Negotiations surrounding the state’s budget, while contentions, managed to achieve a resolution that produced a budget that was not only balanced, but practically on time — lawmakers did negotiate into the early hours just past the deadline

Editor's note: This article has been updated to be more up to date with the current presidential administration. Updated on January 20, 2017.

When Donald Trump is sworn in on January 20, 2017, he will officially be the president with the least experience entering office in modern history. It is not rare to see political novices run for high office, but their much broader success in winning support is a more contemporary trend.

Right?

Then why is it we spend years listening to political pontifications about which candidate will ‘win over’ the hyper-partisan faithful few that vote in presidential primary elections?

If there is one issue that both Republican and Democratic lawmakers continue to evoke it is the jarring economic inequality of the United States. Although they disagree on the remedy, lawmakers almost universally agree that economic inequality is a serious problem.

So why, then, has no meaningful action been taken to address a problem that impacts a majority of Americans?

The Washington Post created a video montage of some of the best late-night jokes surrounding the Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which was recently revised by the Indiana Legislature and Governor Mike Pence to explicitly protect members of the LGBT community from discrimination.

At a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing Thursday, New Jersey Senator Cory Booker highlighted the importance of securing the United States' northern border as well as the one to the south. While he questioned the Director of the All-Threat Intelligence Center, Bryan Costigan, Senator Booker said:

Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), who is expected to announce his candidacy for President of the United States, defends his stance against forced vaccinations and to lower the tax code. At one point, he even "shushes" the anchor for loading her questions and not letting him answer the questions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlWcDDZ1w38

Cheaper gas prices, a stronger dollar, China trimming U.S. debt -- the initial reaction for anyone not familiar with the intricacies of how the global economy works will surely see all of these things as solely good.

Actress and comedian Roseanne Barr ran for president in 2012 under the banner of the Peace and Freedom Party. According to the FEC, Barr appeared on the ballot in 3 states, and including these and write-ins in other states, received a total of 67,278 votes, placing her sixth overall.

Update: After reconsidering the legislation, a committee in the Idaho House approved the cannabidiol oil bill in a 12-4 vote.