The States

The Center Square
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The States Powered by The Center Square is a show that highlights the work of The Center Square reporters from statehouses across the country to Washington D.C. all with an eye towards the impacts of today's news on the taxpayer.

  1. 12h ago

    Pennsylvania House Races Could Decide Control of Congress, One PAC Spends $850K | The States

    Pennsylvania congressional races and their campaign funding,  Federal Reserve rate hike, and an alleged cover up in Colorado. Guest host Dan McCaleb talks with The Center Square's Christen Smith about key congressional races in Pennsylvania where candidates including Brian Fitzpatrick and Rob Bresnahan are fight for their party's control of the U.S. House. Campaign finances have become a focus as democrats out raise their republican opponents and PACs invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in these races. The Center Square Publisher Chris Krug and Ph.D. Economist Orphe Divounguy discuss the heating up of inflation in the past month and whether it means the Federal reserve should hike rates at the end of October. Plus, America's Talking:Colorado: https://www.thecentersquare.com/colorado/article_54f2adf4-bf75-48d3-af56-b6f0f380b220.htmlNational: https://www.thecentersquare.com/national/article_e47364fc-de6a-40f7-af6b-9fc280fe01af.htmlLouisiana: https://www.thecentersquare.com/louisiana/article_ce922386-23de-49b4-8c08-49184eedda2f.htmlCalifornia: https://www.thecentersquare.com/california/article_766cd4c9-befa-4d47-8341-3b1b49ba5e15.html Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  2. 1d ago

    FEMA Blames “Reckless Democrats” for COVID Reimbursement Delays | The States

    FEMA says it is 95% finished closing its COVID-19 public assistance program years after the pandemic ended, and it blames government shutdowns and fraud reviews for the delays. A bipartisan bill in Congress, the American Affordability and Jobs Act, would make data centers pay for the grid upgrades needed to connect them. Adam Herbets hosts today’s episode of The States, filling in for Greg Bishop. A Center Square investigation into Los Angeles Opera’s FEMA grants prompted a statement from FEMA on its COVID-19 reimbursements. FEMA attributes the delays to “reckless Democrats in Congress” for three funding lapses totaling more than 120 days. Democrats including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries blamed Republicans, and in April Sen. John Fetterman called the delays inexcusable once reviews are complete. FEMA has not answered follow-up questions. Congressional reporter Therese Boudreaux explains how the American Affordability and Jobs Act compares with the Ratepayer Protection Act, which failed in the Senate. The new bill would require data centers drawing more than 20 megawatts to pay associated grid upgrade costs. Critics say its limits on environmental reviews and litigation could make it harder for communities to oppose data center projects. The Senate is expected to take it up after the midterm elections. On Everyday Economics, publisher Chris Krug and economist Dr. Orphe Divounguy examine the luxury housing market. With mortgage rates around 7.4%, most buyers are priced out, but the luxury segment remains competitive in Chicago, Kansas City, St. Louis and Jacksonville. In Seattle, the luxury buyer pool is down 14% amid an H-1B fee, tech layoffs and Washington’s new 9.9% income tax on high earners, which Initiative 645 would repeal. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  3. 2d ago

    Pollster Mike Noble: 80% Chance Democrats Win House, Senate a Coin Toss | The States

    Tax filings for a nonprofit tied to Detroit megachurch pastor Marvin Winans have been amended after The Center Square reported they listed him as receiving a salary over $500,000. The Center Square’s Voter Voice poll shows cost of living, inflation and corruption topping voters’ concerns ahead of the 2026 midterms. Investigative reporter Jared Strong hosts today’s episode of The States, filling in for Greg Bishop. The Tennessee firm Chitwood and Chitwood prepared the filings for Perfecting Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit tied to Perfecting Church that recently received a $500,000 Michigan state grant. The firm now says the salary listing was its mistake and that the money went to employees. The Center Square found further discrepancies in the amended filings, which the firm declined to discuss. Winans and church officials did not respond to interview requests. A full audit is underway and new filings are expected. The IRS declined to comment, citing privacy laws. Mike Noble of Noble Predictive Insights breaks down the latest Voter Voice poll results. Democrats now lead the poll’s generic ballot by 5 points, up from 1 in March. Noble estimates Democrats have about an 80% chance of winning the House and calls Senate control a coin toss. In early 2028 polling, JD Vance leads the Republican field at 44% and Kamala Harris leads Democrats at 29%. In America’s Talking: Pennsylvania: https://www.thecentersquare.com/pennsylvania/article_d7a18e35-1ace-4f0c-a235-808d437929b7.htmlLouisiana: https://www.thecentersquare.com/louisiana/article_82ed9fe7-e99a-4450-a10a-42bdc8ce8da4.htmlWisconsin: https://www.thecentersquare.com/wisconsin/article_7e45a879-346b-46ec-b28b-6aa14a57e101.htmlNational: https://www.thecentersquare.com/national/article_ebafc04f-1b24-420a-b7ad-b43df4d920d1.html Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  4. 3d ago

    Should Michigan Abolish MEDC? Whitmer’s $200K Asia Trip Revives Debate | The States

    Superintendent candidates face off in California and Arizona, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer spends $200,000 on an 8 day trip to Asia, election integrity questions swirl in Arizona's Maricopa county, and more. On today's episode of The States, guest host Esther Wickham looks at the races for State superintendent in California and Arizona which candidates discussing different issues from school choice to AI in schools to getting politics out of the classroom. California voters will choose between Democrat Richard Barrera, president of the San Diego Unified School District Board of Education, and Republican Sonja Shaw, president of the Chino Valley Unified School District Board of Education. In Arizona, voters will choose between Republican Yee and Democrat Ruiz for superintendent of public instruction. Wickham also talked with The Center Square's Elyse Apel about Michigan Gov. Whitmer's trip to Asia funded by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Gov Whitmer has taken several trips abroad costing tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars during her tenure as governor. And MEDC has faced ongoing scrutiny about the taxpayer dollars it funnels to businesses and whether there has been a return on those investments. Plus, America's Talking:Arizona: https://www.thecentersquare.com/arizona/article_06f4e48c-0966-496a-a874-3b11f1ebf253.htmlNorth Carolina: https://www.thecentersquare.com/north_carolina/article_7c9c8b79-6266-4d59-870c-82db83e7fa95.htmlInvestigations: https://www.thecentersquare.com/national/article_679b90f4-c2ef-474e-85e7-d41a76937778.html Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  5. 5d ago

    Why Georgia's child protection agency paid $1 million for a Chevy | Weekend Edition

    On this edition of the Center Square Radio Hour, The U.S. Supreme Court agreed on Tuesday to take up a case determining whether a court is able to issue sweeping orders against executive advisory bodies, like the Department of Government Efficiency. The Georgia Department of Human Services, which oversees the state's child welfare agency, paid more than $950,000 for just one Chevrolet Traverse. As public education remains a concern for taxpayers, supporters of school choice programs argue that giving families more educational options can improve student outcomes at a lower cost. And PhD Economist Orphe Divounguy digs into the housing market Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  6. 6d ago

    Felons and Firearms: Separate Orders, Same Appeals Court, Different Outcomes | The States

    Third Circuit Court of Appeals gives two rulings on felons and firearms, polling on data centers, energy, and license plate reader cameras, and mortgage rates locking in sellers. On today's episode of The States, host Greg Bishop looks at two cases out of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals with opposite rulings on whether a felon has a right to possess a firearm. The two cases looked at different defendants with different charges and came to different conclusions base primarily on whether the individuals had violent histories. Bishop also spoke with The Center Square's Jon Styf about The Center Square's Voters' Voice Poll which found the majority of voters think data centers should pay for the energy and infrastructure they need rather than other ratepayers. A more even split showed up in the question of whether to have a moratorium on data centers. And different views prevailed on the question of whether Flock cameras and other automatic license plate readers are beneficial enough in fighting crime to outweigh potential privacy concerns. Plus, The Center Square Publisher Chris Krug and Ph.D. Economist Orphe Divounguy talk about the housing market, renting versus selling, and when it is worth leaving a 3% mortgage rate even if your new rate will be higher. America's Talking:ENERGY: https://www.thecentersquare.com/national/article_9fad52d7-b3f1-4048-84f6-fac03378b6aa.htmlCalifornia: https://www.thecentersquare.com/california/article_cb4d1fd1-bf5a-4482-812a-56062ede59db.htmlPennsylvania: https://www.thecentersquare.com/pennsylvania/article_5e062fc0-cdbc-433e-959d-7c96fa904268.htmlWashington: https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_82f3a678-e7f1-4d52-b82e-c9b0d3df45d4.html Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  7. Oct 15

    IRS Fraud Costs Taxpayers Up to $304B a Year, DOJ Official Says | The States

    The Trump administration announced the Justice Department’s first nationwide tax fraud surge, and HHS is ending subsidies for 189,000 Affordable Care Act enrollments. Also on The States: campaign finance filings for Democratic Socialists of America candidates, and California’s climate law turning 20. Assistant U.S. Attorney General Colin McDonald said the DOJ surge brought prosecutorial actions against 76 defendants in 45 days, with more than $490 million in intended losses. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said CMS is terminating subsidies tied to duplicate and deceased enrollments, which the agency estimates will save more than $1.5 billion a year. Enrollees have 30 days to dispute a termination. A Center Square investigation compares large and small donations to DSA-endorsed and aligned candidates. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez raises about 90% from small donors. Abdul El-Sayed and several other DSA-aligned candidates raise roughly equal amounts from large and small donors. The investigation also examines funding behind Justice Democrats and the Working Families PAC. Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Gov. Gavin Newsom marked 20 years of the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, crediting it with emissions cuts and economic growth. Pacific Research Institute economist Wayne Winegarden counters that Californians pay much higher energy costs and that other states cut emissions without California’s approach. Plus: an OCC report on debanking at nine major banks, a 3.6% Social Security COLA for 2027, Illinois’ SNAP error rate, and a $837 million Port of Philadelphia expansion. What do you think? Leave a comment below, and subscribe for daily coverage of the stories impacting taxpayers across the states. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  8. Oct 14

    Supreme Court Agrees To Hear DOGE Open Records Case + Illinois Tax Referendums Abound | The States

    Illinois tax referendums, Jon Ossoff & Mike Collins face off in Georgia Senate debate, and Supreme Court DOGE case. On today's episode of The States, host Greg Bishop looks at the Illinois Governors debate and talks to Ted Dabrowski about tax referendums on ballots all across the state. Bishop also reviews clips from Georgia's Senate debate where incumbent Sen. John Ossoff (D) and Rep. Mike Collins (R) got heated over immigration, healthcare, and other issues. The Center Square's Andrew Rice joined to discuss the latest out of the U.S. Supreme Court with them taking up a case on DOGE records requests, an immigration case over whether being a cook counts as 'material support' of a terrorist organization, and oral arguments weighing whether the 1988 Video Privacy Protection Act applies to streaming services. And Everyday Economist with The Center Square publisher Chris Krug and Ph.D. Economist Orphe Divounguy discussing how current rates are helping savers and investors but pinching renters and those with credit card debt. Also, America's Talking:ECONOMY: https://www.thecentersquare.com/national/article_f8675ac7-1546-4632-abe9-d6d3ca3629da.htmlACCOUNTABILITY: https://www.thecentersquare.com/north_carolina/article_fddcd484-d313-4b19-9b55-6129d281e88a.htmlIMMIGRATION: https://www.thecentersquare.com/national/article_6a63348a-d007-4400-a742-12be7993232b.htmlCALIFORNIA: https://www.thecentersquare.com/california/article_efe13517-4b3b-4227-95e8-27885146718f.html Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

The States Powered by The Center Square is a show that highlights the work of The Center Square reporters from statehouses across the country to Washington D.C. all with an eye towards the impacts of today's news on the taxpayer.

Information

  • Creator
    The Center Square
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    273
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Center Square
  • Show Website
    The States

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