America.gov-U.S. Government: State and Local

Local Government Addresses Needs of a Diverse Community

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 20:13:39 GMT

Women Setting New Records as State Supreme Court Judges

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:17:05 GMT

Although it has taken a long time in U.S. history, today women commonly serve on the highest courts in the country. Many of these women overcame great obstacles to achieve their positions. The composition of the American judicial system is "very different than when I joined the court and there were all white men," said Leah Ward Sears, chief justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia. "That is not the America I know today."

2007 State, Local Elections Important Despite Low Voter Turnout

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 08:37:40 GMT

The 2007 U.S. state and local elections contested November 6 will affect how citizens across the country will live and how tax dollars are spent in their communities for years to come. USINFO looks at the results of the 2007 elections. These off-year elections “offer a snapshot of where the parties stand in these states and a glimpse of relative party strength nationwide headed into the 2008 elections,” according to Tim Storey of National Conference of State Legislatures.

Louisiana Elects First Indian-American U.S. Governor

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 10:20:11 GMT

Bobby Jindal makes history as Louisiana voters choose him, the son of Indian immigrants, as their next governor. He is the first Indian American to be elected as a state’s chief executive. Jindal was born in Louisiana but his parents came from Maler Kotla in India’s northern Punjab state. “My folks came to this country in pursuit of the American Dream,” Jindal tells supporters. “And guess what happened -- they found the American Dream to be alive and well right here in Louisiana!”

Local Politicians Helping Smaller U.S. Cities Grow, Prosper

Thu, 23 Aug 2007 14:16:00 GMT

In communities large and small throughout the United States, local elected officials are planning for the future while responding to citizens' immediate needs. How well they do will help determine their chances of being re-elected. Three officials from smaller U.S. cities, who work in partnership with hired city staff and state and federal government agencies, are examples of the vibrant, grassroots level of American democracy.

U.S. Governors Head American “Laboratories of Democracy”

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 08:37:07 GMT