Government And Institutions

California delivered on its reputation as a testing ground for liberal ideas as state lawmakers wrapped up a legislative session that extended the nation's most ambitious climate change programs, raised the minimum wage to $15 and toughened gun laws.

The White House says President Barack Obama will lead a discussion of tax avoidance, spurred by the European Union's recent decision about Apple, during the G-20 summit of major economies.

The White House says President Barack Obama will lead a discussion of tax avoidance, spurred by the European Union's recent decision about Apple, during the G-20 summit of major economies.

Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell is addressing widespread concerns about rising premiums and dwindling competition in the federal health care law's insurance markets.

Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell is addressing widespread concerns about rising premiums and dwindling competition in the federal health care law's insurance markets.

California Democrats are taking further steps to advance the state's ambitious climate-change agenda, agreeing to regulate methane emissions from landfills and dairy farms for the first time and approving $900 million in spending on environmental programs.

Figures on government spending and debt in millions of dollars.

Figures on government spending and debt in millions of dollars.

An Alabama Public Service Commission member should not sign a potentially lucrative lease with a solar energy company that hopes to sell energy to a utility he regulates, a state ethics panel said Thursday.

Long-term U.S. mortgage rates rose this week amid expectations in financial markets that an increase in interest rates by the Federal Reserve may be on the horizon.

Long-term U.S. mortgage rates rose this week amid expectations in financial markets that an increase in interest rates by the Federal Reserve may be on the horizon.

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey is investigating possible safety problems with guns manufactured by at least two companies.

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey is investigating possible safety problems with guns manufactured by at least two companies.

Health officials are trying to determine why there's been a dramatic increase in the number of people in Texas each year who contract a food-borne illness that's often linked to produce imported from Mexico and other warmer climes.

Health officials are trying to determine why there's been a dramatic increase in the number of people in Texas each year who contract a food-borne illness that's often linked to produce imported from Mexico and other warmer climes.

Pennsylvania utility regulators reconsidered — and then reinstated — a record-setting $11.4 million fine imposed on ride-hailing company Uber.

Pennsylvania utility regulators reconsidered — and then reinstated — a record-setting $11.4 million fine imposed on ride-hailing company Uber.

The state of Vermont, the Grocery Manufacturers of America and a number of other food industry groups have agreed to dismiss a federal lawsuit that challenged a state law requiring the labeling of some foods made with genetically modified organisms.

The state of Vermont, the Grocery Manufacturers of America and a number of other food industry groups have agreed to dismiss a federal lawsuit that challenged a state law requiring the labeling of some foods made with genetically modified organisms.

THE ISSUE: The federal government is borrowing about 1 out of 7 dollars it spends and steadily piling up debt — to the tune of about $14 trillion held by investors.