Last week's federal court ruling that Texas's 2011 plans for congressional districts and state legislative districts had both the purpose and effect of further reducing the representation of Texas's already underrepresented racial minority populations is just the state's latest salvo in the redistricting wars.

WASHINGTON -- When Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) took friends, fellow legislators or campaign donors to his hunting camp, they passed the word "Niggerhead...

In the name of austerity, newly elected Wisconsin Republican Governor Scott Walker is attempting to stamp out public workers' collective bargaining rights. But despite his dire claims, his state had been coping better than most.

Jumping on the anti-immigrant bandwagon may appeal to some voters, but it doesn't come cheap. Anti-immigrant ordinances cost cities and towns millions in legal fees and lost revenues.