Republicans gain big in state legislative elections
CHICAGO (Reuters) – The Republican wave that hit the U.S. Congress in Tuesday’s midterm election also boosted the party in state races, where it gained control of 10 chambers and could be on track to holding the largest number of legislative seats sinc…
Deceased Washington state legislator headed for re-election
SEATTLE (Reuters) – An incumbent Democratic state representative in Washington was headed for a decisive re-election victory on Wednesday even though he died last week, results indicate.
Wearied by partisan warfare, many women desert Obama’s Democrats
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Democrats hoped women voters would help them weather a tough election year, but weariness with President Barack Obama and disgust with relentless partisan warfare in Washington prompted many to abandon the party they had backed t…
Washington, D.C., voters OK legal pot, but congressional hurdles remain
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – District of Columbia voters have overwhelmingly approved legalizing marijuana, but pot smokers in the U.S. capital still need congressional approval before they can legally light up.
Energy seen getting biggest boost from Republican Senate
NEW YORK (Reuters) – While the Republican Party won’t assume its Senate majority until January, U.S. stock investors are already betting the new congressional makeup could lead to faster action on pipelines and trade agreements, sending energy shares h…
U.S. Republicans plan quick move on Keystone in 2015: Sen. Hoeven
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Republicans will quickly introduce stand-alone legislation in the first quarter of 2015 that would approve the Keystone XL crude oil pipeline from Canada, testing President Barack Obama’s resolve on the project, Republican Senato…
Berkeley passes soda tax; effort may be tougher elsewhere
BERKELEY Calif. (Reuters) – The California city of Berkeley overwhelmingly approved the first U.S. ballot measure to tax sugary soft drinks, but while supporters hope it will unleash similar efforts nationwide, organizers of the measure said their gras…
Voters OK legal marijuana in Oregon, Alaska, and Washington, D.C
PORTLAND Ore. (Reuters) – Residents of Oregon, Alaska, and the U.S. capital voted to legalize marijuana on Tuesday, in key victories that could fuel the legalization movement as cannabis usage is increasingly recognized by the American mainstream.
Phoenix voters reject pension overhaul backed by billionaire
(Reuters) – Voters in Phoenix have rejected a proposal, funded in part by a hedge fund billionaire, to convert the pension system for city workers to a 401k-style retirement plan favored by most U.S. private employers.
Obama to make statement after U.S. election: White House
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama will hold a news conference on Wednesday afternoon, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said.