The States

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 trial lawyers in high-stakes battle over coastal erosion lawsuits. While some are pointing out parallels between today's economy and the lead up to the Great Depression, there are some key differences.

Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 long-term costs to taxpayers and communities. 

Also in today’s episode: 

• Ohio pauses new data center tax breaks amid mounting scrutiny 

• Virginia county rejects a proposed mega data center campus 

• New York expands restrictions on 3D-printed “ghost guns” 

• Louisiana reaches a major coastal erosion settlement with ExxonMobil 

• California advances legislation to expand housing near transit hubs 

• North Carolina restricts state employees from using insider information on prediction markets 

The Center Square Daily brings you state-driven stories with national consequences — covering the policies, spending battles, infrastructure fights, and political debates impacting taxpayers across America. 

New York: https://www.thecentersquare.com/new_york/article_310dcf9a-09a5-40a1-b1b2-4db8102a7b13.html 

Louisiana: https://www.thecentersquare.com/news/national/article_02cfc3d3-ec25-40f8-8199-07963e6c8b1b.html 

California: https://www.thecentersquare.com/california/article_8d5d6d21-90e4-4a54-9cc8-2fb1aeb27dd1.html 

North Carolina: https://www.thecentersquare.com/north_carolina/article_317b7385-4917-47e0-99d7-330771d09767.html 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Center Square's investigative reporting reveals Sen. Bernie Sanders spent more than $600,000 in campaign funds on private jets, luxury hotels, and chauffeured transportation during his anti-oligarchy tour — raising questions about elite spending while campaigning against wealthy political influence. 

Meanwhile, Illinois and Wisconsin are redefining what “student success” means as debates grow over academic standards, chronic absenteeism, and declining test scores. Critics argue schools are lowering accountability measures while supporters say education systems need to focus more on career readiness, communication skills, and adapting to a changing workforce. 

Also in today’s episode: 

• Illinois changes school attendance accountability standards 

• Wisconsin launches “Portrait of a Graduate” education initiative 

• National concerns grow over student proficiency and post-pandemic learning loss 

• Investigation details Bernie Sanders’ luxury campaign travel spending 

• Michigan Republicans push plan to cut housing and utility costs 

• Nevada congressional race focuses on AI data centers and public land sales 

• Pennsylvania lawmakers debate data center tax breaks and energy concerns 

For more taxpayer-focused reporting on education, investigative reporting, and statehouse news, visit The Center Square and subscribe for daily updates. 

Michigan: https://www.thecentersquare.com/michigan/article_86f1b3fb-081b-4743-a376-21af5cc618ae.html 

Nevada: https://www.thecentersquare.com/nevada/article_2088b417-622a-407e-98fe-df4ff709c223.html 

Pennsylvania: https://www.thecentersquare.com/pennsylvania/article_8cf0dac3-8d52-40ee-9cba-75f17f7529a7.html

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Legislation limits climate lawsuits, Congress fails to pass immigration enforcement spending, Texas primary upset, and Virginia gun bill creates controversy. Louisiana lawmakers advance a new climate lawsuit restriction bill while leaving existing coastal erosion cases intact, setting up a major legal and political fight over the future of energy litigation in the state. Supporters say the proposal protects Louisiana’s energy industry from broad climate claims, while environmental groups warn it could limit challenges to future carbon capture and pipeline projects. Meanwhile, Republicans in Congress are scrambling to finalize a $72 billion immigration and homeland security funding package after internal GOP disputes stalled negotiations ahead of President Donald Trump’s June 1 deadline. Disagreements over DOJ funding, ICE policy restrictions, and White House priorities have left lawmakers divided heading into the Memorial Day recess. 

Also in today’s episode: 

• Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton defeats Sen. John Cornyn in GOP runoff 

• Virginia Prosecutors pushback on new assault weapons restrictions 

• Debate continues over ICE enforcement and judicial warrant requirements 

• California and Washington drawn into new homelessness controversy 

• Louisiana energy companies face billions in potential coastal litigation exposure 

• Congress returns next week facing major immigration funding decisions 

For more taxpayer-focused reporting on national politics, energy policy, immigration enforcement, and taxpayer issues, visit The Center Square and subscribe for daily updates. 

Texas: https://www.thecentersquare.com/texas/article_7d95c51d-093e-4ccb-8dfd-7029a0734716.html 

Virginia: https://www.thecentersquare.com/virginia/article_d8073ec7-01c8-4939-a56d-f06c1dc98f4b.html 

Washington: https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_f470456b-c392-4984-93de-89e977890555.html

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Iran ceasefire remains in effect even as U.S. and Iran exchange fire, Louisiana debates carbon capture programs, some say AI is creating the next economic bubble, and Democratic business owners in Washington state are speaking out on the income tax debate. 

The Center Square's D.C. Bureau Chief Sarah Roderick-Fitch joins to discuss the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran which purportedly remains in effect despite strikes against the Islamic Republic and the country’s supreme leader renewing threats against the U.S. The Trump administration described the strikes as defensive, targeting Iranian boats that were reportedly laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran responding by launching missiles towards U.S. aircraft, leading to American forces attacking the launchers. The exchange of fire between the two countries comes amid renewed talks, with President Donald Trump seemingly optimistic that the U.S. and Iran are getting close to reaching a deal. 

Also in today’s episode: 

- Carbon capture programs stir up controversy in Louisiana 

- Similarities between current economic trends and those leading up to the Great Depression 

- Factors that contribute to and detract from the possibility of an AI bubble 

- Democratic business owners in Washington state are speaking out against their own party's policies after new 'Millionaires tax' 

For more taxpayer-focused reporting on national politics, energy policy, straight economic analysis, and taxpayer issues, visit The Center Square and subscribe for daily updates.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this edition of the Center Square Radio Hour, The California Capitol Annex Project is costing taxpayers at least $1.1 billion, but there’s only so much lawmakers are allowing the public to know about it. Democratic senators are advancing a series of proposals to tax America's wealthiest households, with supporters projecting trillions in new federal revenue but critics aren't so sure. As student walkouts and protests tied to immigration enforcement increase nationwide, education experts are raising concerns about declining civics proficiency among K-12 students and the growing role of political activism in schools. A handful of Republicans at the Wisconsin Capitol are asking for a second chance to vote on the proposed tax deal that died last week. And some are asking if Seattle's economic growth is stalling as their housing market appears to be cooling.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Federal prosecutors say a massive Medicaid and childcare fraud scheme in Minnesota stole more than $90 million from taxpayers, marking what officials describe as the largest autism fraud case ever charged by the Department of Justice. Investigators allege defendants billed for services never provided, paid kickbacks to parents, and used taxpayer-funded programs to finance luxury purchases including cars, jewelry, and real estate. 

Meanwhile, the United States Environmental Protection Agency is rolling back refrigerant regulations in a move the Trump administration says could lower grocery costs, protect jobs, and reduce compliance burdens for supermarkets and small businesses. Critics argue the rollback weakens climate protections and could create long-term economic and environmental consequences after companies already invested heavily to comply with earlier federal standards. 

Also in today’s episode: 

Illinois: https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_0420a047-8714-4616-a271-ee890fa6ae89.html 

Texas: https://www.thecentersquare.com/texas/article_3d63f2f7-f2e8-4ad5-bd85-d856bfc9dbb0.html 

Pennsylvania: https://www.thecentersquare.com/pennsylvania/article_26c459cc-7a20-4846-8dcd-251ed0f294f0.html 

Wisconsin: http://thecentersquare.com/wisconsin/article_9ea19de8-f401-43a6-a411-f8a3dbd5701a.html

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Illinois lawmakers are raising questions about highly paid diversity commissioners and outside consulting work after new disclosures tied to the state’s $6 million Commission on Equity and Inclusion. Critics say the agency’s reported contracting progress may be misleading while the number of certified minority- and women-owned businesses eligible for state contracts has sharply declined amid ongoing system failures. Meanwhile, California’s controversial $1.1 billion Capitol renovation project is drawing renewed scrutiny over more than 2,000 non-disclosure agreements tied to lawmakers, contractors, and state officials. Republican Assemblyman Josh Hoover is pushing legislation to ban secrecy agreements on public projects, arguing taxpayers deserve transparency on rising costs, delays, and unusual contracting decisions tied to the decade-long construction effort. 

Also in today’s episode: 

• Natural gas, energy storage projects line up en masse to plug into power grid

• Michigan Republicans call for federal probe into Governor Gretchen Whitmer over taxpayer-funded grant scandal 

• North Carolina expands tax-credit support for private school donations 

• Washington pension officials warn retirement fund transfer could increase long-term liabilities 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Student walkouts tied to immigration protests, growing concerns over civics education and classroom activism, and billionaire tax proposals in Congress. 

For The Center Square Daily host Esther Wickham looks at schools seeing a sharp increase in student demonstrations connected to immigration enforcement and deportation policies. According to data highlighted by education researchers, school protest incidents have climbed from just 58 nationwide in 2022 to more than 400 in 2026. At the same time, national academic performance data continues to show major learning gaps, with more than 70% of K-12 students below proficiency in math and reading and only a small percentage of eighth graders demonstrating civics proficiency. Critics argue schools are increasingly encouraging political activism before students develop a strong understanding of constitutional government, immigration law, and public policy. 

The Center Square's Brett Rowland joins to discuss tax proposals from Democrats in Congress aimed at billionaires and ultra-wealthy Americans as lawmakers search for ways to address rising federal deficits and debt. Proposals backed by Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren would impose annual wealth taxes on billionaires and multimillionaires, with supporters arguing the plans could generate trillions in federal revenue. Critics, however, point to mixed results from similar policies in Europe, warning that tax avoidance strategies and constitutional challenges could limit the effectiveness of the proposals while taxpayers continue carrying the broader burden of federal spending. 

Plus America's Talking with headlines from across the country:  

Arizona: Gov. Hobbs faces scrutiny over China-related bills

Louisiana: Louisiana’s revamped orphan well cleanup program takes shape 

New York: Mamdani touts first city-owned grocery store

Illinois: Consumer advocates say Nicor’s rate hike is unreasonable, profit-driven 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Private nonprofit universities pay leaders millions of dollars, Louisiana students surpass pre-pandemic levels in reading and math, and a bill to protect the elderly from fraud languishes in Illinois legislature. Top private nonprofit universities that receive government funding pay some of their top leaders millions of dollars and one even received a $20 million longevity bonus, an investigation by The Center Square found. That is despite political leaders and others questioning the way the schools are funded and their political policies. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to revoke the tax-exempt status of the country's elite private universities, most recently alleging that some harbor "radical left" policies and stoke antisemitism. Others have long questioned the fairness of federal policies that allow the schools to skirt tax liabilities while they amass tens of billions of dollars in assets, develop patented technologies with government support that are worth hundreds of millions and pay their leaders handsomely. Louisiana officials on Wednesday touted the state’s continued rise in national education rankings, after a new scorecard placed Louisiana first in reading growth and second in math growth. The report, produced by researchers at Harvard, Stanford and Dartmouth, found Louisiana was the only state where average student performance has surpassed 2019 pre-pandemic levels in both reading and math. State officials credited literacy and math reforms, tutoring, school improvement efforts, high-quality instructional materials and a new statewide student attendance strategy. Gov. Jeff Landry also pointed to a return “back to the basics” and removal of “woke, DEI material” from curriculum. 

Plus America's Talking with headlines from across the country:  

Illinois: Bill to prevent fraud on elderly, disabled opposed by financial institutions 

Arizona: Mexican national sentenced in major Middle East-Mexico-Arizona smuggling scheme 

North Carolina: Cooper gets $31.4M share of $111.2M spend 

Ohio: Proposal would force agencies to ‘start over’ with budget every decade 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.