A series of recent polls highlights widespread public dissatisfaction with the federal government, with many Americans favoring efforts to reduce its size and improve efficiency. A Pew Research survey from this summer found that 56% of Americans believe the government is “almost always wasteful and inefficient,” while Gallup reports that 55% feel the government is doing “too much,” compared to 41% who think it should do more.
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) declared that he is "ready to work" with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy in support of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
San Francisco Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie faces a daunting task as he prepares to address the city’s $876 million budget shortfall when he takes office on January 8. The fiscal crisis stems from pandemic-era decisions, declining tax revenue, and rising costs.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte cautioned President-elect Donald Trump against brokering a Ukraine-Russia peace deal that could favor Moscow. Rutte expressed concerns that such an agreement could embolden adversaries like China, Iran, and North Korea, creating long-term security risks for both Europe and the United States.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has threatened to cut funding to Texas Children’s Hospital after a Houston doctor, Dr. Tony Pastor, posted a TikTok video advising patients to disregard a new state law requiring hospitals to inquire about patients' citizenship during intake. The executive order, effective November 1, mandates that hospitals accepting Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) payments collect this information.
Washington state lawmakers have long warned of the potential for a budgetary crisis during an economic downturn, even as the state experienced record-breaking revenue growth over the past decade. Today, those warnings have some merit, as the state faces an estimated $10 billion to $12 billion deficit despite maintaining all-time high revenue levels.
