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.
Biggs Says Arizona Should Be More Like Florida Than California | The States
Arizona Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs makes his case for governor against Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs as early voting begins. Pennsylvania State Police warn skill games could be seized after the state Supreme Court’s Oct. 13 deadline. Host Greg Bishop covers these stories and more on this Oct. 8 episode of The States, powered by The Center Square.
Andy Biggs interview: Biggs discusses the Colorado River and groundwater, immigration enforcement and responds to clips from Hobbs. He also covers data center guardrails, eliminating Arizona’s income tax, right to work and Proposition 141, which would ban mileage-based taxes.
Pennsylvania skill games: Lawmakers have filed a King’s Bench motion seeking more time as the deadline passes before the legislature returns. Rep. Kate Klunk pushes to legalize online raffles for nonprofits. State police warn of machine seizures, criminal charges and liquor license action.
Gas tax holidays and e-bikes: North Carolina lawmakers pass a pause of the 41-cent gas tax through Nov. 30, paid from state reserves. Ohio lawmakers plan a bill to require e-bike registration and safety classes.
Detroit nonprofit amends filings: The Center Square investigative reporter Jared Strong reports that a nonprofit led by Pastor Marvin Winans amended six years of IRS filings after The Center Square reported salaries listed for him. The amended filings show no salary, and Strong lays out the questions that remain.
America’s Talking:
Colorado: Campaign finance investigations in the governor’s race.
Pennsylvania: Gov. Josh Shapiro and Treasurer Stacy Garrity debate.
California: Steve Hilton’s tax cut pitch at a forum Xavier Becerra didn’t attend.
Michigan: Jocelyn Benson and John James hold their first debate.
Who has your vote for governor? Tell us in the comments, and subscribe for daily state and local news. Know of a nonprofit you suspect is misusing public dollars? Contact The Center Square at thecentersquare.com.
7 Oct 2026
Aaron Ammons Ballot Mistakes: 600 Misprinted Ballots Mailed in One Illinois County | The States
States are looking at mileage-based user fees to replace shrinking gas tax revenue, and President Donald Trump has ordered a waiver of the federal diesel excise tax and dyed diesel penalties through year's end. Host Greg Bishop covers these stories, ballot errors in Champaign County, Illinois, and Tennessee's failed execution of Christa Pike on this Oct. 7 episode of The States, powered by The Center Square.
Mileage-based user fees: Reason Foundation transportation policy analyst Jay Derr reviews the permanent road usage charge programs in Utah, Oregon, Virginia and Hawaii. He covers collection costs, in-state versus out-of-state miles, privacy protections and why a mileage fee should replace the gas tax rather than add to it.
Pennsylvania: Protesters call for a three-year statewide moratorium on data centers. An Oct. 13 deadline for Skill game regulation will arrive before lawmakers return to Harrisburg. Pittsburgh and Allegheny County councils back striking IBEW Local 29 workers. Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato proposes a 2027 budget with no tax increase and no layoffs as the county's pension shortfall goes unresolved.
Champaign County ballot errors: The Center Square's Sean Reed reports on about 600 misprinted ballots that swapped Illinois House races. He also covers calls for Clerk Aaron Ammons to step aside and the federal case against Aaron and Carol Ammons, set for trial Dec. 7. Reed also covers former House Republican Leader Jim Durkin's endorsement of Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Darren Bailey's response.
Tennessee execution: Christa Pike survived a Sept. 30 execution attempt, Correction Commissioner Frank Strada resigned, and House Speaker Cameron Sexton says lawmakers will review execution methods in January.
America's Talking:
Boim lawsuit: A February 2027 trial is set in the Boim family's lawsuit against American Muslims for Palestine.
Florida: Gov. Ron DeSantis cites nearly $1 billion in savings from a Medicaid fraud effort.
Nevada: Health Link rates will rise 17%.
California: Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoes several bills affecting taxpayers.
Should a mileage fee replace the gas tax? 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.
#GasTax #MileageFee #ChampaignCounty #Tennessee #TheCenterSquare
6 Oct 2026
Supreme Court Denies 48 Gun Cases, Takes No New Second Amendment Cases | The States
The U.S. Supreme Court denied 48 firearms-related cases and took up no new Second Amendment cases on the first orders list of its new term. Georgia drivers are paying about 33 cents less per gallon after Gov. Brian Kemp suspended the state gas tax. Host Greg Bishop covers these stories and more on this Oct. 6 episode of The States, powered by The Center Square.
Supreme Court gun cases: The court denied 37 challenges to the federal felon-in-possession ban and declined Johnson v. Jacobson, a case on whether Minnesota must recognize out-of-state carry licenses. Nine firearms cases remain pending, and the Cook County gun ban challenge will be argued Dec. 2. The court also heard arguments in Suncor v. Boulder County over climate lawsuits.
RISE education rankings: Dr. Terry Stoops of Defending Education discusses the group's new rankings of state policies on classroom ideology and parental rights. Tennessee ranks first and Illinois ranks near the bottom.
Pennsylvania legislature: The House passed first-time kratom regulations with a 12% excise tax, along with House Bill 2380, which requires utilities to procure battery storage. Both bills head to the Senate.
Georgia gas tax suspension: Center Square Associate Editor Kim Jarrett explains what drivers are saving and how the state's $14.6 billion surplus covers the lost revenue. She also discusses what declining gas tax collections mean for road funding.
Filibuster debate: Democratic Senate candidates Juliana Stratton and Jamie Davis disagree on ending the filibuster, while Republican Don Tracy and Majority Leader John Thune support keeping it.
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YouTube
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Engagement
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