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The States: Daily Summaries Delivered
by The Center Square
The States is a show that highlights the work of The Center Square reporters from statehouses across the country to Washington D.C. all with an eye towards the impacts of today's news on the taxpayer.
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- Yesterday45 min
Today's Supreme Court Decision Allows Drug Users to Keep Guns & MORE | The States
Foiled terror plot, Supreme Court gun ruling, data center concerns, public employee payouts, and state tax news headline today's episode of The States. A West Virginia lawmaker speaks out after learning he was named as a target in a domestic terror plot tied to Sunday's UFC fight on the White House lawn. The Supreme Court rules on a case examining the intersection of gun rights and drug offenses. Communities across the country raise concerns about data center NDAs and resource use. Public employees in Allegheny County collect massive payouts for unused sick and vacation leave, raising questions about government benefit policies. Arizona moves to require advance notice before tax law interpretations hit residents' wallets. Plus America's Talking ARIZONIA - https://www.thecentersquare.com/arizona/article_d9099383-fd02-4b32-973d-d5a657b70aa8.html MICHIGAN - https://www.thecentersquare.com/michigan/article_c9a44558-dbf4-4c2c-af3f-94a013089214.html CALIFORNIA - https://www.thecentersquare.com/california/article_d3cbac25-74f9-4a4a-8994-d6baefa75d30.html GEORGIA - https://www.thecentersquare.com/georgia/article_9c4e9dbd-1a50-490c-9b99-b2dcafa82741.html Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- 2 days ago48 min
States Call on Congress to Recognize These Forgotten Veterans | The States
Election results in Georgia, veterans struggle to access benefits, human smuggling busts, non-citizen students getting higher education benefits, and barriers to black Americans looking for mortgages. Key election results are in as the 2026 midterm season accelerates. Georgia Republicans selected businessman Rick Jackson as their gubernatorial nominee, while several high-profile Senate and statewide races were decided in Georgia, Alabama, and Oklahoma as both parties prepare for a battle over control of Congress. We also examine concerns about veterans' access to federal benefits. Disabled Veterans founder Benjamin Krause joins the program to discuss how veterans who served during the Central American conflicts may face barriers to benefits because those operations were never formally recognized as wartime service by Congress. Plus, a look at major human smuggling and labor trafficking cases uncovered across multiple states, ongoing debates over state and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, and new proposals affecting immigration detention oversight. Education reporter Esther Wickham breaks down the growing debate over taxpayer-funded college aid and in-state tuition benefits for certain non-citizen students, including the legal battle unfolding in Texas and the broader impact on higher education funding. And Ph.D. Economist Orphe Divounguy breaks down why black Americans in the 50 top metros struggle to get mortgages. Plus America's Talking CALIFORNIA - https://www.thecentersquare.com/california/article_de8726f9-4a80-4651-af24-c04a70ea2692.html OHIO - https://www.thecentersquare.com/ohio/article_3aa97e86-6c20-4baf-9576-41304e741355.html ILLINOIS - https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_c14f00b7-9ae2-415f-ba80-9361c62b4792.html Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- 3 days ago44 min
Supreme Court Lets New York Gun Lawsuit Move Forward | The States
Voters' opinions on redistricting, states debate election laws as Trump presses for the SAVE America Act, Georgia holds primary runoff as the legislature kicks off a special session, and California advances state budget in Senate. New polling shows Americans are divided over congressional redistricting as states consider redrawing political maps ahead of the 2026 midterms. We break down the latest Voters' Voice Poll findings, examine voter attitudes toward gerrymandering and independent redistricting commissions, and discuss what election experts say about the growing trend of mid-decade map changes. Election law battles continue across the country as lawmakers debate voter ID requirements, proof of citizenship measures, voter roll maintenance, and mail ballot rules. We look at the latest developments in Congress, California, Arizona, and a pending U.S. Supreme Court case that could affect how states handle ballots after Election Day. Georgia voters head to the polls in critical Republican runoff elections that could shape the state's political future. We discuss the closely watched governor and U.S. Senate races, the endorsements driving the campaigns, and what the results could mean heading into November. State budget negotiations are reaching a critical stage from coast to coast. California lawmakers advance a $355.9 billion spending plan, Pennsylvania leaders face pressure to avoid another costly budget impasse, Illinois approves its largest state budget ever, and Georgia prepares for a special session that could impact taxes, elections, and local governments. Plus, America's Talking: New York: https://www.thecentersquare.com/new_york/article_2144834b-1954-4bf9-b441-11643fa7d6b7.html Florida: https://www.thecentersquare.com/florida/article_e68b7c00-da3a-479f-a9e4-76175cbc54d0.html Illinois: https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_0e22530b-ebe9-4253-b8a1-e3d5fa5dea41.html Louisiana: https://www.thecentersquare.com/louisiana/article_0b5b7a66-5c38-4163-a297-dab7bd5e8308.html The States delivers taxpayer-focused reporting from around America, powered by The Center Square. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- 4 days ago44 min
Washington State's 'Hate' Hotline Gets Dueling Reports on Somali Daycare Fraud | The States
Illinois independent candidate for governor, Trump admin freezes LA homelessness funding, Washington state Somali daycare controversy sparks dueling bias incident hotline reports, and Trump not sure about renewing USMCA trade agreement. On today's episode of The States, - Greg Bishop breaks down the latest economic data showing wages failing to keep pace with rising costs and what it means for taxpayers across the country. - Independent Illinois gubernatorial candidate Colin Corbett discusses affordability, taxes, energy policy, and his effort to qualify for the November ballot. - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development freezes funding tied to Los Angeles homelessness programs amid allegations of financial mismanagement. - The Center Square investigative reporter TJ Martinell explains newly released records from Washington state's bias incident hotline connected to the ongoing Somali daycare fraud controversy. - President Donald Trump signals uncertainty about renewing the USMCA trade agreement as lawmakers and industry experts weigh potential impacts on energy, manufacturing, and consumers. Plus, America's Talking: TEXAS: https://www.thecentersquare.com/texas/article_72a5cfe4-0c59-4786-af50-23c0d3f2c636.html GEORGIA: https://www.thecentersquare.com/georgia/article_89be4574-f1a5-45b5-93a5-5328006c7b91.html NEVADA: https://www.thecentersquare.com/nevada/article_04b7b4f4-a9f0-40a2-8220-c75e61308916.html NORTH CAROLINA: https://www.thecentersquare.com/north_carolina/article_18006a0f-f956-4b3c-b5c8-5795db58a792.html Subscribe for daily coverage of state government, taxpayer issues, public policy, and the stories shaping America from the statehouse to Washington. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- 5 days ago48 min
Illinois Gov. Suspends Incentives for Data Centers | Weekend Edition
On this edition of the Center Square Radio Hour, Data centers are facing scrutiny across the country and Illinois is the latest state to put a pause on incentives for companies to build in their state. Michigan lawmakers remain divided over the future of the state's Rx Kids program as House Republicans continue scrutinizing the initiative. A plan to tax digital advertising for the first time and use the estimated $500 million in new annual revenue to give property tax rebates to seniors won bipartisan, final approval from the Pennsylvania House Tuesday. And a variety of economic forces are contributing to the slow down in the jobs market and AI is only one of them. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- 1 weeks ago43 min
Second Amendment Clash: Court Strips Gun Rights After Repeat DUIs | The Center Square Daily
Polling on voters' priorities, gun debates in states across the country, an investigative report on a nonprofit using federal grants for work outside its original scope, and Social Security's projected insolvency. Inflation remains the top concern for American voters, according to the latest Center Square Voters' Voice Poll. Greg Bishop speaks with Noble Predictive Insights founder Mike Noble about rising economic anxiety, shifting voter priorities, concerns over government accountability, and what the latest polling could mean for the 2026 midterm elections and the 2028 presidential race. In America's Talking, Firearms Friday examines a major Washington state Supreme Court ruling that allows repeat DUI offenders to lose their Second Amendment rights. The segment also explores ongoing debates over gun regulations in New York, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Colorado as lawmakers, courts, and advocacy groups continue to battle over firearm access, public safety, and constitutional protections. The Center Square investigative reporter Mark Stricherz joins the show to discuss a taxpayer-funded nonprofit that received millions in federal grants while expanding its work beyond financial regulation into broader social and political issues, raising questions about accountability and oversight. The program also covers growing concerns about Social Security's projected insolvency, congressional reactions to the latest trustees report, and what benefit cuts could mean for future retirees. Plus, a look at the most affordable states for summer road trips as families weigh travel plans amid elevated costs and inflation. Subscribe for daily reporting on the policies, taxes, and political debates impacting taxpayers across America. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- 1 weeks ago37 min
How Much Does Your State Make on Beer Taxes? | The Center Square Daily
Faster Labor Contracts Act in the U.S. House, digital advertising taxes, U.S. rep calls out Chicago Public Schools, and how much are you paying in taxes for beer. A major labor bill is advancing through Congress, and supporters say it will help workers secure contracts faster. Critics warn the Faster Labor Contracts Act could expand federal involvement in labor negotiations, increase costs for employers, and impact small businesses facing unionization for the first time. Greg Bishop speaks with Americans for Prosperity Employment Policy Fellow Austin Bannon about what the legislation could mean if it advances in the Senate. Also in today's episode, Pennsylvania lawmakers debate a first-of-its-kind digital advertising tax that could generate hundreds of millions of dollars for property tax relief, while critics warn the costs could ultimately be passed on to consumers and small businesses. The Center Square Regional Editor Christen Smith breaks down the proposal and its uncertain future in the state Senate. Plus, members of Congress examine troubling education outcomes across the country, including low reading and math proficiency rates in Chicago Public Schools. Lawmakers also spar over gender ideology in schools and whether those debates are distracting from efforts to improve academic performance. In America's Talking, Greg highlights state-level debates over property taxes, veteran tax exemptions, conservation funding, and local government spending before taking a look at where Americans pay the highest and lowest taxes on beer. Subscribe for daily reporting on the policies, taxes, and political debates impacting taxpayers across America. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- 1 weeks ago45 min
Data Centers vs. Taxpayers? The National Fight Over AI Infrastructure | The Center Square Daily
North Carolina Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley joins Greg Bishop to discuss the race against former Governor Roy Cooper, the issues shaping the campaign, and why control of the U.S. Senate could be critical heading into the November elections. Whatley weighs in on taxes, public safety, economic policy, and how Republicans plan to appeal to independent voters in one of the nation's most closely watched Senate contests. Georgia drivers are seeing relief at the pump after state lawmakers and Governor Brian Kemp suspended the state's fuel tax, allowing motorists to keep more money in their pockets. We examine how the tax holiday has impacted state revenues, what it means for taxpayers, and how gas tax rates compare across the country. The battle over AI data centers is heating up nationwide as states and local governments wrestle with questions about energy use, water consumption, tax incentives, infrastructure costs, and economic development. From Tennessee and Wisconsin to Virginia, Louisiana, North Carolina, and Illinois, officials are taking dramatically different approaches as communities weigh the promises and potential costs of massive new projects. Illinois lawmakers and Governor J.B. Pritzker remain divided over data center tax incentives and future development policies, while local communities debate whether the projects create enough long-term jobs to justify public support. Also in this episode: • Pennsylvania lawmakers advance election administration changes involving mail-in ballots. • Georgia voters continue casting ballots ahead of key primary runoff elections. • North Carolina's sports betting revenues continue to grow. • Wisconsin business owners report concerns about rising property taxes and the state's economic direction. • A new study examines where fast food takes the biggest bite out of household budgets and what that says about affordability across America. America's Talking: Pennsylvania - https://www.thecentersquare.com/pennsylvania/article_7bac4c90-a6ab-4a26-a44b-30e39a4020ff.html Georgia - https://www.thecentersquare.com/georgia/article_decb265e-e1ad-43e8-b028-086a947d5186.html North Carolina - https://www.thecentersquare.com/north_carolina/article_3ace709a-3483-42a0-a3d4-949d5d85d8b0.html Wisconsin - https://www.thecentersquare.com/wisconsin/article_a0e0d680-503b-4ce8-88dc-6e70512b2a16.html Join Greg Bishop for stories impacting taxpayers, businesses, and communities across the country. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
About The States
The States is a show that highlights the work of The Center Square reporters from statehouses across the country to Washington D.C. all with an eye towards the impacts of today's news on the taxpayer.
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