control the legislatures in key states like Wisconsin, Texas and Georgia<>

“One Man One Vote” BS from Scotus ruined self-government in states with super populous cities.

[Jacquerie]

Agree. Ping to #6.

[Borderline]

Repeal the 17th. Exactly right!

[hanamizu]

I quite agree. The original intent was for the House to represent the people and the Senate was to represent the state governments or more specifically the state legislatures. The whole point of having the Senate ratify treaties and approve appointments was to give the states a voice in the national government.

The 25th amendment recognizes the change by having both Houses vote a VP replacement and both Houses to vote on keeping a President in office if threatened with removal via the 25th.