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VIDEO: Illinois delegate talks Trump, political rhetoric at RNC
(The Center Square) – Former Illinois state senator and Republican candidate for governor Darren Bailey talked Wednesday with The Center Square about a range of topics at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, including the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump, political rhetoric and more. See full video below.
Consumer groups say lawmakers violated state constitution
(The Center Square) – Georgia consumer groups have filed a federal lawsuit against the state, saying lawmakers violated the state’s constitution by passing legislation that delays Georgia Public Service Commission elections. Georgia-based attorneys Bryan Sells and Lester Tate filed the lawsuit on behalf of the Georgia WAND Education Fund, the Georgia Conservation Voters and Brionté McCorkle, the advocacy's executive director. The action, which names Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s denial of a request to review an 11th U.S. Circuit Court...
Judge halts gubernatorial candidate’s misdirection of taxpayer funds
(The Center Square) – Direction of taxpayer funds from the world’s largest pork producer by North Carolina’s Democratic candidate for governor has been stopped by a Superior Court judge. Attorney General Josh Stein, Gov. Roy Cooper and state Controller Nels Roseland were dealt defeat by a Randolph County pastor, Jonathan Burris, suing on behalf of the Randolph County Board of Education. Shirley, in his ruling, wrote money paid by Smithfield Foods since July 2019 “must be used for the purpose of environmental enhancement in public...
Carney urged to veto college abortion pill proposal
(The Center Square) — Delaware Gov. John Carney is being urged to veto a bill that would require the state's colleges and universities to provide abortion-inducing medication to students. The proposal, which the Democratic-controlled Legislature approved in the final weeks of its annual session, would require colleges and universities in Delaware with student health centers to offer emergency contraception and to facilitate care for students seeking medication abortion. Democrats argue...
VIDEO: Washington GOP candidate at RNC talks Trump, ballot initiatives
(The Center Square) – Jolie Lansdowne, Washington state delegate to the GOP and candidate for state representative, spoke to The Center Square Associate Editor Greg Bishop Wednesday about the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, politics in Washington, the three ballot initiatives to be decided this November and more. The interview was conducted on the floor of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Lansdowne, who will face Democratic incumbent...
Arizona housing program proving to be popular
(The Center Square) – The Hobbs administration is touting the "Arizona is Home" state mortgage assistance program created in part with federal taxpayer dollars. The administration said that 100 homes had been closed in the Grand Canyon State so far as part of the program, which provides financial help for first-time homebuyers from $20-30,000 depending on one's income qualifications. According to the Arizona Department of Housing, the funds can be used for interest rates, the down payment, or "closing costs." ...
Spokane may prop up scattered-site homeless shelter model as soon as Aug. 1
(The Center Square) – The mayor of Spokane’s proposal for a scattered-site homeless shelter model and a housing navigation center is moving toward fruition, with an intended project start date of Aug. 1. On Monday, the city council’s Public Infrastructure, Environment and Sustainability Committee briefly discussed the idea of a navigation center and potential providers. The city previously issued a Request for Proposals and is now moving toward awarding the contract. ...
California school sues over ban on K-12 schools notifying parents of gender changes
(The Center Square) - California parents and a school district filed a joint federal lawsuit against the state over its new ban on public schools notifying parents of students’ gender change requests. Soon before the lawsuit was filed, entrepreneur Elon Musk announced he is moving the headquarters of X, formerly known as Twitter, and SpaceX from California to Texas in response to the law. The lawsuit, filed by Liberty Justice...
VIDEO: U.S. Rep. Tiffany discusses assassination attempt, more at RNC
(The Center Square) – U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Wisconsin, sat down Wednesday with The Center Square on the floor of the Republican National Convention hall to discuss a range of issues, including the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, political rhetoric, the border and more. Watch the full video below.
'Multiplier' puts economic impact at $2.9B for St. Louis mass transit expansion
(The Center Square) – Building and operating an extension of a mass transit line in St. Louis would result in billions in construction spending, create jobs and bring economic development, according to a report prepared by a local university. The word, “multiplier,” is used 20 times throughout a 14-page document projecting the impact of the project. It projected $58.5 million in economic activity during the line’s first five years. “Over...
Stein's fundraising doubles Robinson in North Carolina governor’s race
(The Center Square) – Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Stein raised more than double the amount of money for his campaign than Republican candidate Mark Robinson in the most recent period, promising a heated race for the governor’s mansion in North Carolina. Stein ended the second fundraising quarter with $15.9 million in the bank, while Robinson has $6.6 million, according to campaign finance documents. The race for governor in North Carolina...
Michigan regulatory departments cut seats, committees
(The Center Square) – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer promised to significantly streamline state administrative groups by cutting certain positions and combining committees. Changes are expected to seven state departments, though predominantly the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. The governor says the changes are to reduce “redundancy” and “red tape” in state government. “Michigan’s government should work for Michiganders,” Whitmer said in a news release. “Our boards, councils, and commissions...
Oregon declares wildfire emergency in response to several active wildfires
(The Center Square) – Oregon Governor Tina Kotek issued a state of emergency declaration this week due to the imminent wildfire threat. The declaration will last through Oct. 1. "Wildfires are active across Oregon and are growing at a concerning pace. Hot and windy conditions this weekend, including forecasted lightning in some areas, are threatening even larger wildfires," Kotek said in a press release from her office. "I am declaring...
Incentive package of $13M lures Nipro headquarters to North Carolina
(The Center Square) – Nipro, manufacturer of medical surgical and renal products, has been lured to North Carolina by an incentive package of more than $13 million. The 70-year-old Japanese company secured a $2.48 million grant from the state toward a $397 million manufacturing center and American headquarters. It is eligible for other assistance such as job training and infrastructure support, bringing the total amount of potential state incentives to $4.16 million. Pitt County previously approved $9 million in incentives. ...
Drummond appeals injunction halting Oklahoma's immigration law
(The Center Square) - Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond filed an appeal of an injunction halting Oklahoma's immigration law. U.S. District Judge Bernard M. Jones said in an order issued in June that Oklahoma “may have understandable frustrations with the problems caused by illegal immigration ... but the State may not pursue policies that undermine federal law," a referral to a 2012 Arizona case. Oklahoma lawmakers passed the law during...
House member, for second time in three days, tenders resignation
(The Center Square) – For the second time this week, a member has resigned from the North Carolina House of Representatives. Rep. Ashton Wheeler Clemmons, D-Guilford, is leaving for a position in the UNC System. A specific date to leave was not given, pending her replacement. She was a candidate for reelection this fall. On Monday, Lincoln County Republican Jason Saine said Aug. 12 would be his final day. ...
Survey: Nearly half of small businesses couldn't cover June rent
(The Center Square) – A new survey shows that nearly a third of Illinois small businesses couldn't pay their rent on time or in full in June, but conditions have improved. The small business network Alignable survey shows that nationwide, 46% of small business owners reported rent difficulties, the highest delinquency rate since March 2021. Only 28% of small businesses said they have fully recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic. Researcher...
Gianforte: firefighters working tirelessly on Horse Gulch Fire
(The Center Square) – Gov Greg Gianforte has been briefed on the Horse Gulch Fire impacting the community of York. The governor also surveyed the fire areas with Montana’s Department of Natural Resources and Conversation (DNRC) officials. Gianforte said that “firefighters and personnel are working tirelessly to suppress the fire” while establishing and expanding containment lines and helping the U.S. Forest Service protect lives and property. ...
Strings attached to rural tax support frustrate locals
(The Center Square) — State agencies own vast amounts of rural lands, which limits the tax base for small communities and townships. With the new state budget, those local governments will see more payments to balance out fiscal limitations. The extra funding, a $1.80 increase, comes from slot machine revenues, and state agencies will pay $9 per acre for their land to municipal and county governments, and school districts (split...
CenterPoint Energy restores power to 98% of customers
(The Center Square) – Ten days after Hurricane Beryl hit the Texas coast, CenterPoint Energy and its crews have restored power to more than 98% of impacted customers. It remains on track to restore electricity to all customers who can receive power by Friday, it said in a statement. In response to demands issued by Gov. Greg Abbott, the company said, “We have work underway to address the Governor’s requests and are committed to collaborating with the State, local government, regulators, and community leaders to...
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The Center Square reports on state- and local-level government and economic news. A taxpayer sensibility distinguishes our work from other coverage of state and local issues.
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