Episode Details

Illinois lawmakers are raising questions about highly paid diversity commissioners and outside consulting work after new disclosures tied to the state’s $6 million Commission on Equity and Inclusion. Critics say the agency’s reported contracting progress may be misleading while the number of certified minority- and women-owned businesses eligible for state contracts has sharply declined amid ongoing system failures. Meanwhile, California’s controversial $1.1 billion Capitol renovation project is drawing renewed scrutiny over more than 2,000 non-disclosure agreements tied to lawmakers, contractors, and state officials. Republican Assemblyman Josh Hoover is pushing legislation to ban secrecy agreements on public projects, arguing taxpayers deserve transparency on rising costs, delays, and unusual contracting decisions tied to the decade-long construction effort. 

Also in today’s episode: 

• Natural gas, energy storage projects line up en masse to plug into power grid

• Michigan Republicans call for federal probe into Governor Gretchen Whitmer over taxpayer-funded grant scandal 

• North Carolina expands tax-credit support for private school donations 

• Washington pension officials warn retirement fund transfer could increase long-term liabilities 

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