Author Archive
Elaine S. Povich
Management
Finally, Something Lawmakers Can (Mostly) Agree On: State Symbols
Bills to designate new symbols, from dinosaurs to pastries, just keep coming.
- By Elaine S. Povich, Stateline
Infrastructure
Trash Troubles: The Pandemic Started It; Inflation Keeps It Going
Municipalities around the nation have been plagued by inflation, hiring difficulties and trash loads that are rising in part because of the lingering work-at-home trend.
- By Elaine S. Povich, Stateline
Health & Human Services
States Struggle to Curb Fake Emotional Support Animals
"This is really being exploited by people who want pets in housing that doesn’t allow pets."
- By Elaine S. Povich, Stateline
Health & Human Services
States Look to Help Tenants Pay for Air Conditioning as Climate Warms
“We don’t want anybody to pass away because of something we can fix; that’s just not right.”
- By Elaine S. Povich, Stateline
Management
State AGs Want Power to Hit Airlines for Consumer Complaints
Thirty-eight attorneys general sent a letter to Congress seeking the change.
- By Elaine S. Povich, Stateline
Health & Human Services
Looser Liquor Laws Boosted Restaurants — and Maybe Problem Drinking
“Covid brought about a long-delayed reckoning about how alcohol is regulated and controlled.”
- By Elaine S. Povich, Stateline
Health & Human Services
As Prices Rise, the Push to End Diaper Taxes Grows
Thirty-one states charge sales tax on diapers, but a movement to eliminate those taxes is gaining ground because of record-high inflation and booming state budgets.
- By Elaine S. Povich, Stateline
Management
Without Obergefell, Most States Would Have Same-Sex Marriage Bans
The Roe v. Wade ruling has lawmakers returning to an issue many thought was settled law.
- By Elaine S. Povich, Stateline
Management
Pay Transparency Laws Raise Women’s Salaries (and Slightly Lower Men’s)
Multistate companies are finding ways to circumvent the laws.
- By Elaine S. Povich, Stateline
Finance
Covid Woes Prompt More States to Require Financial Literacy Classes
The pandemic has underscored how few Americans are prepared for financial emergencies.
- By Elaine S. Povich, Stateline
Management
More States Help Workers Save for Retirement
Employees are much more likely to save if they have automatic payroll deductions at work.
- By Elaine S. Povich, Stateline
Public Safety
Rideshare Riders Could Get Stuck with Medical Bills in a Crash
In some states, Uber and Lyft don’t have to pay if passengers are hurt in a hit-and-run accident.
- By Elaine S. Povich
Tech & Data
It Turns Out State Lawmakers Hate Auto-Renew Contracts, Too
Automatic renewal plans have prompted class action lawsuits.
- By Elaine S. Povich, Stateline
Public Safety
Regulators Scrutinize Buy Now, Pay Later Plans
Consumer advocates worry about buyers overextending themselves.
- By Elaine S. Povich, Stateline
Finance
Cities and States Find New Ways to Tax Streaming Services
Governments are desperate to recoup lost revenue as people cut the cable cord.
- By Elaine S. Povich, Stateline
Tech & Data
No Puppy for Christmas: Online Pet Scams Proliferate
Pet fraud comprises a third of online shopping scam complaints.
- By Elaine S. Povich, Stateline
Tech & Data
Robocallers Try New Tactics to Evade Crackdowns
Scofflaws innovate after every government attempt to block scam calls.
- By Elaine S. Povich, Stateline
Management
Homebuyer ‘Love Letters’ May Stir Bias. (But They Often Work.)
It’s a financial transaction, not a seduction.
- By Elaine S. Povich, Stateline
Public Safety
States Use Hurricane Ida Damage to Push Infrastructure Bill
Governors of both parties are lobbying Congress to ensure resilience measures are included.
- By Elaine S. Povich, Stateline
Infrastructure
Out-of-State Toll Scofflaws Vex State Authorities
States such as New Jersey are losing millions when out-of-state drivers fail to pay their tolls, fines and fees. Some states are looking at reciprocal agreements.
- By Elaine S. Povich, Stateline