(The Center Square) – White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt continued to insist the president’s tariffs and other economic policies would lead to an economic boom, amid questions from reporters over U.S-China relations and tariff deals with other countries. 

Since “Liberation Day” on April 2 when President Donald Trump announced new tariff rates for nearly all of America’s trading partners, the U.S. has raised its tariffs on China several times to a new rate of 145%. China, in return, raised its tariffs on the U.S. to 125%; the European Union also raised its tariffs on a range of American goods to 25% this week. On Wednesday, the administration announced a 90-day pause on all new tariffs for all countries besides China, and the EU paused its retaliatory rates in response.

While the administration says over 75 countries are attempting to negotiate rates, the White House has said it won’t release the list of those countries and the details of the negotiations are currently mostly unknown to the public. Israel has said it’s making changes to its trade policies with the U.S. and the White House has said Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and Italy are seeking out deals.

“President Trump has said China wants to make a deal on tariffs. The president says he has a great relationship with Chinese President Xi; he’s willing to speak with him directly. Why doesn’t the president just pick up the phone and get this ball going?” one reporter asked.

“The president, as I said from the podium just a few days ago… would be gracious if China intends to make a deal with the United States. If China continues to retaliate, it’s not good for China,” Leavitt responded.

“So is he waiting for China to make the first move?” the reporter asked. 

Leavitt said she wouldn’t comment on the countries’ discussions, of if any were happening, but that the White House would provide updates “moving forward” and the president remains “optimistic” about a deal with China.

“Why would any of our allies work with us to isolate China in a trade war if we’re treating friend and foe alike?” another reporter followed up.

“You’ll have to talk to our allies who are reaching out us. The phones are ringing off the hooks. They’ve made it very clear they need the United States of America. They need our markets, they need our customer base,” Leavitt replied.

Another reporter later said he had a source within the administration who had told him the administration was “weeks away” from a tariff deal with any country.

“How soon can we see that and what country is that?” he asked.

“I won’t reveal or get ahead of our trade team as these negotiations are obviously ongoing, but I can tell you very good progress has been made,” Leavitt said. She added that U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer had shared good news on that front. 

“He confirmed that more than 15 offers are already on the table, which is remarkable in just a mere matter of days.”

(The Center Square) − Louisiana lawmakers are putting insurance reform front and center this session, with Gov. Jeff Landry and Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple pushing legal and regulatory changes to combat high auto, commercial, and homeowners premiums.

The legislative session will begin Monday, with final adjournment scheduled for June 12. 

Temple calls the situation a crisis, and says the state must catch up to more competitive neighbors.

House Bill 34, backed by Landry, seeks to expand what evidence juries can hear in injury cases—a move aimed at curbing large verdicts. But tort reform remains divisive.

Sen. Jay Luneau, D-Avoyelles, argues such measures haven’t lowered auto rates in decades.

Commercial auto insurance is a pressing concern.

Rep. Gabe Firment, R-Grant, said businesses are parking trucks and laying off workers due to unsustainable premiums.

On the homeowners’ side, Temple wants to stabilize funding for the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program by redirecting part of the state’s insurance premium tax and modestly increasing fees on insurers. He’s also pushing to double the tax deduction for fortified roofs to $10,000.

Sen. Kirk Talbot, R-Jefferson, has filed a bill to create an income tax credit for homeowners who install them.

Temple is also advocating for more transparency from insurers on rates and discounts. Rep. Candace Newell, D-Orleans, signaled support for broader efforts to lower insurance costs during a Public Affairs Research Council panel.

Beyond insurance, lawmakers are also eyeing education and tax changes. Sen. Rick Edmonds, R-East Baton Rouge highlighted plans to seek $25 million in funding for the M.J. Foster Promise Program, which supports adult credentialing.

He also warned that 40% of Louisiana college graduates are leaving the state and said work is underway with higher ed leaders to better align universities with career pathways.

Edmonds praised rising education report card rankings and said high-dose tutoring is likely to receive renewed funding.

Meanwhile, several tax-related bills have been filed, including 11 which establish tax credits, including a credit for costs tied to developing carbon sequestration wells, for motor vehicle manufacturers and suppliers, and for pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturers. 

One proposal by Rep. Danny McCormick would repeal the motion picture production tax credit and reduce the individual income tax rate. Another bill by Rep. Ken Brass, D-Ascension, would extend a tax credit for C-corporations that pay local inventory taxes, but at a reduced rate.

Several bills were filed to limit the carbon capture and storage industry’s power, citing landowner rights, public safety concerns, and lack of transparency. The legislation includes proposals to ban CCS entirely, restrict eminent domain for CO2 pipelines, require near-unanimous landowner consent and enhance public notification and environmental safeguards.

The pushback reflects growing rural opposition to carbon storage projects, amid fears of groundwater contamination, proximity to schools, and erosion of property rights.

(The Center Square) – Parents can apply for Tennessee’s Education Freedom Scholarships in May, according to the Tennessee Department of Education.

The General Assembly approved the school choice program during a special session in January. Gov. Bill Lee signed the bill into law on Feb. 12. The program begins during the 2025-26 school year.

The scholarships will give students $7,295 a year for tuition and fees at the school of their choice. Half of the 20,000 scholarships available in the initial year of the program are based on income. The household income must fall 300% below the federal free or reduced-lunch price guidelines, which is $173,160 a year for a family of four, according to the department.

The remaining 10,000 scholarships are “universal” with no restrictions.

Families must prove that the student is a U.S. citizen or is lawfully in the country, according to the guidelines.

“For the first time, Tennessee parents in all 95 counties will have the opportunity to enroll their child in the school of their choosing, regardless of income level or ZIP code,” Lee said. “Nearly 200 schools have already signaled intent to participate in the Education Freedom Scholarship program, and I have full confidence in the Tennessee Department of Education’s ability to process applications and deliver excellent educational choices for parents in the coming school year.”

The scholarships will cost the state nearly $146 million in the first year and $188 million in future years, according to the fiscal note on the school choice bill.

Georgia is also beginning a school choice program in the 2025-26 school year. The online application process ends Tuesday, according to the Georgia Promise Scholarship’s website. Students must live in the attendance zone of the 25% lower-performing public schools to receive the $ 6,500-a-year scholarships, which must be used for a private school.

The Georgia General Assembly allocated $141 million for the scholarships.