PLI Bulletin

Taxpayer Protection, Consumer Protection, Recession and More

Posted on March 5, 2025

Taxpayer Protection Act: All too often, companies will receive an economic development subsidy and then fail to keep its side of the bargain. The Taxpayer Protection Act provides that if a subsidized company fails to create the jobs or economic activity promised, the government will recapture all or a portion of the subsidy.

Trump is pushing us toward a Republican recession: “It seems almost unavoidable that we are headed for a deep, deep recession,” says Jesse Rothstein, former Chief Economist at the U.S. Department of Labor. Whether or not the situation is that bad, it’s time to talk about it. Trump will blame Democrats. We should start talking about a “Republican recession” now. For details, read the latest IdeaLog, our blog intended to raise eyebrows and engage minds.

MeidasTouch Podcast: Incredibly, the MeidasTouch Podcast, which is unapologetically anti-Trump, has become the number one podcast in the nation, overtaking Joe Rogan.

States look at shoring up consumer protections as Trump hobbles federal watchdog: Trump is apparently closing up the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. States are beginning to respond with legislation to fill the gap, a Stateline story explains.

States brace for Trump’s plan to dismantle the Education Department: Education Secretary Linda McMahon confirmed that Trump will seek to abolish the U.S. Department of Education. NBC News covers reactions from the states.

Latest Progressive Agenda for States & Localities: The 2025 edition of our Progressive Agenda highlights 50 model bills and hyperlinks to more than 240 models.