Articles by Hannah Glover

CALIFORNIA -- The California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) hit record numbers after the 2014 midterm elections, expanding its membership to twelve. The caucus is now in a better position to push major items on its agenda, and some members say recent changes to the state's electoral system are partly responsible. Established in 1967, the CLBC is a champion for the rights and representation of African-Americans in California. Before November, the number of members never passed nine legislators....

Three provisions of the PATRIOT Act are set to expire on June 1: Section 215, the “Lone Wolf” provision, and the “Roving Wiretap” provision. While some lawmakers will insist on renewing these provisions, Americans generally oppose the surveillance programs justified in the law and Congress is divided between reform and renewal. A new bill was recently introduced that would repeal both the PATRIOT Act and the 2008 FISA Amendments Act. The Surveillance State Repeal Act was introduced on March 2...

Two campaigns to alter the process of presidential debates are working to change the rules set by the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD). Change the Rule aims to add an alternative route for minor parties and independents to participate in the CPD-sponsored debates, while Open Debates wants to create an entirely new debate process. The tradition of presidential debates dates back to 1960, between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. While debates between presidential candidates occurred we...

A Rasmussen Reports survey released Thursday found surprising results concerning how the public views the 2016 presidential nominees. The survey asked likely Democratic voters if the party should "look for a fresh face to run for president in 2016" or if it should "promote a candidate who has already run in the past." Forty-four percent think the Democratic Party should support a candidate who has already run, while 57 percent disagree or aren't sure: 36 percent want to see a “fresh face” run ...

On March 4, 2015, the General Social Study published its latest report examining the public's opinion on marijuana legalization. The study documents both the shift in popular consensus on marijuana over the past 40 years as well as the monumental growth that has occurred in the last decade. This is the first time that a comprehensive study has found over 50 percent of respondents in favor of marijuana legalization. According to the study, 52 percent of respondents favor legalizing marijuana. Th...

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. -- Most Americans think of districts as being either red or blue; if the majority of registered voters in a district are Democrats, then it is assumed that the representative of that district will be a Democrat as well. However, in California, there is more to politics than this false dichotomy, and the 16th Assembly District is a prime example. Voter Registration in AD-16 Catharine Baker (R-Pleasanton), serving her first term in the California Legislature, was elected in N...

The United States' preeminent place on the global stage has undergone significant changes in the last 50 years. A report by Business Insider in 2014 showed China has now overtaken the U.S. in terms of Gross Domestic Product when adjusted for purchasing power. Several factors have contributed to the decline of the U.S. dollar, which has been on a steady trend for some time now. Online Accounting Schools explains the strength of the currency as it relates to three aspects: globalization, inflatio...

Redistricting has been a contentious process since the early 1800s, when Governor Elbridge Gerry signed a bill that reshaped electoral districts in Massachusetts to benefit the Democratic-Republicans. This manipulation of the redistricting process was nicknamed a Gerry-Mander, partially after Governor Gerry, and partially after the shape of one of the Boston districts, which resembled a salamander. The practice, now commonly referred to as gerrymandering, presents a challenge to the U.S.'s repu...

Privacy has been a major concern for the American public in the last several years, primarily because of leaked or released information about government projects involving collecting information about civilian activity. Concerns about the government keeping records of movements, Internet searches, and even conversations have prompted some states to pass legislation to enhance personal privacy protections. On January 26, new information regarding a program called the License Plate Recognition In...