United Van Lines (UVL) is one of the largest moving companies in the United States. Each year since 1977, UVL has issued a study of interstate migration patterns. This study reports the share of outbound shipments in total interstate shipments for UVL for each of the 48 “Lower United States” (e.g. all states but Alaska and Hawaii). We include this data in State Data Lab, along with a wide variety of other economic, demographic, and government financial data.

The year 2013 marked the driest year recorded in California history. December is typically a wet month in the state, but the Summer-like Winter in 2013 was both a blessing and a curse. A serious debate on the state's water future is imperative.

Mark Frohnmayer is spearheading an initiative in Oregon to completely reform the electoral system in the state.

Some people began the year with their own resolutions for 2014, personal achievements to strive for, but often fall at the wayside. For some, these resolutions are often the same -- lose weight, pick up a book, travel more -- but a goal is only worth something if there are real efforts to pursue it.

With the signing of the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act, changes will affect how the military handles cases of military sexual trauma. While 2013 saw a number of stories that blew the lid off of the ongoing sexual assault crisis within the military, the problem is nothing new and even though these changes are good news, more still needs to be done according to experts and defense department brass.

Talk about your new year’s resolutions!

I’ve written here previously asking if we, the People, should be subsidizing obesity? In response, it seems a super majority (84%) believe we should not. However, many people may not know that the U.S. subsidizes sugar and high fructose corn syrup manufacturers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UDranKZROs

Michael Bloomberg is about to leave office after 3 terms as mayor of New York City. His mayorship was not without controversy and many civil libertarians, conservatives, and Republicans have criticized him for several policies that were enacted under his leadership.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQj0NmjrCOU

Independent Senator from Vermont, Bernie Sanders, went on the record Monday with his top priorities for 2014. In his video, "Plant Your Flag," Sen. Sanders outlined the issues he wants to push heading into the new year. His pitch was critical of both Republicans and Democrats, but landed most of the blame for a dysfunctional Washington on the 'extreme right-wing of the Republican party.'

The Fix, a Republican political consultant has predicted that Dan Schnur, a No Party Preference candidate running for California's secretary of state, will become the first independent candidate to win a statewide race.