The States

The U.S. Treasury and IRS have released rules for the federal scholarship tax credit, and a federal judge has blocked Connecticut's Glock-style handgun ban the day before it was set to take effect. Host Greg Bishop covers these stories and November ballot measures across the states on this Oct. 2 episode of The States, powered by The Center Square.

Federal scholarship tax credit: Children's Scholarship Fund President and CEO Darla Romfo reacts to the rules for the federal tax credit for donations to scholarship granting organizations (SGOs). The credit is worth up to $1,700 for individuals and $3,400 for married couples, and it takes effect Jan. 1. Romfo discusses which states have opted in, how the program could help public school students and responds to concerns raised by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. A public hearing on the rules is set for Dec. 15.

Connecticut Glock-style ban blocked: A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking Connecticut's ban on the sale of convertible pistols, finding the law likely fails a Second Amendment challenge. The case continues. The segment also covers similar bans in California, New York and Maryland, Second Amendment lawsuits filed by the U.S. Department of Justice and California's new 3D printer requirements.

California Prop 40 and Prop 42: The Center Square's Madeline Shannon explains Proposition 40, a one-time 5% billionaire tax projected to raise $100 billion, and Proposition 42, which could cancel it if it passes with more votes.

2026 ballot measures: Measures are on the ballot in Nevada, California and North Carolina for Voter ID. In Colorado Amendment 87 would create a graduated income tax; Proposition 136 would cap the income tax rate. In Florida, Amendment 3 would raise the homestead exemption. In Illinois, dozens of local tax referendums, plus county votes on separating the state.

America's Talking:

Jobs: The U.S. economy added 29,000 jobs in September, and unemployment held at 4.2%.
Federal grants: California Attorney General Rob Bonta and 22 other attorneys general oppose a proposed federal grant rule.
Louisiana: Treasurer John Fleming referred $12.1 million in school expenditures for further review.
Chicago Bears: Gov. Pritzker met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell about keeping the team in Illinois.

What's on your ballot this November? Has your state opted in to the scholarship tax credit? Tell us in the comments, and subscribe for daily state and local news. Get these headlines free in your inbox with The Center Square newsletter at thecentersquare.com.

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Louisiana Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Jamie Davis joins The States to lay out his platform against U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow. Plus, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson calls data center opposition a "Chinese psyop" as the Senate blocks the Ratepayer Protection Act. Host Greg Bishop covers state and local policy news impacting taxpayers on this Oct. 1 episode, powered by The Center Square.

Louisiana Senate race: Jamie Davis is a northeast Louisiana farmer who advanced to the November general election after Sen. Bill Cassidy was eliminated in the May primary. He discusses the farm bill, $6 diesel, SNAP and food aid, homeowners insurance costs and his proposal for a national insurance pool. He also covers his criticism of corporate tax breaks in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a data center moratorium and his support for the filibuster.

Data centers: The Pennsylvania House Energy Committee advanced a bill requiring data center developers to apply and pay for electric service before seeking zoning approval. Virginia residents questioned Dominion Energy's proposed transmission expansion. A Marquette poll found 74% of Wisconsin respondents say data center costs outweigh benefits. In Louisiana, data center sales tax revenue has driven major payouts to Richland Parish school employees.

Chicago parking meters: The Center Square's Jim Talamonti explains the Chicago City Council's 46-3 vote approving the sale of the city's parking meter system to StonePeak, and why critics say the city is repeating mistakes from the 2008 deal. Talamonti also covers Gov. J.B. Pritzker's disclosure of GLP-1 use and his push for Medicaid coverage, and Illinois Medicaid's spending on weight loss drugs.

Paid parental leave: Pittsburgh City Council backs an Allegheny County proposal requiring employers to offer paid parental leave. The segment covers how states including Maryland and Virginia are approaching paid leave, and the concerns raised by small business groups.

America's Talking:

• CA: https://www.thecentersquare.com/california/article_84d844ef-ca4e-4840-b502-7a6da6441348.html
• OH: https://www.thecentersquare.com/ohio/article_1bce072f-5440-433a-9659-5d723ba24b2c.html
• CO: https://www.thecentersquare.com/colorado/article_fd7aee11-5e81-4360-9255-593d36923025.html
• PA: https://www.thecentersquare.com/pennsylvania/article_cb64259c-cf46-4d6a-800d-f04024929f7d.html

Should data centers pay for their own power? Should paid parental leave be mandated, left to states or left to employers? Tell us in the comments, and subscribe for daily state and local news. Get these headlines free in your inbox with The Center Square newsletter at thecentersquare.com.

#DataCenters #LouisianaSenate #ChicagoParkingMeters #PaidParentalLeave #TheCenterSquare

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America.gov's AI launch tied to SNAP fraud warnings, a pivotal Supreme Court preview on assault weapons bans, Pennsylvania's data center NDA crackdown, Walmart's personalized pricing pledge, and commercial real estate's looming refinancing crunch on this episode of The States.

America.gov launches amid fraud warnings: President Trump unveiled america.gov, an AI-driven portal consolidating tens of thousands of federal databases and services (passport renewals, national park reservations, with document uploads coming in 2027). Trump also signed an executive order renaming "artificial intelligence" to "superintelligence" and secured a safety accord from tech leaders at Meta, xAI, OpenAI, and Anthropic. Separately, LexisNexis Risk Solutions' Heywood Talcove warned AI could supercharge government benefits fraud within six months, citing SNAP fraud now costing $4.30 for every $1 lost — the highest rate on record. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins countered that AI will ultimately help curb SNAP fraud.
Supreme Court preview — assault weapons ban case: Everytown Law's Janet Carter previews the Dec. 2 oral arguments in cases challenging Cook County, Illinois, and Connecticut's assault weapons bans. She's "cautiously optimistic" the bans will survive, noting 6 of 7 federal appeals courts have upheld similar prohibitions post-Bruin, and that Republican Senate support for challengers dropped sharply compared to Bruin (5 senators vs. 25). A ruling against the bans could jeopardize similar laws nationwide; a ruling upholding them could prompt more states to act. Decision expected by summer 2027.
Pennsylvania legislature: A Senate committee advanced a bill barring state/local governments from signing NDAs with data center developers, following reporting that nearly half of PA municipalities hosting such projects had signed one. The House passed a bill (115-88) opening primaries to unaffiliated voters, sponsored by Rep. Jared Solomon; opponents warn of higher election costs and weakened party influence. Other committee action covered menopause workplace accommodations (drawing sharp floor debate), kratom/synthetic drug regulation, and cosmetology licensure. Legislators return Oct. 5 for six more session days before lame duck.
Personalized/AI pricing scrutiny: Following a Consumer Reports investigation showing shoppers paying different prices for identical groceries, Walmart pledged not to use personal shopper data to set individual prices — though it didn't clarify whether that extends to a related patent for cart-based pricing suggestions. Kroger has also updated its data policies. The FTC is weighing a disclosure requirement (not an outright ban) while some states are moving toward flat prohibitions, raising concerns about a state-by-state patchwork for national retailers.
Everyday Economics (Chris Krug & Orphe Divounguy): A look at how elevated long-term interest rates are hitting commercial real estate as loans come due — lower building valuations plus higher debt payments are squeezing owners, while cities relying on property tax revenue from now-devalued office buildings (including Chicago towers reportedly down 60-70% in value) face budget strain with no clear winners. Divounguy also explains why broader economic damage from high rates has been delayed: accumulated household savings, record home equity, and companies "hoarding labor" (cutting hours before jobs) using AI-driven productivity gains instead of layoffs.
America's Talking headlines:

• AZ: https://www.thecentersquare.com/arizona/article_7fb0575a-3479-45b6-938b-3aa5f0e3f11e.html
• NY: https://www.thecentersquare.com/new_york/article_cbbd88f8-fde2-46a7-b75e-805a155fc8c8.html
• OH: https://www.thecentersquare.com/ohio/article_6fddbcd7-6fcf-4e7e-955b-4d8f174c475d.html

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#TheStates #CenterSquare #AI #SupremeCourt #Pennsylvania #CommercialRealEstate

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Trump's new government AI search engine, a Supreme Court win for voter roll verification, Pennsylvania's AI chatbot and license plate bills, a Detroit pastor's $540K nonprofit salary, and a push for open primaries nationwide on this episode of The States.

America.gov AI search engine: The Trump administration launched america.gov, an AI chatbot pulling answers only from official government sources across 29,000 databases. 
SAVE database ruling: A 6-3 Supreme Court ruling allows DHS to share its SAVE database (Social Security-linked citizenship data) with state and local election officials to help verify voter rolls — a voluntary tool, not a mandate. Landmark Legal Foundation's Michael O'Neill calls it a win for election integrity, distinct from the stalled Save America Act, which would have made such verification mandatory. He also previews next week's Supreme Court term, including the high-profile Suncor Energy case on whether power plants can be held liable across state lines for climate-related damages (Justice Alito has recused himself).
Pennsylvania legislature (11-day session): The House passed a bill banning license plate obscuring, prompting privacy vs. enforcement debate tied to license plate reader technology. A Women's Sports bill has stalled in committee for the 10th+ time since 2025 despite Republican pushback. A bill regulating AI companion chatbots for minors (ages 13-17) passed the House and heads to the Senate, requiring safety protocols and enforcement penalties up to $100,000/day per violation — though one Republican voted no, citing unclear scope and data-collection concerns. Skill games regulation remains unresolved with days left in session. Gov. Shapiro also announced $22.7 million in state funds (part of a $64 million package) for downtown Harrisburg redevelopment.
Detroit pastor's taxpayer-funded salary: Investigative reporter Jared Strong details how megachurch pastor Marvin Winans — who publicly admonished a parishioner over a donation shortfall last year — collected a $540,000 salary (61% of program spending) from a taxpayer- and state-grant-funded nonprofit, Perfecting Community Development Corporation, for what IRS filings list as a half-time position. The nonprofit received a $500,000 Michigan state grant in 2024; the state says it has no evidence of misuse. Winans and the governor's office did not respond to requests for comment.
Push for open/all-party primaries: The Leadership Now Project's Catalyst Fund, backed by business leaders including Melinda French Gates, is funding centrist candidates and ballot measures — including a Massachusetts all-party primary referendum — aimed at reducing political extremism. Research cited shows mixed results: potential policy benefits (e.g., Louisiana's bipartisan Medicaid expansion) but also lower general-election turnout when a voter's preferred party isn't on the ballot.
America's Talking headlines:
TX:  https://www.thecentersquare.com/texas/article_a49f247b-bd75-4b6e-b4b1-b52534dd9e18.html
GA: https://www.thecentersquare.com/georgia/article_ce0ec938-8a47-4549-a0a2-2a628edd4c29.html
IL: https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_3c9f35a8-c601-4821-9072-c67a846d4fbc.html
MI: https://www.thecentersquare.com/michigan/article_960e77be-41ef-42c2-831a-5c0cffe5abd0.html

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#TheStates #CenterSquare #SupremeCourt #Pennsylvania #ElectionIntegrity #AI

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Government audit reveals up to $304B in annual tax fraud, diesel export ban debate, school cell phone bans under scrutiny, and Pennsylvania's legislature returns for its final 11 days on this episode of The States.

Tax fraud audit: A GAO report estimates the federal government loses $116-$304 billion annually to tax fraud — 17-43% of the total tax gap — with no agency-wide IRS strategy to address it. GAO recommends the IRS designate an anti-fraud oversight entity; the agency hasn't said whether it will. One cited case: a man used duplicate Social Security numbers to fraudulently claim a $3.3M refund, later spending it on a Lamborghini, a yacht down payment, and plastic surgery before receiving nearly 15 years in prison.
Diesel export ban debate: With diesel prices near record highs ($6.45/gallon nationally), Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry has called for a 90-day export ban to lower domestic prices. Heritage Foundation's Sarah Wagoner argues a ban would offer only slight, short-term relief before prices rebound — since the U.S. imports crude to refine and re-export a third of it, and cutting off exports would push other nations toward Russia or China instead. She recommends permitting reform, repealing the Jones Act, and expanding domestic production instead of a ban.
School cell phone bans: Nearly 40 states have proposed restrictions in 2026, with ~20 states plus D.C. implementing bell-to-bell bans, as declining test scores and attention concerns drive policy. Some schools (like Fresno's Hoover High) report academic gains after restrictions, but experts including Pacific Research Institute's Lance Izumi caution bans aren't a "silver bullet" for deeper, longer-term academic decline.
Pennsylvania legislature returns: Lawmakers face 11 days to act before a lame-duck period, with major items including: skill games regulation (70,000+ machines statewide facing uncertainty), data center policy (Gov. Shapiro reversing his earlier pro-development stance toward stricter guidelines), and a House vote on open primaries that would let 1M+ unaffiliated voters participate. Separately, a state Department of Health rule expanding vaccination-tracking and infectious disease authority was quietly withdrawn after 10,000+ public comments, most critical. A House hearing also examined Flock Safety's license plate reading technology, with the company's rep confirming no facial recognition is used.
Everyday Economics (Chris Krug & Orphe Divounguy): Divounguy breaks down the Fed's unanimous 25-basis-point rate hike and dot-plot signaling another hike with no 2027 cuts — a move he questions given weak consumer pricing power. He argues current inflation is primarily an energy-driven story, not a wage-price spiral risk, as consumers increasingly trade down to cheaper retailers and smaller homes.
America's Talking:

• CA: https://www.thecentersquare.com/california/article_c968344a-dd15-4554-bee7-0161275781ae.html
• NJ: https://www.thecentersquare.com/new_jersey/article_51e334ce-017d-4307-a7ea-dca5f490b5c9.html
• Alaska: https://www.thecentersquare.com/alaska/article_986a2a0a-1d13-4ed3-b780-a64557c76124.html
• Illinois: https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_345ab58b-8494-43c2-a912-5939b3ce71c2.html

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#TheStates #CenterSquare #TaxFraud #DieselPrices #Pennsylvania 

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On this edition of the Center Square Radio Hour, a Massachusetts federal judge blocked the Trump administration from cutting around $600 million in teacher-training funds. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has prompted donors to spend $38 million on her favorite charities and third-party organizations, in some cases from donor companies who had hundreds of millions of dollars worth of business before the city. The Georgia Department of Family and Children Services spent $7.3 million on software to support service authorizations, and an audit shows the software was a factor in a $71.1 million increase in costs. Democratic hopes of taking control of the U.S. Senate in the upcoming midterm elections are heavily dependent on retaining an open seat in Michigan. And Mortgage rates are around 7.2% — and the housing market is increasingly splitting into two. 

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Inflation's hidden tax effect, New York's #1 ranking for taxes and spending, an interview with Illinois Senate candidate Juliana Stratton, and Maricopa County's fight to end federal oversight on this episode of The States.

Inflation & tax revenue: Orphe Divounguy explains why rising prices don't automatically mean a windfall for state governments — sales tax revenue rises with prices, but government purchasing power stays flat since governments face the same inflation. Lower-income and fixed-income households are hit hardest; retirees with cash savings lose purchasing power while those with home equity or stock investments fare better. New home sales rose 6.4% in August, but Divounguy cautions it's not a recovery — sales remain below last year's levels, driven mainly by resilient buyers shifting to cheaper homes as builders build less.
- New York tops nation in taxes and spending: A Citizens Budget Commission report found New York state and local governments collected $12,357 per capita in FY2024 — the highest in the nation, 22% above California — and are the second-highest spenders per capita ($17,400). The report says New York would have saved $99 billion spending like New Jersey, or $143 billion spending like Texas, and calls the findings a "wake-up call" as Gov. Hochul faces reelection against Republican Bruce Blakeman, who's made cost of living central to his campaign.
- Illinois U.S. Senate race — Juliana Stratton interview: Democratic candidate and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton discusses affordability as the top voter concern, defends the Democratic record under Gov. Pritzker, and says she supports ending the Senate filibuster if Democrats retake the majority to pass voting rights and reproductive freedom legislation. She distances herself from some Hasan Piker/DSA positions while declining to fully denounce him, and criticizes immigration enforcement actions in Chicago under "Operation Midway Blitz."
- Maricopa County sheriff's office oversight fight: County supervisors are weighing an appeal after a federal judge rejected their request to end 12+ years of federal oversight of the sheriff's office (stemming from a 2013 racial profiling case involving former Sheriff Joe Arpaio). Supervisors say the oversight has cost taxpayers over $350 million since 2013 ($20-30M/year); Rep. Andy Biggs, running for governor, wants the presiding judge recused and backs federal legislation limiting court-monitor terms.
- America's Talking:
GA: https://www.thecentersquare.com/georgia/article_9800ef8b-d397-4a6c-ba5f-708a2f93a939.html
MI: https://www.thecentersquare.com/michigan/article_7c9e2892-e76f-42ba-80b3-4594151a3125.html
CA: https://www.thecentersquare.com/california/article_be5ae69b-10a8-4436-8aae-01e0fde9ad67.html
PA: https://www.thecentersquare.com/pennsylvania/article_2ecbd037-f095-4db9-92ea-e0fd8950e038.html

Get these and more stories at TheCenterSquare.com.

#TheStates #CenterSquare #Inflation #NewYorkTaxes #IllinoisSenate #Arizona

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Trump-Xi state visit, a First Amendment fight over union dues at a "private" library, viral AI surveillance camera hearings, DEI funding rulings, and Glock-pattern gun ban litigation on this episode of The States.

Trump-Xi state visit: Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived for a multi-day state visit, with trade (a $202B U.S.-China deficit), AI competition, and allegations of Chinese election interference (claims of 220 million stolen U.S. voter files) expected to dominate discussions. Protests accompanied the visit.
- Brooklyn Public Library union dues case: Liberty Justice Center attorney Jeffrey Schwab discusses a new lawsuit arguing the Brooklyn Public Library — technically a nonprofit but government-funded and government-controlled — should be bound by the 2018 Janus v. AFSCME ruling barring forced union dues for public employees. A library employee who resigned from the union says he's lost roughly $1,000 in the past year. Schwab expects the case to reach the Second Circuit and says the key question is whether the library counts as sufficiently "government controlled" for First Amendment protections to apply.
- AI surveillance camera hearing: Senate Judiciary Subcommittee testimony detailed how a Flock Safety license-plate camera wrongly linked Florida resident Lindsay Isaacs to a fatal crash, leading to 13 days in jail before charges were dropped. Flock operates ~120,000 cameras nationwide capturing over 20 billion images monthly; no camera-company CEOs attended despite being invited. ACLU's Chad Marlow and a former Arizona sheriff who canceled his Flock contract both raised warrantless surveillance and misuse concerns.
- DEI funding fights: A Massachusetts federal judge blocked the Trump administration from cutting ~$600 million in teacher training grants tied to DEI, ruling the directive "arbitrary and capricious" for lacking clear criteria. Separately, DOJ has given UC San Francisco's medical school until Oct. 2 to address Title VI findings alleging race-based admissions discrimination against white and Asian applicants; the school denies wrongdoing.
- Glock-pattern pistol bans: Connecticut's ban on machine-gun-convertible pistols takes effect Oct. 1 unless blocked — Glock and the National Shooting Sports Foundation have sued, with a hearing set for Sept. 29. Similar bans in California, New York, and Maryland face ongoing litigation; unlike those states, Connecticut's law lacks a clear law enforcement exemption. Illinois lawmakers are separately pushing a manufacturer licensing bill that would tie fees to firearm injury costs, opposed by industry groups.
- America's Talking:
MI: https://www.thecentersquare.com/michigan/article_ecb89e25-3b2e-4fb7-b7b8-3b22785c951a.html
IL: https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_d9b2e395-a057-493e-949e-7f1196417829.html
CO: https://www.thecentersquare.com/colorado/article_bb7ad606-909c-4d79-bec0-9381229878f6.html
WA: https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_15cc150d-6214-4b13-b0e0-08717c5c51b2.html

Get these and more stories at TheCenterSquare.com.

#TheStates #CenterSquare #TrumpXi #UnionDues #AISurveillance #GunRights

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Corpus Christi LNG expansion, Michigan utility rate hikes, a $1.4B Allegheny County pension crisis, LA's behest payment investigation, and the two-speed housing market on this episode of The States.

- LNG export expansion & Michigan energy rates: FERC released a draft environmental impact statement for a Corpus Christi LNG terminal expansion that could add 24 million tons/year in export capacity, with a final investment decision expected in late 2027. Meanwhile, Michigan utility DTE Energy is raising natural gas rates $74.5M starting Oct. 1, with a much larger $474M electric rate increase still pending. Energy analyst Sarah Montalbano discusses how data center growth, intermittent energy sources, and coal plant retirements are driving costs onto ratepayers, and argues nuclear power offers the best path to reliability and emissions reduction.
- Allegheny County pension crisis & data center ban: A judge ruled the county's pension fund has a $1.4 billion shortfall and gave officials until September 2027 to find a fix — likely requiring state legislative involvement. The County Council voted to intervene in the lawsuit and separately passed a measure banning large-scale (25MW+) data centers on county-owned property, while carving out county-run servers like 911 systems.
- LA Mayor Karen Bass "behest payment" investigation: The Center Square investigative reporter Adam Herberts details how Bass has persuaded donors — including AT&T, Charter Communications, Amazon, and Pepsi — to give $38 million to nonprofits tied to her office since 2022, often while those same donors have pending city contracts. The report also flags at least 23 anonymous donations and a disclosure loophole that restricts lobbyists from giving but not their corporate clients.
- Everyday Economics (Chris Krug & Orphe Divounguy): A breakdown of the "two-speed" housing and economic split — 7.2% mortgage rates pricing out most buyers while the luxury market (up 5.3% year-over-year) and AI-wealth-driven markets like San Francisco (up ~13%) continue to boom. Divounguy also explains how state revenue mixes (income tax vs. sales tax) affect budget stability as growth slows, and recommends taxpayers contest property tax assessments.
America's Talking: 
CA: https://www.thecentersquare.com/california/article_779cb450-3556-4717-bd10-88d99f28fb4d.html
IL: https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_3e0ec8f4-0a38-4950-8902-c5f3438b214f.html 
LA: https://www.thecentersquare.com/louisiana/article_8cffd366-8c04-48af-a349-68a9b693763a.html
TX: https://www.thecentersquare.com/texas/article_d23de0a7-5bf9-4ebb-bc62-14d75b177cf9.html

Get these and more stories at TheCenterSquare.com.

#TheStates #CenterSquare #EnergyPolicy #LNG #AlleghenyCounty #KarenBass

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Trump slashes UN funding, a deep dive on Congress's broken budget process, nationwide data center battles, Georgia's $71M software overspend, and state Medicaid rankings on this episode of The States.

- Trump cuts UN funding, addresses AI and Iran: President Trump announced a $1 billion cut to U.S. funding for the United Nations over six months, including 15% budget cuts and roughly 4,000 eliminated positions. He also rejected international AI regulation and said he'll decide soon whether to pursue a deal with Iran or escalate military action, with the current conflict costing $2-3 billion in taxpayer dollars monthly.
- Congress's budget process: Convention of States co-founder Mark Meckler discusses how Congress has passed all 12 appropriations bills on time only four times since 1996, relying instead on continuing resolutions with little transparency or debate. Meckler argues state budgeting, while imperfect, is far more transparent than federal, and outlines his group's push for a balanced budget amendment and spending caps via an Article V convention (20 of the needed 34 states have signed on).
- Data center battles nationwide:
New York Gov. Hochul pressing AI companies to reduce data centers' land, water, and energy footprint. Virginia Gov. Spanberger signed an executive order shifting infrastructure costs to industry as reported tax benefits to data center operators hit $1.9 billion. Nevada Gov. Lombardo ties data center tax breaks to school funding ahead of a competitive governor's race against AG Aaron Ford. Texas Gov. Abbott issued a fourth directive in four months, halting all new data center permits pending audits. Chicago Mayor Johnson pushing an environmental-justice review process and a possible moratorium on new data centers. The Ohio State Supreme Court blocked a Wilmington ballot initiative to regulate data centers locally.
- Georgia DFCS software overspend: An audit shows a $7.3M software system (Argo) used by Georgia's Department of Family and Children's Services was a factor in service authorization costs rising from $63.3M to $134.4M — a 112% increase — over three fiscal years. Lawmakers say the procurement process and vendor remain unclear; DFCS has since stopped using the software.
State Medicaid rankings (Heartland Institute): Kansas ranks best overall , followed by Texas, Wyoming, Nebraska, and South Dakota. California ranks worst, with New York, Rhode Island, North Carolina, and New Mexico rounding out the bottom five.
- America's Talking headlines:
Missouri: Federal appeals court orders use of the 2025 congressional map favoring Republicans for the November election.
Pennsylvania: Candidates across party lines weigh in on flock camera/license plate reader use.
Minnesota: Free school meals program has cost $876M — 46% over its original $600M forecast.
Seattle: Mayor announces $1.7M plan to support independent grocery stores rather than a city-run supermarket.

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#TheStates #CenterSquare #DataCenters #Medicaid #FederalBudget #GreatBishop

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