Finance
Automatic enrollment could make text reminders more cost efficient, expert says
An opt-out model for court date reminders can help reduce court date no-shows, which have significant time and financial costs for state and local governments.
Cash App parent company to pay $45 million in multistate fraud settlement, state AG says
Virginia is among 46 participating states in the settlement with Block, Inc., the company behind Cash App. The commonwealth will receive about $845,500.
Crypto kiosks were used to scam $56 million from Texans last year. Lawmakers are calling for regulation.
Fraudsters are increasingly using the ATM-like machines for fast access to money that’s difficult to trace.
House passes bill that would ban ride share ‘surveillance pricing’ based on personal data
Surveillance pricing is the practice of using information about a consumer gathered from personal devices or other sources and charging different prices to individuals or groups based on their likely willingness to pay.
House lawmakers advance measure to tax digital advertising platforms
Supporters say the legislation could generate hundreds of millions of dollars in annual revenue for the state.
Bally’s picked to launch Rhode Island’s second online sportsbook
Only two bidders vied to join the state’s in-person sports betting market.
From chaos to coordination: What true payment alignment looks like for cities in 2026
COMMENTARY | Staff currently spend hours reconciling payments from disparate systems. Having operational unity helps departments get on the same page.
Human review, responsibility should be the ‘core feature’ of AI solutions, official says
Keeping human judgement at the center of AI tools, like automated parking enforcement, can help improve the accuracy of citations and dispel community backlash, experts say.
Pennsylvania senators weigh consumer protections from cryptocurrency scams
Lawmakers hope that by regulating ATM-like kiosks, they can protect Pennsylvanians.
Tech giants are spending more than ever to shape California politics. See how much.
Tech giants involved in AI and cryptocurrency spent $39 million last year to influence lawmakers and policy. It's the start of what could be a spending blitz in the upcoming election.
Featured eBooks
North Dakota moves forward with stablecoin as local banks express interest in pilot project
The Bank of North Dakota is on track to introduce stablecoin to local banks this September after state regulators approved the technology’s use in bank-to-bank transactions.
Your personal data might set your grocery prices. States aim to crack down.
Retailers are using surveillance pricing to set individualized amounts customers will pay.
Lawmakers consider bill that would keep private keys private in Rhode Island
Rhode Island lawmakers are again weighing a bill to limit when courts and government agencies can compel disclosure of private keys tied to digital assets, identities and accounts.
Oklahoma lawmakers move to protect ratepayers from effects of data centers
There are at least 30 data centers in Oklahoma that are currently operating, planned or under construction.
Alabama joins early state efforts to launch chip-enabled EBT cards
California and Oklahoma also lead the nation in EBT card modernization efforts intended to stamp out costly benefit fraud and theft.
Indiana lawmakers consider crypto pension investments, ATM scam crackdown
Legislation letting cryptocurrency into public pension investments — and tackling crypto ATM scams — was heard in committee, with votes expected next week.
Report: How governments can balance fraud prevention with benefit accessibility
Research suggests that some Americans can accept some level of benefit fraud to ensure more eligible recipients have access to the assistance they need.
New Jersey lawmakers OK plan to charge data centers for spiking electric costs
Data centers, which are driving higher electric costs in New Jersey, would face new tariffs under a plan legislators advanced Thursday.
California tax revenue getting a boost from AI boom — but for how long?
As talk of a possible AI bubble grows, so does uncertainty around an important source of California tax money.
From legacy to leadership: The new era of government payments
COMMENTARY | Agencies must deliver seamless experiences to keep up with the private sector, and evidence suggests they are doing just that.
