The States

Jim Talamonti hosts The Center Square Daily, a review of some of today's top headlines including no-cash bail in Illinois and a redistricting decision out of the U.S. Supreme Court. Illinois lawmakers from both parties are calling for changes to the SAFE-T Act after a fatal shooting involving a Chicago police officer, intensifying debate over pretrial release policies, electronic monitoring and whether current law gives judges too much discretion in cases involving repeat or violent offenders. Critics argue the policy could pose public safety risks, while supporters have defended the law’s broader criminal justice reforms, setting up renewed legislative battles that could impact taxpayers, court systems and law enforcement resources. We also cover a major U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down Louisiana’s congressional map, with justices finding the state relied too heavily on race in drawing a second majority-Black district. The decision sends the case back to lower courts and raises fresh uncertainty over how district lines will be redrawn ahead of the 2026 elections, with potential implications for representation, election administration and the cost of ongoing legal challenges. Watch for a full breakdown of these criminal justice, redistricting and government policy stories, including how they could affect public safety, elections and taxpayer-funded systems. 

Plus America's Talking with quick hits from across the country: 

Florida - https://www.thecentersquare.com/florida/article_ab41a156-343c-42e4-bfb3-5c439919f1d5.html 

California - https://www.thecentersquare.com/california/article_f44da1ca-e037-4942-8be4-72cf5eb85da0.html 

Energy - https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_648bdc91-559d-4909-8a7c-2f45da1c68b3.html

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Esther Wickham hosts The Center Square Daily, a review of some of the top headlines concerning taxpayers across the country. 

On today’s show, we examine concerns over taxpayer dollars in the San Francisco Unified School District being used for Pride Month events and LGBTQ+ materials. What supporters call inclusion, critics say is a focus on the wrong things as student test scores continue to drop. The Center Square’s Andrew Rice joins us to break down major movement in Congress on the first Farm Bill since 2018, efforts to reauthorize FISA, and the fight over DHS funding. With these high-stakes bills facing hurdles and awaiting House debate at the time of recording, we look at what’s at stake for taxpayers and federal policy. 

Plus, America's Talking with quick hits from across the country: 

Arizona: https://www.thecentersquare.com/arizona/article_d8b1d0b3-9205-4f7c-9f6f-f0e39e9a707f.html 

Michigan: https://www.thecentersquare.com/michigan/article_7be33a44-70d6-4abd-b997-4b5d7ba49aff.html 

Minnesota: https://www.thecentersquare.com/minnesota/article_46ecaac3-9c53-4419-bdda-9181268b2ecf.html 

Nevada: https://www.thecentersquare.com/nevada/article_29e3a111-6eb4-4f62-ab29-7b0938dd3e44.html 

North Carolina: https://www.thecentersquare.com/north_carolina/article_7114dea6-7cb9-407e-ab28-7acdfeefbdec.html 

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Greg Bishop hosts The Center Square Daily, a review of some of the top headlines concerning taxpayers across the country. 

On today’s show, we look at President Trump’s White House visit with the royals, the irony of the visit as America approaches 250 years of independence, and how the nation’s founding fight over “no taxation without representation” still echoes in today’s tax debates. Washington State Associate Editor Carleen Johnson joins to discuss one of those debates unfolding now in Washington state, where a newly passed income tax on millionaires has sparked fierce political and legal battles since moving through the statehouse and being signed into law. 

Plus, Square Up the Vote 2026, our coverage of the 2026 midterm elections. Today, we examine the crowded Georgia governor’s race as early voting opens ahead of the May 19 primary. 

Get the latest on tax policy, state politics, election coverage, and taxpayer-focused news from across America. Subscribe for more coverage on taxpayer issues, state government and public policy news. 

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Greg Bishop hosts The Center Square Daily, a review of some of the top headlines concerning taxpayers across the country. 

On today’s show, we have a first hand account from The Center Square's D.C. Bureau Chief who was at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday night when the shooting occurred. We also look at renewed calls for gun control measures following this high profile shooting as well as the broader debate around the 2nd amendment and court cases addressing it. 

We also cover an attack on two Chicago police officers resulting in one dead and one severely injured. Illinois Rep. Patrick Sheenan weighs in on what he thinks can be done on a legislative level to prevent events like these. 

Plus, America's Talking with quick hits from around the country: 

Georgia - Early voting begins Monday for Georgia's May 19 primary 

California - New bill in California aims to study A.I.'s impact on jobs, workforce 

Louisiana - Louisiana vows crime crackdown after mall shooting 

Florida - Budget negotiations move forward; special session next month 

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On this edition of the Center Square Radio Hour, Jill Underly, Wisconsin’s State Superintendent of the Department of Public Instruction, did not attend a Wednesday morning committee meeting she was invited to about her department’s 2024 standards-setting conference in the Wisconsin Dells but representatives from her department insist it was not a public meeting. According to a group of Republican lawmakers who comprise the Illinois Freedom Caucus, an Illinois state commission has failed its mission to aid businesses owned by racial minorities, women and people with disabilities and should therefore be disbanded California lawmakers are considering legislation that would expand required training for public officials to include instruction on anti-hate speech. And while some are saying the housing market is all a buyers market now, the data shows its a bit more complicated.

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Greg Bishop hosts The Center Square Daily, a review of some of the top headlines concerning taxpayers across the country. On today’s show, Houston officials have amended a city ordinance tied to immigration enforcement after pressure from Gov. Greg Abbott and the threat of lost state funding, raising broader questions about public safety policy, local control, federal cooperation and how immigration enforcement decisions can affect taxpayers and state resources. We also cover Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity’s refusal to authorize more than $1 million in payments for security upgrades at Gov. Josh Shapiro’s private residence, setting up a dispute involving multiple branches of government and sparking debate over legal authority, public spending oversight and the use of taxpayer funds. 

We also examine developments in Illinois as Gov. J.B. Pritzker pushes for quick action on legislation providing tax breaks for the Chicago Bears and other megaprojects, with lawmakers continuing to debate subsidies, economic development incentives, possible amendments and what the proposal could mean for taxpayers and future large-scale development deals. 

Plus, America's Talking with quick hits from around the country: 

National - Trump moves medical marijuana to Schedule III in historic shift 

California - May 1 deadline approaches for high-speed rail report as cost balloons 

North Carolina - Election 2026: Nearly $10M pumped into Buckhout-Davis race 

Georgia - Secretary of state opposes proposed election change 

Subscribe for more coverage on taxpayer issues, state government and public policy news. #TaxpayerNews #GovernmentAccountability #IllinoisPolitics #ImmigrationPolicy #publicspending 

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Greg Bishop hosts The Center Square Daily, a review of some of the top headlines concerning taxpayers across the country. 

On today’s show, federal prosecutors have unsealed an indictment charging the Southern Poverty Law Center with wire fraud, bank fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering, while questions are being raised about the alleged misuse of donor funds and what the case could mean for nonprofit oversight and taxpayer-funded law enforcement partnerships. We also cover scrutiny facing Michigan gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson over her past role on the SPLC board during part of the time period referenced in the indictment. 

We also examine debate in California over legislation that would require anti-hate speech training for public officials, where supporters say the measure addresses discrimination concerns while critics question how broadly the standards could be applied to public discourse. Plus, a U.S. Department of Education proposal aimed at holding low-performing college programs accountable as student loan debt nears $1.7 trillion. 

And Illinois lawmakers advance tax incentives for the Chicago Bears and other megaprojects, raising broader questions about subsidies, economic development and taxpayer exposure. 

Plus, America's Talking with quick hits from around the country: 

Virginia - Judge blocks referendum certification; appeal coming

Florida - DeSantis slams diversity ideology, calls out discrimination of white males 

 Wisconsin - Wisconsin candidates slam Rodriguez’ secret budget proposal 

 Pennsylvania - FIFA fans can ride SEPTA for free after World Cup matches in Philly 

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Greg Bishop hosts The Center Square Daily, a review of some of the top headlines concerning taxpayers across the country. On today’s show, Virginia voters approved a constitutional amendment that could reshape U.S. House representation and potentially affect majority control after the 2026 midterms, while legal challenges continue before the Virginia Supreme Court. We also look at a proposed Illinois constitutional amendment that would change how legislative districts are drawn, with Republican lawmakers arguing the measure could worsen concerns over already disputed district maps. Illinois continues to debate how to keep the Bears from moving to Indiana. We also examine controversy in Wisconsin over the Department of Public Instruction’s 2024 standards-setting conference, where DPI officials argue an 88-member committee meeting organized through a vendor was not subject to open meetings or records laws, while critics continue to raise transparency concerns. And, we cover the latest out of the Illinois statehouse: a millionaire’s tax proposal moving closer to the November ballot, and discussion over whether campaign funds can be used for private security costs. 

Plus, America's Talking with quick hits from around the country: 

Energy - International Energy Agency leader says energy crisis worst in history

https://www.thecentersquare.com/national/article_c10bcd11-a882-4bf6-b44a-75838f4a589d.html 

Louisiana - Teacher raise ballot returns in Louisiana after 2025 rejection         

https://www.thecentersquare.com/louisiana/article_46ea501f-a757-4449-9738-f567033ea91e.html 

Tennessee - Tennessee lawmakers approve 'honorifics' bill                              

https://www.thecentersquare.com/tennessee/article_fee94827-a9df-4398-8477-cfd95c68cebf.html 

Wisconsin - Report: Wisconsin spends between $4.5-$6B annually on criminal justice 

https://www.thecentersquare.com/wisconsin/article_087b09de-cf71-4cca-8abf-9c021e0be262.html

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In today’s episode of The Center Square Daily, we look at the growing controversy over data centers as more and more are built around the country and localities raise questions about their impacts on communities. The Center Square's Investigative Reporter, Jared Strong, joins to discuss calls for the elimination of Illinois Diversity Commission and his attempts to question the commissioners. 

And Quick hits: Washington - EXCLUSIVE: Records reveal WA millionaire’s tax is meant to legalize progressive income tax 

https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_784a7dcd-4aee-4514-97e0-ff8643ececd2.html 

Virginia - Polls open in Virginia congressional redistricting vote

 https://www.thecentersquare.com/virginia/article_ea1b4115-3449-41c9-84a9-d6cce74bf32e.html 

California - WATCH: Bill designed to curb prostitution, human trafficking 

https://www.thecentersquare.com/california/article_aa4afcb8-4d80-426e-b480-6e393cff030c.html 

Stay informed on the policies, data, and decisions impacting taxpayers across the country. 

👉 Read more: https://www.thecentersquare.com 

📩 Sign up for the newsletter for daily updates 00:00 Intro 00:50 Data center controversy 08:36 Diversity commission criticism 17:48 America's Talking

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In today’s episode of The Center Square Daily, we look at energy prices after Iran reversed course on the Strait of Hormuz claiming it has closed the waterway and firing on cargo ships in the Strait. President of First There Foundation, Eric Lionheart, joins to discuss President Trump's executive order opening doors to reschedule certain psychedelic drugs and directing $50M toward research into their use for serious mental health conditions. And America's Talking looking at firearms discussions both in state legislatures and at the national level. Stay informed on the policies, data, and decisions impacting taxpayers across the country. 

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