California’s $1.1B Capitol Project: 2,000 NDAs and Growing Questions | The Center Square Daily

Illinois Gov. Suspends Incentives for Data Centers | Weekend Edition

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 to the slow down in the jobs market and AI is only one of them.    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.

Second Amendment Clash: Court Strips Gun Rights After Repeat DUIs | The Center Square Daily

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 Court ruling that allows repeat DUI offenders to lose their Second Amendment rights. The segment also explores ongoing debates over gun regulations in New York, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Colorado as lawmakers, courts, and advocacy groups continue to battle over firearm access, public safety, and constitutional protections.  The Center Square investigative reporter Mark Stricherz joins the show to discuss a taxpayer-funded nonprofit that received millions in federal grants while expanding its work beyond financial regulation into broader social and political issues, raising questions about accountability and oversight.  The program also covers growing concerns about Social Security's projected insolvency, congressional reactions to the latest trustees report, and what benefit cuts could mean for future retirees.  Plus, a look at the most affordable states for summer road trips as families weigh travel plans amid elevated costs and inflation. Subscribe for daily reporting on the policies, taxes, and political debates impacting 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.

How Much Does Your State Make on Beer Taxes? | The Center Square Daily

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 in the Senate. Also in today's episode, Pennsylvania lawmakers debate a first-of-its-kind digital advertising tax that could generate hundreds of millions of dollars for property tax relief, while critics warn the costs could ultimately be passed on to consumers and small businesses. The Center Square Regional Editor Christen Smith breaks down the proposal and its uncertain future in the state Senate. Plus, members of Congress examine troubling education outcomes across the country, including low reading and math proficiency rates in Chicago Public Schools. Lawmakers also spar over gender ideology in schools and whether those debates are distracting from efforts to improve academic performance. In America's Talking, Greg highlights state-level debates over property taxes, veteran tax exemptions, conservation funding, and local government spending before taking a look at where Americans pay the highest and lowest taxes on beer. Subscribe for daily reporting on the policies, taxes, and political debates impacting 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.

Data Centers vs. Taxpayers? The National Fight Over AI Infrastructure | The Center Square Daily

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 their pockets. We examine how the tax holiday has impacted state revenues, what it means for taxpayers, and how gas tax rates compare across the country.  The battle over AI data centers is heating up nationwide as states and local governments wrestle with questions about energy use, water consumption, tax incentives, infrastructure costs, and economic development. From Tennessee and Wisconsin to Virginia, Louisiana, North Carolina, and Illinois, officials are taking dramatically different approaches as communities weigh the promises and potential costs of massive new projects. Illinois lawmakers and Governor J.B. Pritzker remain divided over data center tax incentives and future development policies, while local communities debate whether the projects create enough long-term jobs to justify public support.  Also in this episode:  • Pennsylvania lawmakers advance election administration changes involving mail-in ballots.  • Georgia voters continue casting ballots ahead of key primary runoff elections.  • North Carolina's sports betting revenues continue to grow.  • Wisconsin business owners report concerns about rising property taxes and the state's economic direction.  • A new study examines where fast food takes the biggest bite out of household budgets and what that says about affordability across America.  America's Talking:  Pennsylvania - https://www.thecentersquare.com/pennsylvania/article_7bac4c90-a6ab-4a26-a44b-30e39a4020ff.html  Georgia - https://www.thecentersquare.com/georgia/article_decb265e-e1ad-43e8-b028-086a947d5186.html  North Carolina - https://www.thecentersquare.com/north_carolina/article_3ace709a-3483-42a0-a3d4-949d5d85d8b0.html  Wisconsin - https://www.thecentersquare.com/wisconsin/article_a0e0d680-503b-4ce8-88dc-6e70512b2a16.html  Join Greg Bishop for stories impacting taxpayers, businesses, and communities across the country.    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.

Cash Assistance Program Scrutiny, DOJ Investigates 2nd Amendment Violation | The Center Square Daily

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, striking down Biden-era energy efficiency regulations affecting furnaces and water heaters. Meanwhile, several closely watched cases remain pending, including challenges involving birthright citizenship, asylum claims, mail-in voting deadlines, Second Amendment rights, and transgender athletes competing in women's sports.  Michigan lawmakers continue to debate the future of the Rx Kids program, a taxpayer-funded initiative that has distributed more than $300 million in cash assistance to families since launching in Flint in 2024. The Center Square reporter Elyse Apel joins the program to discuss Republican concerns about oversight and accountability, as supporters point to reported improvements in maternal and infant health outcomes.  The Department of Justice has launched an investigation into the Philadelphia Police Department's handling of concealed carry permits, examining whether city officials are improperly restricting Second Amendment rights through discretionary permit revocations.  America's Talking:  Wisconsin - https://www.thecentersquare.com/wisconsin/article_98b9d112-378f-4cc6-b556-41566a0c07c0.html  Louisiana - https://www.thecentersquare.com/louisiana/article_70ade02c-7511-40cd-9e91-3e77221f9856.html  Michigan - https://www.thecentersquare.com/michigan/article_98ed8bfd-fbb0-440c-a968-c8a2377f62a9.html  North Carolina - https://www.thecentersquare.com/north_carolina/article_9c6b2ae3-720d-4b50-a4e1-bad3a701e383.html Subscribe for daily coverage of the stories impacting taxpayers, voters, and policymakers 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.