The States

Florida Tax Watch launched a Property Tax Resource Center to help voters evaluate a November constitutional amendment that would raise the non-school homestead exemption to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, cutting local government revenue by an estimated $12 billion annually within five years. Florida Tax Watch's Kurt Wenner said the measure doesn't restrict local governments from raising millage rates, fees, or special assessments to offset the lost revenue, and separately found the state's $113.8 billion budget included $4.5 billion in appropriations shifted to the prior fiscal year and about $830 million in "budget turkey" projects that bypassed standard review.

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The U.S. national debt topped $40 trillion Wednesday, up from $39 trillion just five months ago, with the government adding more than $90,000 per second and fiscal year 2026 deficit spending projected to hit $2 trillion. Watchdog groups called the figure "intergenerational theft," noting the U.S. now spends more on debt interest than national defense, while House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington called the debt an "existential threat." 

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case on whether Arizona's law requiring documented proof of citizenship and removal of non-citizens from voter rolls conflicts with the federal National Voter Registration A...

A Center Square investigation found the NEA spent more than $51 million and the AFT more than $41 million on political activities and lobbying in 2025, with both unions contributing thousands of dollars each to all 16 Democratic members of the U.S. Committee on Education and Labor and no contributions to any Republican committee member.

Maryland's Tax Court struck down the state's five-year-old digital advertising tax on multiple constitutional grounds, ordering an estimated $500-700 million in refunds with interest; the Tax Foundation's Jared Walczak said Illinois, Utah, and Washington — which have similar taxes — are watching closely since the ruling's reasoning coul...

President Trump said he'll declare the Strait of Hormuz a U.S. territory after defeating Iran, but no federal agency — including the Department of War — has provided a cost estimate for controlling the waterway, which runs through Iranian and Omani territorial waters that neither country is offering to cede. Gas prices have climbed to $4.06 a gallon nationally, up from $4.01 a week earlier and $3.13 a year ago, coinciding with the ongoing conflict.

A joint report from energy research groups found blue states average significantly higher electricity prices than red states, driven by renewable energy mandates, natural gas infrastructure rest...

A new Urban Institute tool tracking 2023 data found large gaps between eligibility and enrollment in means-tested programs — SNAP had the highest participation rate nationally at about 57-60%, while LIHEAP had the lowest at 17%, with wide state-by-state variation. Senior fellow Linda Giannarelli said non-participation stems from lack of awareness, application hurdles, and underestimating one's own eligibility, and that entitlement programs like SNAP have no funding caps while block-grant programs like LIHEAP run out of money before all eligible applicants are served.

Louisiana's new Act 795 now requires nongovernmental organizations administering taxpayer-funded assistance to verify recipients' citizenship or immigration status an...

On this edition of the Center Square Radio Hour, In the past decade, government grants to nonprofits and the number that receive tax money has doubled, raising questions about whether public money is being wasted. Illinois state officials awarded more than $170,000 in taxpayer money to a nonprofit that paid for PTSD injections that don't have strong evidence backing them up. The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case that could determine the future of legal actions over energy companies' contributions to climate change. And a look at the cost of government borrowing and how it reaches...

Hillsdale professor Richard Samuelson discussed the distinction between inalienable rights and government-granted privileges, tracing the Bill of Rights' 1791 ratification and how it secured broader public support for the Constitution. Samuelson said modern technology and past emergencies have repeatedly tested constitutional protections, and warned that civil rights-era government oversight of associations could be a future pressure point on free speech and privacy.

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22 states, led in part by Illinois AG Kwame Raoul and New York AG Letitia James, sued the Trump administration and Department of Transportation over a demand for the full Commercial...

Facing scrutiny over surveillance concerns and security breaches, Flock announced it's cutting license plate data retention from 30 to 7 days, adding an "evidence mode" for active investigations, letting cities restrict which offense categories other agencies can search, and requiring all customers to adopt upgraded audit-log tools by year's end. CEO Garrett Langley said Flock also added automatic account lockouts for abnormal user activity and hired security firm Bishop Fox for an independent review, with findings expected to be published later this year.

Second Amendment Foundation's Bill Sack said the DOJ let a stay expire without appealing a...

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley won Wisconsin's Democratic gubernatorial nomination despite having dropped out of the race, defeating Rep. Francesca Hong and setting up a November matchup against Republican Tom Tiffany, while Sen. Amy Klobuchar won Minnesota's Democratic nomination to face House Speaker Lisa DeMuth. In Connecticut, former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin defeated 78-year-old, 14-term Rep. John Larson, while Vermont's progressive challengers largely lost to moderate incumbents.

West Virginia state Delegate Tristan Leavitt said Flock Safety's government relations head, Kevin Kane, testified the company's cameras had never been hacked despite past incidents including unauthorized access to 60 cameras...

Wisconsin, Minnesota, Connecticut, Vermont, and Alabama held primaries under widely varying voter ID requirements, with attorney Stephen Kaufman arguing that federal and state voter-ID/citizenship-documentation efforts amount to voter suppression rather than integrity measures. The U.S. Senate's Save America Act, which would require documentary proof of citizenship for federal voter registration, remains stalled short of the 60 votes needed, while a related California ballot measure (Proposition 39) requiring in-person voter ID and partial ID numbers on mail ballots faces ongoing litigation over ballot language.

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Wisconsin governor primary: Democratic candidates State Rep. Francesca...

The Liberty Justice Center filed an amicus brief asking the Supreme Court to review a Fourth Circuit ruling that upheld a Maryland school district's policy requiring teachers to use students' preferred pronouns without notifying parents, citing conflict with the Court's earlier ruling in Mirabelli v. Bonta. The group also sent demand letters to Washington, Illinois, New York, and New Jersey over similar state-level policies allowing students to socially transition at school without parental notification, arguing the practices violate FERPA and constitutional parental rights.

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President Trump signed executive orders targeting birth tourism...

On this edition of the Center Square Radio Hour, thirty-one states have opted in to the federal Education Freedom  Scholarship Program, while 19 states and Washington, D.C. have not, ahead of the January 2027 deadline. 

California Gov. Gavin Newsom and his wife released the last four years of tax returns late last week, providing a glimpse into their financial life over the last four years of Newsom’s  time in office.

The notary public who certified that a Georgia judge's brother signed a  will 12 days before his death once certified another signature for the  judge's family—by a dead...

Confidential documents show nearly two dozen state attorneys general, including 21 Democrats, signed a plan as early as April 2024 — nine months before Trump took office — to coordinate litigation against his administration, with a former Republican AG calling the practice a politicized waste of resources.

A federal judge in Texas ruled the NFA's registration requirement for short-barreled rifles and suppressors unconstitutional, reasoning that Congress can't require registration tied to a $200 transfer tax that lawmakers eliminated last year; the ruling is stayed seven days and currently applies only to plaintiffs in gun-rights associational groups.

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Yesterday several states went to the polls to decide primary contests ahead of November's midterm election. Progressive Abdul El-Sayed defeated Rep. Haley Stevens by roughly 16,000 votes in Michigan's Democratic primary and will face Trump-endorsed Republican Mike Rogers, who leads recent polling 46.7% to 42.3%, in November. In Virginia, retired Army Major General Bert Mizusawa won the Republican Senate primary with 52.5% of the vote and will face Democratic Sen. Mark Warner in November. Missouri's Amendment 5, which would have gradually phased out the state income tax in favor of an expanded sales tax base, failed by more than 1.1 million to 233,000 votes, with analysts...

Former Seattle Police Chief Sean Barnes resigned following communication breakdowns after a mass shooting at the Bite of Seattle Festival left three dead, with public records showing a five-hour delay before officials held a press conference. Text messages obtained by The Center Square show Washington Governor Bob Ferguson was not responsible for the delay, while reporting also revealed Barnes doesn't live in Washington state and received a $700,000+ severance package on top of a $300,000+ salary.

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A Legislative Inspector General report found former Democratic state Rep. Harry Benton committed two founded acts of...

Welcome to The Center Square Radio Hour, your source for taxpayer centric straight news from across America. I’m your host greg bishop. Be sure to follow all of today’s stories at The Center Square dot com.

On this edition of the Center Square Radio Hour,

Democratic party fundraising organization ActBlue continues to be scrutinized after questionable campaign contributions are investigated.

Prosecuting Animal rights activists storming a dog breeder over alleged animal mistreatment could end up costing taxpayers millions

Parental rights around gender identity and the...

Seattle's police chief resigns after criticism over the city's response to a deadly mass shooting, raising new questions about public safety and government accountability. Plus, a new national report grades colleges on free speech, New York Governor Kathy Hochul pushes new gun restrictions, Wisconsin's Act 10 returns to court, and President Trump launches the Freedom Haulers initiative to help veterans earn commercial driver's licenses. In today's episode of The States, powered by The Center Square: Seattle Police Chief resigns after mass shooting controversy New campus free speech rankings from FIRE New York proposes tougher firearm sales restrictions Virginia assault weapons...

The States with Greg Bishop covers today's biggest political and economic headlines from across the country. In this episode: The U.S. Senate prepares to vote on holding Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress following his testimony before lawmakers. Florida launches an investigation into Fauci after the congressional hearing. Illinois ethics investigations continue as lawmakers examine corruption allegations involving state officials. A federal judge rules against Illinois' in-state tuition policy for some illegal immigrants. The Department of Education investigates school districts over parental rights and student gender identity records. The latest on efforts to dismantle the U.S...

President Donald Trump defends his tariff policy and discusses the conflict with Iran as the Federal Reserve prepares for a critical interest rate decision. We also examine questions surrounding ActBlue donations, hear from Republican Illinois U.S. Senate candidate Don Tracy, and break down the economic pressures shaping the 2026 election.

In today's episode:

Trump's latest comments on tariffs, manufacturing, and Iran

Will the Federal Reserve raise interest rates?

Questions surrounding ActBlue donation records

Illinois U.S. Senate race interview with Don Tracy

Everyday Economics: How tariffs, war...

Could taxpayers spend millions of dollars prosecuting animal rights activists who say they were trying to rescue abused dogs? In this episode of The States, Greg Bishop examines the Wisconsin case involving Ridglan Farms, a commercial beagle breeder accused of animal cruelty, and the activists now facing felony burglary and theft charges after entering the property to remove dogs. Center Square investigative reporter Jared Strong explains how allegations of abuse led to a court-ordered investigation, why a special prosecutor ultimately chose not to pursue felony animal cruelty charges against the breeder, and why dozens of activists are now headed...

On this edition of the Center Square Radio Hour, Michigan regulators have approved key permits for Enbridge’s proposed Line 5 tunnel beneath the Straits of Mackinac. In an effort to escape the proposed California billionaire tax, several notable billionaires might have already cost the state more than $1 trillion in tax revenue by moving to other states, one attorney to the rich told The Center Square. The Nashville Metropolitan Council approved a moratorium on data center development until Dec. 1 and new regulations in light of opposition to a data center proposed near the Nashville Zoo. And America remains 4.7 million homes shor...

Gun ban debate in Virginia, Non-citizens on the voter rolls, and Pres. Trump touts the Ratepayer protection pledge.

Virginia Citizens Defense League President Philip Van Cleave said two of four lawsuits against the state's assault firearm and magazine bans have won injunctions, with the broadest one (issued July 21) blocking all law enforcement and prosecutors statewide from enforcing the law. Van Cleave predicted the bans will ultimately be struck down once the U.S. Supreme Court rules on pending Cook County, Illinois and Connecticut gun-ban cases, and noted many Virginia prosecutors and sheriffs have already said they won't...

Congress debates budget reform, taxes can't make up U.S. deficit according to the Tax Foundation, New Orleans' prosecutor drops charges against Louisiana AG, and Nashville places moratorium on data centers.

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee examined proposals to prevent government shutdowns, including a bipartisan Lankford-Hassan bill that would require Congress to stay in session seven days a week focused solely on appropriations until funding is resolved.  Tax Foundation Chief Economist William McBride said the U.S. is spending more than $1 trillion annually on debt interest with debt-to-GDP near 100% and projected to reach 175% by 2056, driven p...

Illinois Attorney General race, suspected Medicaid fraud, California's billionaires' tax, and governors' across the country speak.

Illinois Republican AG candidate Bob Fioretti called for Democratic State Rep. Carol Ammons and her husband, Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons, to resign following federal corruption charges against them, and said the incumbent AG's office has been too hands-off on public corruption cases, including the Michael Madigan prosecution. Fioretti criticized incumbent AG Kwame Raoul for joining more than 65 multistate lawsuits against the Trump administration and for receiving campaign contributions from Governor Pritzker, Madigan-linked sources, and ComEd-connected entities.

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Arizona's primaries, AI in government transparency, Illinois FOID card challenge, Michigan's Line 5 project, and states with the best schools.

Arizona voters are deciding primaries for governor, attorney general, and superintendent of public instruction, with polls suggesting Republican Andy Biggs will emerge as Governor Katie Hobbs' November opponent over David Schweikert.  

Reveal's Jeff Wolff discussed how AI is being used at federal, state, and local levels to speed up public records requests, reduce processing costs, and improve auditing, while noting AI interactions themselves create new discoverable government records.

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I...

A U.S. service member's remains were found in northern Iraq, bringing the death toll since the Iran conflict began on February 28 to 18, as CENTCOM conducted its ninth consecutive night of strikes and continues enforcing a naval blockade of Iranian ports. Gas prices have risen to just over $4 a gallon nationally, up from $3.14 a year ago, coinciding with the escalating conflict.

In Illinois, Republican Lieutenant Governor candidate Aaron Del Mar outlined a Bailey-Del Mar administration platform focused on rolling back Illinois' gas and property taxes, reforming NGO grant spending, and addressing the "member initiative" program that gives...

On this edition of the Center Square Radio Hour, first the Colorado Attorney General's Office refused to accept payment for public records related to their lawsuits. Then, they delayed processing the request until after Attorney General Phil Weiser secured the Democratic nomination for governor. Now, his office wants to charge a total of $5,129.88 for those same records, an increase of $4,840.29 compared to his initial estimate. The U.S. is signaling a significant shift in the Middle East as President Donald Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth met with the Iraqi prime minister to announce the end of military ope...

Tennessee corporate incentives, Arizona primaries next week, and wildfires across Canada send smoke through several states.

Tennessee has awarded more than $760 million in grants to about 585 companies over eight years to attract jobs, including a $30 million grant to Starbucks for a new Nashville headquarters, drawing criticism from groups calling the program "corporate welfare." The state has clawed back $92.4 million from 55 companies since 2016 across 71 enforcement actions, but is still owed $20.1 million from 18 companies, including a case where a company that got $3 million and created zero jobs saw its owners imprisoned on wire fraud charges.

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The Illinois Attorney General's office spent more than $2 million on private attorneys in recent years, mostly defending two lawsuits against prison officials, despite having roughly 450 in-house attorneys. Several contracted firms and their attorneys donated to AG Kwame Raoul's campaigns, and a watchdog group says the contracts raise integrity concerns even though the donations were legal and comparatively small.

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Rasmussen on 2026 election issues: Pollster Scott Rasmussen says gas prices will be the top factor in the 2026 midterms, with lower prices favoring Republicans. He says most voters who claim to like "socialism" don't...

On this edition of the Center Square Radio Hour, The trusts that fund Social Security benefits for retired seniors, survivors and people with disabilities face insolvency in the next six years. Washington Attorney General's Office spokesman told reporters there was “no story”  about AGO and legislative communications over the millionaire's tax, dismissing the investigation as “misinformation” and “nonsense.” Schools and government entities in Georgia and Tennessee are paying large sums of money to settle lawsuits with educators fired because of their comments about Charlie Kirk. And why the housing market is stuck.

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Illinois gun ban upheld by Appeals court, new AI regulations, Gov. Newsom addresses DOJ investigation and takes aim at President Trump, school fraud nationwide, and tax holidays.

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Illinois' assault weapons and magazine ban 2-1, with the case expected to move to the U.S. Supreme Court. Illinois' new AI regulation law requires large AI providers to publish safety governance statements and undergo independent audits, with real financial penalties for noncompliance.

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom addressed reports of DOJ investigations into his associates...

Lawmaker indicted for wire fraud in Illinois, Texas utilities navigate challenges, Washington Attorney General Office staff emails, and Ph.D. Economist Orphe Divounguy discusses housing market.

Illinois State Rep. Carol Ammons and her husband, Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons, were federally indicted on kickback and obstruction charges tied to campaign funds and taxpayer grants. The case has drawn scrutiny to Illinois' member initiative grant process, which Republicans say is prone to abuse. Illinois Minority Leader Tony McCombie joins to discusses the scandal and potential reforms.

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National gas prices are...

President Trump says the U.S. will likely strike Iran again, casting doubt on the ceasefire and floating a new blockade on the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices jump over 6% following renewed U.S.-Iran tensions.  

North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek discusses the work of the Auditor's Office including using AI to uncover wasteful spending, including a $61 million bridge project with no construction to show for it. Boliek also highlights DMV wait times cut 87% and Charlotte transit security findings following his office's audits. 

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New Veteran Protection Index ranks Al...

Free speech settlements, population shifts, unemployment trends, and AI safety legislation.  

The Center Square's Kim Jarrett joins to discuss the University of Tennessee's board voting in June to pay $1.9 million to settle with a professor fired last September over a personal social media post about Charlie Kirk's death; the board cited cost savings and didn't address the free speech questions raised. A former Oglethorpe County, Georgia teacher reportedly received $300,000 and an Austin Peay University professor got $500,000 while keeping his job, both over Kirk-related posts. A Perry County, Tennessee man spent a month in jail over a Facebook m...

Government Accountability Office estimates billions lost to fraud, U.S. colleges educating Chinese state-linked executives, egg price fixing lawsuit, the end of DOGE, and Michigan passes a state budget.

Sam Shulman, Director of Research at Strategy Risks, joins to discuss a report examining Missouri State University's MBA pipeline for Chinese state-linked executives. The program trained over 1,500 students over more than two decades. Graduates went on to lead Chinese defense and surveillance firms like AVIC and iFlytek. Estimated taxpayer cost of the program totals $54 million.

Also in this episode:

- A 2024 GAO report estimates...

On this edition of the Center Square Radio Hour, The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision on Monday, ruled that states can accept and count mail-in ballots received after the federal Election Day.

American voters overwhelmingly support their country’s founding ideals – yet the majority also believe that the U.S. is failing to live up to them, according to new polling.

 About half of Americans are confident about the future of democracy in the U.S., with political affiliation and support for Trump or Harris being the most significant demographic divides.

And...

We mark America's 250th birthday with a look at the Declaration of Independence's origins, the economics of the 4th of July, state independence rankings, and a new poll on how Americans view the country's founding principles today.  

Hillsdale College professor Richard Samuelson breaks down what really drove the Declaration of Independence — it wasn't just about tea taxes, but the fight for self-government. Samuelson also connects liberty to responsibility and makes the case for federalism, noting that freedom comes with the risk of failure.

A new Center Square/Noble Predictive Insights poll finds 86% of voters across par...

Pennsylvania's teacher pension fund falling short, SCOTUS agrees to hear Illinois gun case, polling shows divide in voters' confidence in the future of democracy, and states' firework taxes.

The Center Square's Mark Stricherz reports Pennsylvania's teacher pension fund is $41 billion short and only two-thirds funded, and the Pennsylvania Public School Retirement System blames private equity returns. Pennsylvania and six other states are pulling back their pension investments in private equity.

The Center Square's Voters' Voice Poll finds just 47% of Americans are confident in the future of U.S. democracy. Morgan Sweeney joins to discuss the...

SCOTUS upholds transgender athlete bans and defends birthright citizenship, Diana Russini traffic stop footage, state budget debates, and Trump's economic approval rating falling. 

The U.S. Supreme Court upholds state bans on transgender athletes in women's/girls' sports — Greg connects with Dr. Stanley Goldfarb of Do No Harm and Shannon Minter from National Center for LGBTQ Rights to get their reactions. SCOTUS also strikes down Trump's birthright citizenship executive order and a 50-year limit on political party campaign spending. SCOTUS agrees to hear new cases on immigration, energy, and voting rights for upcoming term. 

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SCOTUS rules states can count ballots after election day, states debate budgets, Colorado public records requests, tort reform, and Los Angeles superintendent resigns. 

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in Watson v. Republican National Committee that states can continue counting mail-in ballots received after Election Day, as long as they are postmarked by Election Day, allowing the practice to continue in 14 states and D.C. President Trump responded by calling the ruling a "tremendous loss" and renewed calls for Congress to pass the Save America Act, which would require voter ID, proof of citizenship, and restrict m...