Articles by The Center Square

About The Center Square

The Center Square was launched in May 2019 to fulfill the need for high-quality statehouse and statewide news across the United States. The focus of our work is state- and local-level government and economic reporting. A taxpayer sensibility distinguishes our work from other coverage of state and local issues.

U.S. Sen. Rob Portman pushes craft beer industry modernization and tax reform bill

December 2, 2020 The Center Square

U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, is pushing for a craft beer industry modernization and tax reform bill.

Disney to layoff 4,000 more employees than it initially reported

November 27, 2020 The Center Square

The Walt Disney Co. is planning to layoff about 4,000 more employees than it initially reported to the federal government because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Millions plan to travel for Thanksgiving despite COVID-19 concerns

November 25, 2020 The Center Square

More than 2 million Illinoisans are expected to travel this Thanksgiving holiday, despite advice from health experts.

California ‘ignores science, reason’ setting theme park reopening rules, industry officials say

October 21, 2020 The Center Square

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to keep larger amusement parks closed until their home county reaches Tier 4 of the state’s reopening plan will devastate California’s major theme park industry, Erin Guerrero, executive director of the California Attractions and Parks Association (CAPA), said.

Consumers plan to fly internationally within six months, report finds

October 12, 2020 The Center Square

Most consumers plan to fly internationally and are open to air travel, according to a new survey conducted by OAG, a global travel data provider that says it monitors the world’s largest network of schedules and travel status data.

Arizona attorney general leads charge for consumer protections in new airline legislation

October 5, 2020 The Center Square

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich is the lead signer on a letter sent to Congress Thursday from 40 attorneys general asking that consumer protection measures be included in new airline bailout legislation.

Music is on the brink in Music City

September 3, 2020 The Center Square

Mandatory COVID-19 shutdowns are driving Nashville’s artists out of town and pushing the city’s music venues to the brink of collapse.

California could lose more than 450,000 hotel jobs

September 3, 2020 The Center Square

Hotel job losses in California will number 456,570 this year, out of a total of 1,014,600 hotel jobs in the state, according to projections by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA).

Hurricane Laura batters Louisiana coast, storm surge could reach 30 miles inland

August 27, 2020 The Center Square

The storm surge from Hurricane Laura could reach 30 miles north into Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas, the National Hurricane Center warned early Thursday, even as the storm has been downgraded to a Category 2.

A view of New York City from One World Observatory.

New Yorkers pay $6.44 per gallon in taxes on distilled spirits

August 12, 2020 The Center Square

New York distilled spirits drinkers pay the equivalent of $6.44 per gallon in state excise taxes on their stiff drinks, according to a new analysis from the Tax Foundation based on January 2020 data.