The stark difference between how Democrats and Republicans run states

[Nevilledog]

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/5/13/2240440/-The-stark-difference-between-how-Democrats-and-Republicans-run-states

At the start of 2024, there were 28 state legislatures entirely under Republican control and 20 under Democratic control. Of these, many have majorities where one party has overwhelming control, like West Virginia where there are 88 Republicans and only 10 Democrats, or Massachusetts with 134 Democrats to 25 Republicans.

When voters elect such lopsided majorities, they give one party the power to enact their own platform. That’s especially true in states where the governor is of the same party as the legislative majority. In these situations, more than any other, parties express themselves to the detriment of constituents’ lives.

With many state legislatures wrapping up their 2023-2024 sessions, here are two examples of what voters get for their partisan investment. One state got guns and a culture war; the other got education, transportation, and housing.

In Colorado, the 74th General Assembly contains 69 Democrats (23 in the Senate, 46 in the House) and 31 Republicans (12 in the Senate, 19 in the House). Together with Democratic Gov. Jared Polis, this session gave Democrats an opportunity to execute on issues they had campaigned on in this cycle, as well as follow up on Democratic victories from the previous session.

*snip*

[rampartc]

1. louisiana has a new maga governor

to go with the gerrymandered supermajorities.

these bastards are holding a constitutional convention.

[Bundbuster]

2. I LOVE all these new Colorado Dem-led programs

- A program that gives students from families earning under $90,000 two free years of college. That’s not just at technical schools or community colleges, but it includes state-run universities.

- Property tax reform that provides relief for homeowners and more equitable funding for schools to make them less dependent on property taxes and the wealth of their local communities.

- A tax credit program for low income families that provides $1.4 billion that’s expected to drastically reduce child poverty.

- A bill that doubles the earned income credit for families.

- Changes to zoning policy to spur sustainable, affordable housing, especially in resort communities where housing costs far exceeded the incomes of many workers.

- A fee on oil and gas production that goes to promoting transit, conservation, and renewable energy.

It's a JOY to live in such a solid Blue state.