Who’s calling the shots in the states?

Introduction

In a new multi-year investigation, the Center for Public Integrity is exposing the powerful special interests that drive elections and policy in the states.

Browse the State Influence Hub to learn more.

The kingmakers
Who tried to buy state elections?

How drugmakers sway states to profit off of Medicaid

Medicaid drug costs rise, leading to tough state budget choices.

Find your state legislators’ financial interests

The Center for Public Integrity collected personal financial disclosures for 6,933 state legislators holding office in 2015.

Tracking TV ads in the 2016 state races

See who is airing ads in gubernatorial, legislative and other state races.

Here are the interests lobbying in every statehouse

The 101 companies, companies, trade associations and advocates lobbying across the country.

Meet the 10 shadowy groups that snuck into your state races

A field guide to the national power brokers trying to shape elections.

Politics of pain: Drugmakers fought state opioid limits amid crisis

Makers of prescription painkillers have tried to weaken state measures aimed at stemming the opioid crisis that has killed 165,000.

Drinks, dinners, junkets and jobs: how the insurance industry courts state commissioners

Center for Public Integrity investigation uncovers revolving door, financial ties and cozy relationships between regulators and insurers.

Capitol Gains: S.C. politicians use office to pad pockets

How state candidates are using office to enrich themselves.

How did billionaire-backed ballot measures fare?

At least 25 out-of-state billionaires gave more than $70 million to initiatives nationwide. See how they fared.

Why state attorneys general races are the next frontier for out-of-state influence

State attorneys general races are the next frontier for out-of-state influence. Races in Alabama, Ohio and Wisconsin highlight the change.

A #MeToo candidate is loved from afar, but faces a different kind of resistance at home

Called a ‘toxic hand grenade,’ Katie Muth wants to blow up Pennsylvania’s Democratic old boys’ club.

Six environmental ballot measures attract massive out-of-state and industry cash

Six environmental ballot measures attract massive out-of-state and industry cash.

How cryptocurrency is sneaking into state elections

Four years after bitcoin was allowed in federal elections, most states are still in the dark.

What is bitcoin?

First traded in 2010, bitcoin is a virtual currency or medium of exchange that is electronically created and stored.

How billionaires from other states are shaping this year’s ballot measures

More than 10 percent of money raised for ballot measures this year comes from out-of-state billionaires.

Out-of-state donors pour cash into Democrats’ state races

As redistricting decisions loom, state campaigns are getting a surge of attention and money

Reporting recipe: How to investigate out-of-state influence in 2018 races

Use our data analysis to investigate out-of-state influence in your 2018 state races.

Redistricting explained: All eyes on state races in 2018

State representatives and senators draw national attention every 10 years.

An uncertain future for America’s wind energy capital

As federal subsidies are slated to expire, Texas officials re-examine future of wind turbines.

Why are corporations pouring millions into shoo-in governor races?

Eight governors raking in millions for campaign war chests to shore up political power ahead of likely wins.

These state lawmakers are running unopposed, but still rake in campaign cash

At least 26 state legislative leaders haul in campaign cash despite running unopposed in 2018 elections.

Texas tightens rules following Medicaid investigation

Texas, Colorado committees that choose Medicaid drugs are latest to take action after Center/NPR investigation.

How a mock convention is helping fuel a movement to change the Constitution

State legislators are pushing bills in at least 27 states after scores attended an event paid by two activist groups.

Arizona governor enacts reforms in wake of Medicaid investigation

In wake of Medicaid investigation, Arizona governor adds transparency measures, seeks criminal investigation into fired doctor.

How we investigated drugmakers’ influence over Medicaid

The Center for Public Integrity began investigating the influence of the pharmaceutical industry on state Medicaid programs eight months ago.

What is Medicaid?

Medicaid is a joint federal-state program that pays for health care for 76 million poor or disabled Americans.

Michigan lawmakers go public with their finances in effort to boost state integrity

Michigan is the only state with a full-time legislature that doesn’t require lawmakers to fill out annual disclosure forms.

The NBA and MLB quietly hustle for a cut of the sports betting jackpot

Now that sports betting is legal, leagues want in. They’re using model legislation and lobbying to try to earn their cut.

Have questions?

Statehouse reporters: call our reporters’ hotline at 202-750-0686. To receive alerts about what’s coming next, email us or follow the project on Twitter.