Madyson Fitzgerald

Data center tax breaks are on the chopping block in some states • Stateline As some states welcome more data centers with tax incentives, others are scaling back to balance economic development and energy considerations.

The data center momentum is shifting.

After years of states pushing legislation to accelerate the development of data centers, some legislators want to limit or repeal state and local incentives that paved their way. My latest for @stateline.org

stateline.org/2026/02/24/d...

Senators propose phasing out data center tax credit, House budget keeps it • Virginia Mercury Data center industry opposes rolling back tax credit that costs the state a billion dollars annually.

Va. lawmakers are split in the budget’s final weeks: Senate plant pushes to phase out a major data center tax credit to free up revenue, while the House budget keeps the break intact — setting up a clash as negotiators work toward a deal before the session ends.

virginiamercury.com/2026/02/24/s...

Data center tax breaks are on the chopping block in some states • Stateline As some states welcome more data centers with tax incentives, others are scaling back to balance economic development and energy considerations.

Lawmakers changing their minds about data centers...

Great story from @maddyfitz.bsky.social @stateline.org
stateline.org/2026/02/24/d...

Subscribe • Stateline Stateline Daily is your cheat sheet for the day's most important state and local policy stories from across the country. You'll get the latest stories and headlines delivered to your inbox each…

Stateline Daily is your cheat sheet for the day's most important state and local policy stories from across the country.

You'll get the latest stories and headlines delivered to your inbox each morning.

@maddyfitz.bsky.social
Sign up here: stateline.org/subscribe/

Our small staff of four reporters has brought distinctive stories about Operation Metro Surge this year, for free and without advertising. Your generous support is what makes that work possible. If you're willing and able, please help us keep it going. minnesotareformer.com/donate/

As Trump targets elections, states fight back in court | News From The States

Episode 16 is live!

This week, we will address Trump's attacks on elections and how some states are pushing back. This episode will feature Fulton County Commissioner Robb Pitts, Elias Law Group's Elisabeth Frost, and @stateline.org.

@georgiarecorder.com
www.newsfromthestates.com/episode/trum...

Philadelphia’s slavery exhibit is being restored at President’s House Site The panels depict the lives of nine people enslaved by George Washington while he was president.

Workers have begun restoring the slavery exhibit in Philadelphia that was removed by the Trump administration

I'm a health reporter at @stateline.org and @statesnewsroom.com. I'm looking for experts and researchers following the effects of #ACA subsidy expiration and #Medicaid coverage loss on chronic illness, specifically #diabetes. DM's are open and open to research links. s chatlani AT stateline dot org

Autonomous cars in Iowa would need human drivers under proposed bills • Iowa Capital Dispatch Iowa lawmakers advanced two bills from House subcommittees that would restrict the commercial operation of driverless cars.

Self-driving cars in IA: Iowa lawmakers advanced two bills from House subcommittees that would restrict the commercial operation of self-driving vehicles and assign liability to the owners of autonomous vehicles.

(@iowacapitaldispatch.com)

iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/02/16/a...

How WA lawmakers are trying to regulate data centers • Washington State Standard Washington legislators advanced data center legislation out of the House Appropriations Committee Monday with two significant changes.

With data centers expected to become the largest source of electricity demand in the Pacific Northwest, Washington legislators are pressing ahead with a bill aimed at protecting the grid and offsetting potential hikes for utility ratepayers. washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/02/11/h...

Texas becomes seventh state to ban lab-grown meat • Stateline Texas is the fifth state this year and seventh overall to ban lab-grown meat.

Lab-grown meat bills are still pretty popular. Here's my story from last year:

stateline.org/2025/06/30/t...

Governor vetoes bill that would ban lab-grown meat, but says he’d support a moratorium • South Dakota Searchlight Rhoden proposed a compromise of a five-year ban on lab-grown meat products to allow the state time to study the product.

South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden vetoed a bill that would have effectively banned lab-grown meat in the state, but also suggested a moratorium on the products as a compromise approach. (@southdakotasearchlight.com)

southdakotasearchlight.com/2026/02/09/g...

The Sermon on the Mount, by Beryl Lewis, before 1965, 📸 by @ScottStrazzante

just a stellar headline really

With electricity bills rising, some states consider new data center laws • Stateline As Americans grow increasingly frustrated over their electricity bills, states are trying to keep the nation’s growing number of data centers from causing higher energy costs for consumers.

As Americans grow increasingly frustrated over their electricity bills, states are trying to keep the nation’s growing number of data centers from causing higher energy costs for consumers.

https://stateline.org/2026/02/05/with-electricity-bills-rising-some-states-consider-new-data-center-laws/

Despite widespread interest, only 3 states passed license plate reader laws this year • Stateline Lawmakers in at least 16 states this year introduced bills to regulate the use of automated license plate readers responsible for collecting large amounts of data on drivers across the country. But ju...

Last year, I reported that lawmakers in at least 16 states introduced bills to regulate the use of automated license plate. But just three states — Arkansas, Idaho and Virginia — enacted laws. This year, Washington may join the list.

stateline.org/2025/10/10/d...

WA Senate OKs guardrails for license plate readers • Washington State Standard Legislation to regulate the use of automated license plate readers passed the Washington state Senate on Wednesday.

The Washington Senate passed legislation that would regulate the use of automated license plate readers amid concerns over federal immigration agents accessing data the devices collect.

washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/02/04/w...

We Found New York’s Guardianship System in Shambles. Now State Lawmakers Say They Have a Plan to Help Fix It. Two years after ProPublica first documented the state’s dire shortage of guardians — and the substandard care some provide — lawmakers are pitching a $15 million-per-year fix. It’s unclear whether the...

NEW: Two years after ProPublica first documented the state’s dire shortage of guardians — and the substandard care some provide — lawmakers are pitching a $15 million-per-year fix.

It’s unclear whether the law has the governor’s support.

Stateline Daily | News From The States Your morning cheat sheet for the day's most important state and local policy stories from across the country.

Subscribe to Stateline Daily, your morning cheat sheet for the day's most important state and local policy stories from across the country.

via @stateline.org @maddyfitz.bsky.social

www.newsfromthestates.com/newsletter/s...

‘These kids are invisible’: Child abuse deaths spur clash over homeschool regulation • Stateline Recent high-profile child abuse deaths in several states have led to renewed calls from state lawmakers for stronger homeschooling regulations.

Recent high-profile child abuse deaths of children who had been pulled out of school have led to renewed calls for stronger homeschooling regulations, Anna Claire Vollers reports.

https://stateline.org/2026/01/29/these-kids-are-invisible-child-abuse-deaths-spur-clash-over-homeschool-regulation/

Va. state senator seeks to keep future data centers away from residential areas • Virginia Mercury With rising concerns over where data centers are able to be built, one bill looks to keep them in industrial areas.

Va. state senator is proposing a bill that would keep future data centers in industrial zones — blocking them from being built near residential areas amid growing community concern over noise, power use and local impacts.

virginiamercury.com/2026/01/27/v...

As AI-generated fake content mars legal cases, states want guardrails • Stateline As more false quotes, fake court cases and incorrect information appear in legal documents generated by artificial intelligence, state bar associations, state court systems and national law organizati...

My latest with @stateline.org: From divorce cases to discrimination lawsuits, AI-generated fake content can cause evidence to be dismissed and motions to be denied.

Read how state bar associations and court systems are trying to address the issue.

stateline.org/2026/01/26/a...

As AI-generated fake content mars legal cases, states want guardrails • Stateline As more false quotes, fake court cases and incorrect information appear in legal documents generated by artificial intelligence, state bar associations, state court systems and national law organizations are issuing guidance on its use in the legal field. A handful of states are considering or enacting legislation to address the issue.

From Madyson Fitzgerald: As more false quotes and fake court cases appear in legal documents generated by AI, state bar associations, court systems and national law organizations want guidance.

https://stateline.org/2026/01/26/as-ai-generated-fake-content-mars-legal-cases-states-want-guardrails/

More AI bills: State lawmakers are scrambling to establish consumer protections as retailers increasingly use artificial intelligence-powered personalized pricing.

via @pluribusnews.bsky.social
pluribusnews.com/news-and-eve...

Keeping ICE in check, how Memphis and Minneapolis are doing it | News From The States

Don't miss our recent episode of Stories From The States for a check in on how some communities are holding ICE accountable.

@minnesotareformer.com @vecindarios901.bsky.social

#FairFearlessFree #LocalJournalism

www.newsfromthestates.com/episode/keep...

AI therapy chatbots draw new oversight as suicides raise alarm • Stateline States are passing laws to prevent artificially intelligent chatbots, such as ChatGPT, from being able to offer mental health advice to young users, following a trend of people harming themselves after seeking therapy from the AI programs.

From Shalina Chatlani: States are passing laws to prevent AI chatbots from being able to offer mental health advice to young users, following a trend of people harming themselves after seeking help.

https://stateline.org/2026/01/15/ai-therapy-chatbots-draw-new-oversight-as-suicides-raise-alarm/

The struggle inside and outside of data centers | News From The States

Many localities have touted the economic benefits of investing in data centers. However, data center workers and local residents are pushing back against these projects.

Don't miss our recent episode of Stories From The States, which explores this issue.

www.newsfromthestates.com/episode/stru...

Utah allows nation's first AI drug prescriptions The move could shape AI regulation nationwide, but critics say bots could make bad decisions.

ICYMI: Utah is allowing AI to prescribe some drugs — the first prescriptions in the nation to be filled by a bot rather than a doctor.

www.axios.com/local/salt-l...

NJ bill targets social media companies promoting diet products to children • New Jersey Monitor A bill sponsor said social media companies must have safeguards in place to protect young users from content that promotes eating disorders.

NJ bill targets social media companies promoting diet products to children newjerseymonitor.com/briefs/socia...

'Teaching us how to grow with our babies': How prisons allow mothers and infants to nest for months • Stateline Prison nursery programs allow babies to live behind walls with their mothers — a rare and controversial approach that forces states to confront how punishment, public safety and early childhood develo...

NEW from @amandavhernan.bsky.social: Mothers behind bars face unique challenges — and a new prison nursery in Missouri is giving some a chance to bond with their babies.

Read more on how some mothers across the country are navigating parenting behind bars.

stateline.org/2026/01/09/t...