Since Edward Snowden first revealed the NSA was collecting massive amounts of call data from Americans, most attention has been on the controversial surveillance programs of the United States intelligence community accompanied with demands for more transparency and accountability.

In one Maryland town, November 5, 2013 was no ordinary Election Day: it marked the beginning of a historic expansion of suffrage rights to 16- and 17-year-olds. On October 30th - the start of the city's early voting period - Takoma Park became the first city in the United States to open its polls in a general election to residents after they turn 16.

They Showed Up and Showed Off

Voter turnout in Takoma Park's municipal election was notably low, a likely result of no contested races or referendums. Nevertheless, 16- and 17-year-old residents still came out to vote.

Yesterday morning, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs considered and passed the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act (DATA Act) on a voice vote.

And yet, when we talk about health systems, the financing should always be at the heart of the debate. If you don't talk about how to finance it, but only focus on the moral need to look after everybody's health, you end up with something like the mess that is Obamacare.

Proposition AA Tuesday: 65 percent to 35 percent. The proposition, which was brought forth by the Committee for Responsible Regulation, would tax the sale of recreational marijuana in the state.

Colorado became one of the first states to legalize the substance outright in 2012 through Amendment 64. Yet, marijuana continues to be recognized federally as a Schedule I drug.

While much focus was put on the major gubernatorial and mayoral races across the nation on Tuesday, Illinois lawmakers approved the legalization of same-sex marriage. The law will go before Governor Pat Quinn who is expected to make Illinois the fifteenth state to allow gay couples to wed.

Secession, a word common 150 years ago, is once again gaining steam in several states. In the quest for a government that is more representative of the people, groups of different ideologies want to break away from the majority.

However, this separatist movement is unlike the days leading up to the Civil War; it is bloodless and involves regions of states separating from the state itself. Rural areas want to disconnect from urban areas; conservative groups want to break away from governments they feel are too liberal.

After months of personal attacks and divisive rhetoric, Democrat Terry McAuliffe will become Virginia's 72nd Governor. According to the Virginia State board of elections the former Democratic Party Chairman defeated Republican Ken Cuccinelli and Libertarian Robert Sarvis, 48 percent to 45.5 percent and 6.6 percent, respectively.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CDohsX-slo

In a recent interview with City & State, Frank Barry, director of public affairs for New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and author of the book, "The Scandal of Reform: The Grand Failures of New York’s Political Crusaders and the Death of Nonpartisanship,” discussed the need for nonpartisan elections in the city. He responded to questions regarding an op-ed he wrote in the Daily News on Monday.

The budget conference committee convened its first meeting on Wednesday. The members struck a promising tone with their statements, but the real work is just beginning.

The opening session consisted solely of opening statements from the 29 committee members. There was a lot commonality in those statements. Here’s a look at common themes expressed by the conferees.