The States

On this edition of the Center Square Radio Hour, California will stop funding a state-wide database intended to uncover police misconduct and use-of-force records. Tennessee taxpayers are handing $30 million to Starbucks to open new corporate offices in the state. But at least 70 times, companies that promised to create jobs in exchange for government subsidies haven't held up their end of the bargain. Calling it a win for families, Ohio’s new attorney general last week praised a federal appeals court ruling that allows the state’s social media age verification law to take effect after sitting for more than two...

On this edition of the Center Square Radio Hour, State financial aid continues to expand within higher education, allowing money to go to eligible noncitizen students. The U.S. Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision on Thursday, agreed that a regular drug user cannot be stripped of the right to possess a firearm. As many states rushed to redraw congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterms, half of American voters say district lines should only be redrawn once a decade after the U.S. Census, a new national poll finds. A new analysis of Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data reveals a...

The Supreme Court ruled 9-0 that occasional marijuana users can own firearms — what does that actually mean for gun owners? Plus: voter pessimism hits a new high ahead of midterms, state unemployment numbers, SNAP fraud costs, and California's billionaire tax heads to the ballot. A unanimous Supreme Court ruled in favor of Ali Hamani, a man found with marijuana and a pistol, protecting his Second Amendment rights. Washington Gun Law's William Kirk joins the show to discuss what the ruling actually covers — and what it doesn't — for gun owners across the country.  Also on today's show:  - A ne...

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...

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 du...

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 de...

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 Hou...

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 t...

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 Co...

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 i...

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 t...

Election integrity questions in California, SCOTUS ruling on Biden-era regulations, Michigan cash assistance program, and a DOJ investigation into Philadelphia PD on the 2nd Amendment.  Primary elections take center stage as voters head to the polls in Maine, South Carolina, and North Dakota, while questions about election administration and voter confidence continue to dominate headlines nationwide. Greg Bishop speaks with former Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer about California's prolonged vote-counting process, mail-in ballots, election integrity concerns, and what voters should expect heading into the 2026 midterms. The U.S. Supreme Court has released another major ruling, s...

IRS migration data reveals major shifts in where Americans are living and paying taxes, election integrity questions continue after California's primary, new curriculum aims to address civics education, and state lawmakers debate fraud prevention and government accountability. New IRS data shows hundreds of thousands of taxpayers—and billions of dollars in adjusted gross income—moving from high-tax states like California, New York, and Illinois to states such as Texas, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Tax Foundation policy analyst Abir Mandal breaks down which states are gaining residents, which are losing taxpayers, and what those migration tren...

On this edition of the Center Square Radio Hour, a California commission reported a “troubling increase” in the number of cases where government officials spend taxpayer dollars to illegally campaign for or against local ballot measures. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced a $4 billion funding opportunity for homelessness services on Monday, shifting away from the Housing First model. Louisiana closed out its legislative session with a $47 Billion operating budget. And Mortgage rates are increasing, even as the Fed holds steady.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about...

Gun control lawsuits, World Cup economic promises, Nevada's primary election, unemployment rankings, and taxpayer accountability debates across the states lead today's edition of The Center Square Daily.  Gun owners across the country continue to watch major Second Amendment cases working their way through the courts while state legislatures consider new firearm restrictions and regulations. U.S. Law Shield President Kirk Evans joins the program to discuss pending U.S. Supreme Court cases, legal challenges to firearm purchase waiting periods, proposed handgun restrictions, FOID card changes in Illinois, and the broader legal landscape facing gun owners heading into t...

Illinois lawmakers face criticism over transparency, spending, and tax increases following the end of legislative session, federal housing officials propose a major shift in homelessness policy, and The Center Square reports from the White House on economic and public safety issues.  Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie joins The Center Square Daily to discuss the state's record-setting budget, legislative pay raises, new taxes and fees, and concerns about transparency during the final hours of session. McCombie argues taxpayers are paying more while receiving little relief from rising costs, criticizing the state's spending priorities and warning that continued t...

California primary election results, Louisiana's newly approved state budget, and gun policy debates from Congress to city halls across America on today's edition of The Center Square Daily.  California voters narrowed the field in key congressional, statewide, and local races as the state’s top-two primary system once again shaped the November ballot. Republican and Democratic candidates advanced in several closely watched contests, including the governor’s race and congressional districts that could influence the balance of power in Washington. The results also highlighted ongoing debates over California’s unique election structure and voter priorities heading into the gen...

Illinois lawmakers pass a record $56 billion budget with tax increases and legislative pay raises, California voters weigh local tax measures amid concerns over taxpayer-funded election messaging, and voters head to the polls in six states for primary elections.  Illinois lawmakers concluded their regular legislative session by approving the state's largest budget ever, including new taxes on social media platforms, predictive markets, and other revenue sources. The spending plan also raises legislative salaries above $101,000 annually. Supporters say the budget remains balanced despite federal funding uncertainty, while critics argue taxpayers continue to face growing government spending, higher taxes, and r...

On this edition of the Center Square Radio Hour, Sen. Bernie Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist from Vermont, has spent nearly $608,000 on private jets, chauffeured cars, and upscale hotels since last year during his anti-oligarchy tour. Congress headed into recess this past week without passing a major $72 billion immigration and homeland security funding package, exposing divisions among Republicans over ICE, CBP, and Department of Justice funding priorities. Lawmakers in Louisiana voted Tuesday to approve legislation designed to shield Louisiana energy companies from future climate change litigation while leaving existing lawsuits intact, potentially signaling a victory for the state’s tr...

A devastating industrial accident at a Washington paper mill has become the deadliest workplace disaster in recent state history after a chemical tank implosion left eight dead and several others missing. Investigators are still searching for answers as concerns grow over environmental impacts near the Columbia River.  Meanwhile, Wisconsin’s Dane County is considering an 18-month moratorium on new hyperscale data centers as states across America grapple with the explosive growth of AI infrastructure. Local officials are weighing concerns over power demand, water usage, tax incentives, and whether the economic promises of massive data center projects outweigh the...