Alaska Senate Democratic nominee Mary Peltola once voted in the state Legislature for an income tax proposal that critics called regressive because its highest earners would have paid lower tax rates than many working families. Legislative records show that while serving under the name Mary Kapsner in 2002, Peltola voted in the state House of Representatives for House Bill 303, which would have reinstated Alaska’s state income tax repealed decades earlier. She is currently running in one of the nation’s most competitive Senate races. Peltola, who served one term in the U.S. House of Representatives, entered the 2026 Senate race to challenge Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan. The Cook Political Report and Sabato’s Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics rate the Alaska Senate race as a toss-up. Meanwhile, Inside Elections rates the race as lean Republican. Most states with income taxes have either a progressive income tax or a flat tax. However, under the 2002 Alaska proposal, tax rates would have slightly increased from low- to middle-income earners before then declining as income rose for higher-earning individuals and households, a proposal critics called a regressive tax. Under House Bill 303, the bill’s highest-rate schedule, the first $10,000 of adjusted gross income would have been taxed at 1.35%. Income between $20,000 and $50,000 would have been taxed at a 2.7% marginal rate. After that point, however, the marginal rates steadily declined. Income between $200,000 and $500,000 would have been taxed at 0.41%, income between $500,000 and $1 million at 0.07%, and income above $1 million at 0.05%. Legislative records show the bill passed the Alaska House but stalled in the Senate before the Legislature adjourned, ending its chances of becoming law during the 2002 session. The proposal has not been enacted in the years since. Peltola’s campaign noted that 12 Republicans in the House, about half the caucus, voted for the proposal and noted an Anchorage Daily News report that called it a “victory for Republican moderates” when it cleared the House. In 2002, Alaska faced a fiscal crisis and had to use the budget reserve to cover about 30%, or $750 million, of the basic budget. As a state lawmaker and member of Congress, Peltola has supported tax relief and lower energy prices and will “stand up to anyone to take on the rigged system in D.C.,” Peltola spokesman Harry Child said. “While Dan Sullivan has voted time and time again to strip Alaskans of their healthcare, gut lifesaving emergency services, and benefit his Lower 48 special interest backers–Mary has spent her entire career working across the aisle to lower costs and put Alaskans first,” Child told the Daily Signal. The 2002 proposal was a regressive income tax, said Republican National Committee spokesman Nick Poche. “Mary Peltola has a consistent anti-Alaskan voting record. She wanted to impose an income tax, she told her fellow Democrats to vote against opening up Alaska for resource development, and she constantly sided with the Lower-48 radical left,” Republican National Committee spokesman Nick Poche told the Daily Signal about House Bill 303. In July 2002, the left-leaning American Prospect magazine panned the proposal, though mostly blaming the Republican-controlled legislature for adopting “an explicitly regressive state income tax.” As lawmakers struggled for a plan to close a budget gap, the Prospect noted, “To break the stalemate, John Davies, a liberal House Democrat from Fairbanks, put forward an unusual ‘compromise’ plan” that included “slightly graduated [tax] rates over the low- and middle-income ranges.” “To satisfy Republicans’ zeal to protect the wealthy, however, marginal rates sharply declined thereafter, eventually falling to only 0.05 percent for incomes above $1 million.” As an alternative, the Senate GOP majority increased the tax on alcoholic beverages, the Prospect reported.  For his part, Sullivan voted for the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act, as well as the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act, both of which critics on the left called regressive.  A report by the left-leaning Cetner for Budget and Policy Priorities said the “2017 Trump tax Law was skewed to the rich, expensive, and failed to deliver on its promises.” Similarly, the center asserts the One Big Beautiful Bill–the 2025 legislation that extended Trump’s 2017 tax bill–saying the bill cut taxes for the wealthy but harmed social services.  Meawnwhile, the left-leaning Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy said the Trump tax cuts from the first administration disproportionately benefited the richest Americans and were a “windfall for the wealthy.” The institute said the 2025 bill mostly benefited high earners and corporations.

Gov. Greg Abbott has signed an executive order directing multiple state agencies to investigate and eliminate birth tourism operations in Texas. The order directs the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, the Department of State Health Services, the HHSC Office of Inspector General, the Texas Medical Board, the Texas Board of Nursing, and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to investigate claims of birth tourism and take enforcement action against those involved. “DSHS, HHSC, OIG, TMB, BON, and TDLR must investigate claims of birth tourism schemes in Texas’ healthcare industry and take action against licensed or regulated individuals and entities advertising, soliciting, engaging in, assisting with, providing, or otherwise participating in such activities, including by revoking or suspending licensure, prohibiting participation in state contracts, denying state benefits, or taking other enforcement action,” the order states.  The order also authorizes the agencies, with the governor’s approval, to partner with federal prosecutors by sharing information, referring potential federal law violations, and coordinating efforts to combat birth tourism operations. “Texas will not tolerate the exploitation of our immigration laws by individuals traveling to the United States illegally or under false pretenses to give birth and secure citizenship for their child,” Abbott said. “This executive order directs state agencies to investigate birth tourism schemes and hold accountable any provider that facilitates this fraud. U.S. citizenship is not for sale, and Texas will put a stop to individuals seeking to profit from birth tourism.” Abbott’s executive order follows reports that Mission Regional Medical Center in South Texas advertised birth services to foreign nationals on a highway billboard. The billboard, photographed along the highways, featured text in English and Spanish directing prospective patients to a phone number and website for additional information. It advertised natural childbirth services for $3,950 and cesarean deliveries for $5,525. Earlier this month, state Rep. Brian Harrison called for a special session to combat birth tourism practices in the state.  Abbott subsequently directed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to investigate Mission Regional Medical Center and refer any potential state violations to the Texas Attorney General’s office. The new executive order expands that effort by directing state agencies to participate in the investigation and pursue disciplinary action against licensed health care providers and regulated entities that facilitate the illegal practice. Anyone with information about suspected birth tourism operations in Texas is encouraged to report it to the HHSC Office of Inspector General. Tips may also be submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice or to the appropriate U.S. attorney’s office in Texas.

The Election Transparency Initiative, which advocates for voter integrity issues at the federal and state levels, is joining The Heritage Foundation. The initiative was first founded in 2021 and has been led by its chairman, Ken Cuccinelli, former Virginia attorney general and former acting deputy secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. “ETI is excited to join the Heritage family—lock, stock, and barrel,” Cuccinelli said in a public statement. “This is not the beginning of our work or of Heritage’s; it is the next and stronger chapter. We will continue supporting state leaders and working alongside coalition partners across the country, now backed by the unmatched research, policy, legal, communications, and grassroots capabilities of Heritage.” “Heritage has long been a leader in election integrity,” Cuccinelli continued. “Bringing ETI into that established work will make both efforts stronger and help us provide even greater support to those advancing transparent, secure, and accountable elections.”   The initiative will be part of both The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, and its advocacy arm, Heritage Action. “Confidence in our elections is the cornerstone of self-government. Heritage’s Election Transparency Initiative will ensure policymakers have the tools they need to strengthen election security and safeguard integrity at the ballot box,” Steve Chartan, executive vice president at Heritage Action, told the Daily Signal in a statement. “Election integrity should not be a partisan issue; it is fundamental to preserving the legitimacy of our constitutional republic.” The Election Transparency Initiative is set to focus on developing model legislation for state and federal policymakers; producing original research and legal analysis on election administration and election law; convening policymakers, legal experts, and election professionals to share best practices; and serving as a resource for legislators, state officials, and the public on election integrity issues. “The integrity of our elections is fundamental to the health of our constitutional republic,” said Kevin Roberts, president of The Heritage Foundation and executive director of Heritage Action. “Today’s announcement reflects Heritage’s commitment to developing serious, principled solutions that help policymakers strengthen election administration and foster Americans’ confidence in our democratic institutions. We look forward to working with Ken Cuccinelli on this critical effort.” The Election Transparency Initiative began in 2021 as an effort to oppose legislation in the Democrat-controlled Congress that it said would have undermined state election safeguards. The House passed bills critics said would have effectively banned state voter ID laws by replacing photo identification requirements with a sworn statement at the polls. The bills would have allowed the controversial practice of ballot harvesting, which allows third-party actors to collect and distribute large quantities of ballots; they also would have expanded mail-in voting and lowered the number of Federal Election Commission members from six to five, which critics argued would have allowed then-President Joe Biden to gain an advantage. The legislation died in the Senate after two Democrats from centrist states declined to eliminate the filibuster to pass the bills. The Election Transparency Initiative went on to advocate for other policies, such as requirements that states keep updated voter registration lists and verify voters’ citizenship. “The ETI is a leading voice in election integrity because it combines principled policy solutions with real-world expertise,” Matt Crouch, a state director for Heritage Action, told the Daily Signal. “Heritage and ETI joining forces will amplify that impact and support stakeholders across the country. Together, we will continue building public trust in elections through transparency, accountability, and commonsense reforms.”

Republican Rep. Andy Biggs secured a decisive victory Tuesday in Arizona’s Republican gubernatorial primary, defeating fellow Rep. David Schweikert and setting up a general election matchup against Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs. With 84% of the votes tallied by Wednesday morning, Biggs, R-Gilbert, leads with 73.4% of the vote, far ahead of Schweikert, R-Scottsdale, who received 14.7%. The victory sends Biggs, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, into the Nov. 3 general election against Hobbs, who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. In a statement on social media, Biggs thanked Republican voters and credited grassroots supporters for carrying his campaign to victory. “I am deeply honored to be chosen by Arizona Republicans as their nominee,” Biggs said. “This campaign has been driven by our grassroots supporters from the day we launched in January 2025 with a clear mission of restoring the American dream in our great state.” Biggs said the results demonstrate widespread support for his agenda and argued his campaign has helped unify Republicans ahead of the fall election. The Republican Governors Association quickly congratulated Biggs on his win. “Throughout his career in public service, Andy has fought to lower costs, grow Arizona’s economy, unleash American energy, and secure the border,” RGA Chairman Greg Gianforte, governor of Montana, said in a statement. Gianforte contrasted Biggs’ platform with Hobbs’ record, arguing that Arizona voters face a clear choice in November. “For Arizona families, affordability, housing, economic growth, and border security remain top priorities,” he said. “Andy Biggs is the leader to get the state back on track.” Hobbs, meanwhile, celebrated securing the Democratic nomination and thanked supporters for backing her reelection bid. “I’ve never lost an election, but I’ve also never won one alone,” Hobbs wrote on social media. “This will be a close race, but I’m excited to be in this fight with all of you to keep Arizona moving forward.” Hobbs enters the general election with a fundraising advantage. According to state campaign finance records, the governor has nearly $2 million cash on hand, including $10,000 that came directly from a billionaire member of the Chinese Communist Party, compared with nearly $1.3 million for Biggs.

Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton called the Supreme Court’s decision on protecting women’s sports “settled law,” but many on her left disagree—and now they’re making demands. Some candidates and caucuses are taking issue with Acton’s words and are seeking to meet with the Democrat nominee. Arienne Childrey, who is transgender, is meeting with Acton on July 28, according to the Toledo Blade. If the meeting doesn’t go a certain way, Childrey may support the Libertarian candidate for governor, Don Kissick. Childrey hopes to address Acton’s view on women’s sports and will demand that she hire a transgender staff member for her campaign. “First and foremost, I want to hear a correction to the actual terminology,” said Childrey, who is running against Republican state Rep. Angie King in Ohio’s 84th District. “There are no boys in girls’ sports. Even before this law was passed, there were no boys in girls’ sports, because trans girls are girls.” Childrey was referring to HB 68, which went into effect in 2024 after the Legislature overrode a December 2023 veto from Republican Gov. Mike DeWine. “I want her to drop the ‘settled law’ argument and point-blank state that the law, as passed, is wrong and that she will stand with the community—and that if such a bill came to her desk to undo that, she would sign it,” Childrey said. According to the Toledo Blade, Childrey noted that the Supreme Court “only decided that states are permitted to ban transgender women and girls from women’s and girls’ sports—not that states are required to do so.” The issue might night be over in Ohio. Dave Yost, Ohio’s former attorney general and current vice president of strategic research at Alliance Defending Freedom, told the Daily Signal that an effort from the American Civil Liberties Union argues the issue based on the Health Care Freedom Amendment, a state constitutional provision passed in 2011. Childrey’s comments to the Daily Signal did not address questions asked about that effort. “I look forward to hearing from Dr. Acton’s team and sincerely hope they’ll make a sincere effort to make this right, Childrey said. “I believe being a Democrat means standing for liberty and justice for all. At this time, I’m going to save further comment until the meeting has taken place.” Childrey wants these requests to be fulfilled in public. “You made a public statement that publicly hurt my community. Your apology needs to likewise be public. Otherwise, you can count me as a Don Kissick voter,” the candidate said, according to the Toledo Blade. The Kissick and Acton campaigns did not respond to the Daily Signal’s request for comment. Kissick, however, posted the Toledo Blade article to his campaign’s Facebook account. After the Toledo Blade article was published, Childrey’s Facebook account further addressed the matter, clarifying a desire to still be able to support Acton. Childrey is running against state Rep. Angie King, a Republican who represents the 84th District. King provided the Daily Signal with a statement about protecting women’s sports. “Allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports undermines fair competitions and raises legitimate concerns about the safety and privacy of female athletes,” King said. “I’m proud of the work we’ve done in Ohio to protect women’s sports. I will always oppose the extreme agenda that undermines female athletes and their right to private spaces.” The state representative also pointed out that Ohio law “recognizes two sexes, male and female, and provides that these classifications are not changeable under state law.” “It’s disappointing that we’ve reached a point in society where the basic definition of woman is debated and the state Legislature must act provide clarity in the law,” King said. Childrey is not the only one giving Acton grief for her comments. Earlier this month, the Ohio Democrats Progressive Caucus released a fired-up statement taking issue with Acton’s comments and threatening to act. The Ohio Democrats Progressive Caucus is unhappy with Amy Acton over a statement she recently saying she does not support "boys playing in girls sports," and calling the issue settled law in Ohio.The group says that statement will cost her votes and volunteers. pic.twitter.com/FO93B0WN09— Andrew Tobias (@AndrewJTobias) July 9, 2026 That statement, initially posted to Facebook, was later taken down. In a subsequent post on Monday, the Ohio Democrats Progressive Caucus explained that it had to take down its initial post after being told by the Ohio Democratic Party that it had failed to go through the official approval process. While the caucus looked to submit its removed post “through the proper channels so that it could be reposted,” a meeting with Acton was discussed, and caucus leadership grew ever-more determined to meet up. The caucus called it “a good sign” that Acton has agreed to meet with them. The Ohio Democrats Progressive Caucus has a new post explaining why they deleted the post below. ODP ordered them to do so, saying they failed to go through the official approval process and broke internal party rules by doing so. https://t.co/9RHGkaFei2 pic.twitter.com/fJrb6hQzIY— Andrew Tobias (@AndrewJTobias) July 20, 2026