How does your state define “rape?”

You can find out here. We could use a uniform definition of the crime — one that includes incest and statutory rape this time. The FBI changed its definition in 2012 (after using a definition from 1929 that excluded incidences that involved men, or  rape following drug use) but elected not to include incest and statutory rape. Is that …

The recent increases in minimum wage are nice but:

We need more. I wrote this for The Guardian.

States that let the terrorists win, with caveats

This map was posted on Facebook yesterday, and it’s been the subject  of much discussion, in part because  in part because — to my knowledge — it hasn’t been updated since 11/16. As Leftover so eloquently (I’m not being snide here) pointed out in the comments, Montana, for one, is mislabeled. The governor has said he …

Putting college out of reach

After years of states cutting funding to higher education, college is increasingly being moved out of reach, particularly for low-income families, according to this, from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. From the center (and the emphasis is mine): After adjusting for inflation: Forty-seven states — all except Alaska, North Dakota, and Wyoming — …

EPI asks: How unequal is your state?

Check out this report from Economic Policy Institute. (A hint? New York and Connecticut are the worst — the absolutely worst — for wealth and income inequality.) (And this:) The states in which all income growth between 2009 and 2012 accrued to the top 1 percent include Delaware, Florida, Missouri, South Carolina, North Carolina, Connecticut, Washington, …

Before you run for President:

Maybe you should check this map and see if adultery is illegal in your state.