Author Archive

Elaine S. Povich

Management

Some states want to make it easier to cancel subscriptions

Pushback from cable, streaming services has challenged their efforts.

Workforce

Voters will decide minimum wage ballot measures in several states

Measures focused on workers who earn tips and on paid leave have drawn more opposition.

Finance

Ballot questions tackle high property taxes that come with rising home values

Colorado’s new cap on property tax revenue isn’t enough for some activists. Conservatives elsewhere agree.

Management

Cursive makes a comeback—by law—in public schools

‘Keyboarding’ pushed cursive out of favor, but some lawmakers miss the script.

Management

Plagued by teacher shortages, some states turn to fast-track credentialing

Critics worry that the faster credentialing programs could do a disservice to young students.

Digital Government

The Latest ‘Right to Repair’ Law Is the Broadest One Yet

Minnesota is the fourth state to require manufacturers to share parts and repair information with equipment owners and independent shops to more easily fix devices like phones, laptops and appliances.

Management

As Book Bans Gain Favor, Some Say Libraries Could Go

The number of school libraries and librarians has been dwindling for decades.

Management

States Seek to Ease Child Care Crunch

The efforts come as federal pandemic aid is set to end.

Management

States Scramble to Replace Ripped-Off SNAP Benefits

Food stamp cards don’t have the technological or consumer protections of credit and debit cards.

Cybersecurity

States scramble to replace ripped-off SNAP benefits

Skimming devices became a common way fraudsters steal money from electronic benefits transfer cards over the last year, and now states aim to strengthen debit card security and reimburse victims of fraud.

Management

Finally, Something Lawmakers Can (Mostly) Agree On: State Symbols

Bills to designate new symbols, from dinosaurs to pastries, just keep coming.

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.

Management

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."

Management

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.”

Management

State AGs Want Power to Hit Airlines for Consumer Complaints

Thirty-eight attorneys general sent a letter to Congress seeking the change.

Management

Looser Liquor Laws Boosted Restaurants — and Maybe Problem Drinking

“Covid brought about a long-delayed reckoning about how alcohol is regulated and controlled.”

Management

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.

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.