Mike Allen, Politico’s chief political correspondent, believes state leaders can learn a lot from the 2012 elections. Although the 2013 Congress is likely to be even more polarized, he offers some hope for states still trying to rebuild after the Great Recession.

Stateline Midwest ~ January 2013

One of the five states in the Midwest that allows for voter recall of state legislators has made significant changes to the process. 

Stateline Midwest ~ December 2012

The 2013 legislative sessions in the Midwest will begin soon with hundreds of new lawmakers taking office, but with a balance of power between the two major political parties that remains largely unchanged.

Mike Allen thinks the 2012 election is more historic than the 2008 election when Barack Obama became the first African-American elected president.

“I believe it changed forever how people will run for office, nationally, statewide and in legislative districts,” Allen, Politico’s chief political correspondent, said during Saturday’s keynote luncheon address.

Voters across the country made ballot decisions in the November elections that will have fiscal implications for years to come in many states. Ballot measures proposed a number of tax-related changes, including sales and income tax increases, caps on certain taxes—particularly property taxes—an increased ability for legislatures to provide tax breaks to individuals and businesses, and a requirement that new state taxes be passed by a supermajority of the legislature or go to the voters.

An effort to limit the ability of unions to automatically deduct political contributions from their member's paychecks failed on election day in California. The California secretary of state's website shows that Proposition 32 failed by a significant margin with roughly 56 percent in opposition.  Labor groups funneled over $75 million to defeat the measure backed by business groups that also gave roughly $60 million to support the referendum which would have prevented unions from giving money to candidates or political causes unless the contributions are voluntarily made.

Michigan voters rejected two ballot initiatives that would have amended the state constitution to require utilities to generate 25 percent of their electricity by 2025 and another that would grant a all workers in the state constitutionally protected collective bargaining rights and prevent the state from passing "right to work" laws. According to results from the Michigan secretary of state's website, the renewable energy referendum was opposed by nearly 63 percent of voters and the collective bargaining amendment fell by a margin of approximately 58 percent to 42 percent. 

While a few U.S. House races remain too close to call, at least 12 new senators and 66 House members will pack their bags and head to Washington to join the 113th Congress. More than half of these new freshmen will arrive on Capitol Hill with substantial state experience as governors, legislators, constitutional officers or senior appointed officials.