U.S. State Government

Latest Articles

Freedom watch: Jailhouse bloc

Want to know the real reason the law-and-order set backs mandatory-minimum sentencing? They get their pockets lined by the 'prison-industrial complex.'
With aromatic puffs of change, Bay State stoners rejoiced on Election Day.
By HARVEY SILVERGLATE AND KYLE SMEALLIE | December 03, 2008

We sing, we dance, we steal things

Politics and other mistakes
Last week, I profiled the Democrats running for governor of Maine in 2010. Thousands were taken ill.
By AL DIAMON | November 26, 2008

Give thanks to those who fight for civil liberties

A quarter-century ago, Dan Donnelly, a friend and fellow plaintiff in an unsuccessful challenge of a religious holiday display on public property in Pawtucket, wondered who could possibly lead the local chapter of the ACLU in constitutionally challenged Rhode Island.
Rights + Reasons
By MARY ANN SORRENTINO | November 25, 2008

A moral dilemma

State and local politics is paralyzed by fear
We need serious action and strong leadership — and a public trust that is unlikely to be given.
By EDITORIAL | November 26, 2008

Here come the bugs

Politics and other mistakes
I'm not one of those people who assumes that just because somebody casually mentions they're thinking about running for governor of Maine in 2010, that they should be restrained, subjected to electro-shock therapy, and deported to someplace where they can't do any harm.
By AL DIAMON | November 19, 2008

Maine task force to seek offshore power

Energy in the drink
A new Ocean Energy Task Force, created by Governor John Baldacci last week, is charged in part with investigating the realities of drilling for oil and gas off the coast of Maine.
By DEIRDRE FULTON | November 12, 2008

California’s shame

Equal marriage rights suffers a setback, but there is hope. Plus, young voters.
The politics of division as practiced by lame-duck president George W. Bush at the connivance of his onetime Svengali Karl Rove are not dead.
By EDITORIAL | November 24, 2008

State council snubs artists

Okay, Define 'Creative'
On October 8, Governor Deval Patrick signed into law a bill establishing a first-in-the-nation state-level Creative Economy Council.
By GREG COOK | November 05, 2008

Half-baked Alaska

Why is the coldest state such a hotbed of corruption?
Until a couple months ago, did the state of Alaska ever cross your radar? Its chief exports were cute polar-bear screen savers and Northern Exposure .
By KARA BASKIN | November 10, 2008

Three years and counting

The Portland Phoenix' s prison scoops keep piling up
For the past three years, Portland Phoenix contributing writer Lance Tapley has been the only reporter in Maine to pay attention to the appalling conditions suffered by inmates in the Maine State Prison
By PORTLAND PHOENIX STAFF | November 05, 2008

Endorsements, or lack thereof

The Phoenix ’s picks for this election
The Phoenix makes no endorsement for the United States Senate. Neither Republican Susan Collins, the incumbent, nor Democratic challenger Tom Allen would agree to talk with this paper.
By PHOENIX EDITORIAL STAFF | October 31, 2008

The alt-candidates

On the Rhode Island ballot: a revolutionary, conservatives — and Ralph Nader, of course
A revolutionary, Ralph Nader, a Baptist minister, and two former congressmen from Georgia are all running for president in Rhode Island.
By STEVEN STYCOS | October 29, 2008

RI ’08: Prelude to 2010

In a national year of change, stasis is likely to prevail at the General Assembly
During a national election season in which “change” remains the dominant motif, Rhode Island politics is locked in a holding pattern marked by a Democratic stranglehold on state and federal offices.
By IAN DONNIS | October 31, 2008

Tax evasion

There is such a thing as a stupid question

By CHRIS FARAONE | October 29, 2008

Obama for president

Vote for ‘that one.’ Also, approve pot reform.
The past eight years have been disastrous for America.
By EDITORIAL | November 06, 2008

FBI nabs Wilkerson

Will the fallout involve other officials?
State senator Dianne Wilkerson was arrested Tuesday morning on charges of public corruption -- charges at a level far above and beyond any she has previously faced.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | October 29, 2008

Playing the angel

Politics and other mistakes
Former congressman David Emery’s correct in thinking that public campaign financing is a luxury the state can’t afford, but his aversion to Clean Election money seems to be more a matter of convenience than conviction.
By AL DIAMON | October 27, 2008

Dianne's special deal

State Senator Dianne Wilkerson already has amassed a list of embarrassing political pratfalls. The Phoenix uncovers two more situations that should cause concern on the cusp of the election.
Undeterred by her Democratic primary loss to opponent Sonia Chang-Díaz, State Senator Dianne Wilkerson is forging ahead in a sticker campaign to win re-election of her Second Suffolk seat in the state legislature.
By TED SIEFER | October 29, 2008

Baldacci raids the cookie jar

The governor’s secret Dirigo Health bailout
Under the American system of government, the legislative branch is supposed to decide how your tax money is spent, but . . .
By LANCE TAPLEY | October 15, 2008

Financial fallout

The devastating wall street crisis has a potential silver lining — if you’re a Massachusetts politician looking for a foothold
The current US financial disaster will roil Massachusetts residents in myriad ways.
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN | October 08, 2008

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