Confidential pact: Nearly two dozen Democratic attorneys general signed a confidential pact to coordinate litigation against Donald Trump nearly seven months before he was reelected, according to a document obtained by The Center Square.
Seattle's $700,000 exit: Former Police Chief Shon Barnes is walking away with a $700,000 severance package, nearly double his salary, days after text messages obtained by The Center Square raised questions about how the mayor's office handled a deadly shooting.
Newsom's $347 million: Since 2010, Gov. Gavin Newsom has solicited more than $347 million for favored nonprofits and causes, some from donors with business pending before the state.
Louisiana debit fees: Louisiana retailers can no longer charge customers extra for using a debit card under a law that took effect this month.
Colorado River fight: Arizona and Nevada pushed back against a federal plan for up to 3 million acre-feet in annual water cuts in the Lower Basin, warning it unfairly burdens their states.
Democratic attorneys general planned Trump lawsuits before he was reelected
Photo: Official White House Photo via Flickr / United States Government Work / Edited in Canva
What we found: A confidential "common interest agreement" obtained by The Center Square shows at least 22 Democratic attorneys general began coordinating litigation against Donald Trump as early as April 2024, months before he won a second term. The Center Square traced the effort to a nickname, the "Project for Federal Accountability," and the agreement itself included provisions to keep planning details from the public. Attorneys general have filed nearly 100 lawsuits against the Trump administration since January 2025, and California Attorney General Rob Bonta says the state's lawsuits alone have cost taxpayers $19 million.
The stakes: Coordinated, pre-planned litigation shapes how millions in tax dollars get spent on legal fees. It can also decide which federal policies take effect in your state.
The backstory: Multistate lawsuits against presidents have become routine for both parties, but former Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, who signed similar agreements during his 12 years in office, told The Center Square that planning suits before an election, rather than after a policy takes effect, marks a shift from past practice.
Where it stands: Most signatories declined to comment. Some who did comment downplayed the timing. The Arizona Attorney General’s Office said there was “nothing particularly significant” about the signing date and noted that it also signs common-interest agreements with Republican attorneys general. The Center Square continues to appeal the remaining redactions.
3 States
Washington: Former Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes is walking away with a severance package worth about $700,000, nearly double his $370,000 salary, after serving just 18 months. Barnes resigned at Mayor Katie Wilson's request, days after The Center Square obtained text messages showing no confirmation of when, or whether, a press briefing would happen the night of a mass shooting. Her office still won't explain where the severance money is coming from, even as Seattle faces a $175 million budget shortfall.
California: Since becoming lieutenant governor in 2010, Gov. Gavin Newsom has solicited more than $347 million in donations to nonprofits and causes he favors, more than any official in state history, according to The Center Square's review of state records. Some donors, including Facebook and Blue Shield of California, were lobbying the state or facing state action around the time of their donations. These “behested payments” are legal but lightly regulated, and California Common Cause says the system lets donors curry favor outside the limits that cap campaign checks.
Louisiana: Retailers can no longer charge customers extra for using a debit card under a law that took effect Aug. 1, which lets the attorney general seek civil penalties of up to $500 for each violation of an order issued under it. The law gives Louisiana consumers a new way to fight hidden checkout fees, backed by state enforcement instead of a private lawsuit alone.
2 Issues
Natural Resources: Arizona and Nevada opposed a federal plan this week that calls for up to 3 million acre-feet in annual water cuts from the Colorado River's Lower Basin, warning it places an uneven burden on their states. The guidelines governing the river since 2007 expire at the end of 2026, and at least four states, including Arizona, have already started building legal teams in case a deal isn't reached in time.
Accountability: The Trump administration says drug boat strikes have cut trafficking by up to 98%, but Southern Command won't release the metrics behind that number, citing security reasons. The government has obligated at least $820.9 million through June, and the Government Accountability Office says the Department of War still hasn't set clear measures for judging whether its counternarcotics efforts work.
1 Number
31
That’s the number of states that have opted into the federal Education Freedom Scholarship Program. The program offers a federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for donations to organizations that fund private-school tuition and other education costs. Nineteen states and Washington, D.C., have not joined ahead of the January 2027 deadline.
Court upholds Wisconsin's Act 10, but the fight isn't over
The ruling upheld a state law that has limited collective bargaining for most public employees since 2011, though public safety workers are treated differently under it. The Center Square's Wisconsin reporter Jon Styf breaks down the legal reasoning behind the appeals court's decision and what could happen if the case reaches the Wisconsin Supreme Court next.
Abdul El-Sayed, Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Michigan
El-Sayed narrowly defeated establishment-backed Rep. Haley Stevens in Tuesday's primary, winning by about 16,000 votes out of more than 1.4 million cast. He faces Republican Mike Rogers in November, in a race that could help decide which party controls the Senate.
Should taxpayers statewide help cover a budget gap for one city's school district?
Chicago Public Schools is asking Illinois lawmakers to approve $150 million in state funding it has not yet received to help close a budget gap and avoid nearly 2,000 layoffs. Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he would not support raising taxes to provide the funding. House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch has pledged to lead a push for additional state funding during the fall veto session.
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