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.

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