The States

The States

How the Government Spends Your Tax Dollars to Manipulate Votes | The Center Square Daily

23 min · 2 de jun de 2026
Portada del episodio How the Government Spends Your Tax Dollars to Manipulate Votes | The Center Square Daily

Descripción

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 rising energy costs. With nearly 400 bills passed, attention now turns to gubernatorial action and the fall veto session.  As California voters consider more than 100 local ballot initiatives, questions are being raised about whether taxpayer-funded communications are being used to influence election outcomes. The Center Square investigative reporting examines enforcement actions by the California Fair Political Practices Commission, previous fines levied against local governments, and concerns from taxpayer watchdog groups about public resources being used to promote tax increases and ballot measures.  Square Up the Vote: California voters participate in the state's top-two primary system while considering dozens of local tax and funding measures. Iowa voters cast ballots in key congressional and U.S. Senate primary races ahead of the 2026 midterms. Primary elections are also underway in Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, and South Dakota. Nevada prepares for next week's primary elections, with debates focused on health care, public land sales, AI data centers, and federal spending. Local ballot questions and tax referendums remain a major issue for voters nationwide.  The Center Square Daily delivers taxpayer-focused coverage of government spending, elections, public policy, and the decisions affecting taxpayers across America. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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185 episodios

Portada del episodio California Stops Funding Police Transparency Database | Weekend Edition

California Stops Funding Police Transparency Database | Weekend Edition

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 years. And some cities are seeing starter homes costing a million dollars. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

27 de jun de 202648 min
Portada del episodio Non-Citizen Students Across U.S. Get Financial Aid For College | Weekend Edition

Non-Citizen Students Across U.S. Get Financial Aid For College | Weekend Edition

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 persistent gap in mortgage denial rates between black and white applicants across all 50 of the largest U.S. metro areas.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

20 de jun de 202648 min
Portada del episodio Gun Attorney: What the SCOTUS Marijuana-Gun Ruling Does — and Doesn't — Mean | The States

Gun Attorney: What the SCOTUS Marijuana-Gun Ruling Does — and Doesn't — Mean | The States

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 new Center Square Voter Voices poll finds 60% of registered voters say the country is heading in the wrong direction, up from 53% in March  - Gas prices now at $4.13/gallon, up from $2.94 before Operation Epic Fury began in February  - States tackling energy policy: Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and others discuss energy sustainability and reliability  - SNAP fraud is costing taxpayers billions — what states are doing to crack down  - May unemployment rates across Georgia, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New York, Arizona, Illinois, Michigan, and Nevada  - California's Billionaire Tax Act qualifies for the November ballot  - Philadelphia's "ICE Out" ordinance faces a federal lawsuit from the DOJ  - The Trump administration transfers civil rights and special education programs out of the Department of Education  📰 Read more at TheCenterSquare.com  Subscribe for taxpayer-focused, non-partisan reporting on the stories shaping America. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

19 de jun de 202645 min
Portada del episodio Today's Supreme Court Decision Allows Drug Users to Keep Guns & MORE | The States

Today's Supreme Court Decision Allows Drug Users to Keep Guns & MORE | The States

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 benefit policies. Arizona moves to require advance notice before tax law interpretations hit residents' wallets.   Plus America's Talking  ARIZONIA - https://www.thecentersquare.com/arizona/article_d9099383-fd02-4b32-973d-d5a657b70aa8.html  MICHIGAN - https://www.thecentersquare.com/michigan/article_c9a44558-dbf4-4c2c-af3f-94a013089214.html  CALIFORNIA - https://www.thecentersquare.com/california/article_d3cbac25-74f9-4a4a-8994-d6baefa75d30.html  GEORGIA - https://www.thecentersquare.com/georgia/article_9c4e9dbd-1a50-490c-9b99-b2dcafa82741.html Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

18 de jun de 202645 min
Portada del episodio States Call on Congress to Recognize These Forgotten Veterans | The States

States Call on Congress to Recognize These Forgotten Veterans | The States

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 during the Central American conflicts may face barriers to benefits because those operations were never formally recognized as wartime service by Congress.  Plus, a look at major human smuggling and labor trafficking cases uncovered across multiple states, ongoing debates over state and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, and new proposals affecting immigration detention oversight.  Education reporter Esther Wickham breaks down the growing debate over taxpayer-funded college aid and in-state tuition benefits for certain non-citizen students, including the legal battle unfolding in Texas and the broader impact on higher education funding.  And Ph.D. Economist Orphe Divounguy breaks down why black Americans in the 50 top metros struggle to get mortgages.  Plus America's Talking  CALIFORNIA - https://www.thecentersquare.com/california/article_de8726f9-4a80-4651-af24-c04a70ea2692.html  OHIO - https://www.thecentersquare.com/ohio/article_3aa97e86-6c20-4baf-9576-41304e741355.html  ILLINOIS - https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_c14f00b7-9ae2-415f-ba80-9361c62b4792.html Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

17 de jun de 202648 min