Author: Center Square, Washington Examiner

(The Center Square) — New data shows that tourism in Seattle is near pre-COVID-19 levels, but international tensions could halt progress on that front. Visit Seattle, Seattle and King County’s destination marketing organization, reported that approximately 40 million visitors came to the city and King County in 2024, a 5.3% increase from 2023, a near full recovery…

(The Center Square) — Illinois’ meat producers say they are concerned about the prospect of tariffs on their industry, but they’re working to maintain their market share. President Donald Trump’s tariff policies continue to bring uncertainty to various markets, including agricultural markets and exports. BECOMING AN AMERICAN: HOW TO FIX THE LEGAL IMMIGRATION SYSTEM During…

(The Center Square) — A small business advocate says a paid leave proposal in the Illinois Senate would be a direct tax on workers and employers. State Sen. Ram Villivalam, D-Chicago, proposed creating the Division of Paid Family and Medical Leave within the Illinois Department of Labor with Senate Bill 2413. Noah Finley is the Illinois…

(The Center Square) — Electric car company Tesla has reportedly hired 1,000 new employees for their “gigafactory” to support ramped-up semi truck manufacturing. After years of delays, Tesla has hired the army of employees at the Sparks Gigafactory east of Reno to finally spur production for the line of electric semi-trucks. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said…

(The Center Square) — A controversial gender identity protection bill heads to the Colorado Senate floor next week after being approved with some major amendments in committee on Thursday. House Bill 25-1312, titled “Legal Protections for Transgender Individuals,” has been hotly debated during the legislative session, garnering support from transgender rights groups and opposition from…

(The Center Square) — The greatest number of antisemitic attacks were reported last year, 9,354, according to an annual report published by the Anti-Defamation League. The majority of incidents, 64%, occurred in 10 states, eight of which are led by Democrats, the Center Square reported. According to the ADL’s Audit of Antisemitic Incidents in 2024, New York state…

(The Center Square) — Lawmakers in the Florida Legislature are considering adding initiatives to the ballot that could help homeowners reduce their property taxes and help defray personal property taxes on agricultural equipment. House Joint Resolution 1257 and Senate Joint Resolution 1510 are similar bills that would accomplish one of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ policy priorities of property tax relief via…

(The Center Square) — Lawmakers in both chambers of the General Assembly want to launch a Pennsylvania Department of Government Efficiency — or PA DOGE — that would be tasked with rooting out government waste and improving fiscal accountability across state agencies. Earlier this year, Rep. Stephenie Scialabba, R-Cranberry Twp., announced plans to introduce legislation…

(The Center Square) — Litigation filed against North Carolina’s State Board of Elections on Tuesday contests a memo of instruction to county boards of elections in conflict with absentee by mail ballot state laws. For the board, it’s lawsuit No. 6 in 43 days, and the fourth in 12. Virginia Wasserberg, registered in Pasquotank County,…

(The Center Square) – Crime is up in Chicago despite city-wide efforts — and more than $180 million — to reduce violence through a series of programs. Republican state Rep. John Cabello said Chicago’s rising crime rate amounts to an indictment of the state’s present legal system and all its recent changes. New data shows…