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Zina Hutton

Staff Writer

Zina Hutton is a staff writer for Governing. She has been a freelance culture writer, researcher and copywriter since 2015. In 2021, she started writing for Teen Vogue. Now, at Governing, Zina focuses on state and local finance, workforce, education and management and administration news.

California Governor Gavin Newsom attends an event with fellow governors in the East Room of the White House on Feb. 23, 2024
Finance
From Food to Climate: Programs Threatened by California's Shortfall
With California facing a serious budget crunch, lawmakers may have to curb their policy ambitions in a variety of areas. Ahead of April tax collections, it's not yet clear if proposed cuts will be deep enough.
April 4, 2024
 · Zina Hutton
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Finance
Where Do States Stash the Cash in Their Rainy-Day Funds?
States are sitting on near-record surpluses. How and where exactly do they store their savings?
Spring 2024
 · Zina Hutton
Teacher instructing kids in North Dakota
Politics
Feeling Pressure from Politicians and Parents, More Superintendents Quit
Teachers aren't the only educators walking off the job. At least 30 percent of districts in every state have seen superintendent turnover in the past five years.
Spring 2024
 · Zina Hutton
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Future in Context
Who Should Regulate Kids’ Access to Social Media?
Complete bans, age verification and new online tools are in play as government, the tech industry and parents contend for influence and control in determining how to keep minors safe online.
March 25, 2024
 · Paul W. Taylor, Ashley Silver, Zoe Manzanetti, Zina Hutton
Patricia Rodriguez at a Minneapolis job fair
Finance
Despite Low Unemployment, States Are Still Short of Funding Benefits
States have devoted billions of dollars to replenishing their unemployment trust funds, but many are still short. Fewer states are now prepared for a recession than before the pandemic.
March 20, 2024
 · Zina Hutton
Boise real estate market remains hot in 2024
Finance
Some States Are Looking to Abolish Property Taxes Entirely
As property values surge and tax bills go up, some state lawmakers are hoping to end the property tax. Doing so would not be cheap or easy.
March 12, 2024
 · Zina Hutton
US-NEWS-FLA-CHILDREN-SOCIALMEDIA-DMT
Policy
States Eye Social Media Bans Despite Legal Roadblocks
State efforts to restrict kids' social media use have been held up in court. But lawmakers remain concerned about apps and the Internet contributing to mental health challenges.
March 11, 2024
 · Zina Hutton
Fast food workers protest at the closed Popeyes Louisiana Chicken on International Boulevard near 70th Avenue in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 18, 2023.
Workforce
What's Driving the Changes to Child Labor Laws?
A number of red states are moving to weaken child labor laws. Sponsors say they just want kids to be able to work, but critics complain companies are already exploiting vulnerable populations.
March 1, 2024
 · Zina Hutton
A Dallas mom speaks with her 7th grader during a school choice event in Dallas
Policy
ALEC and Other Conservative Groups Push School Choice
A conservative coalition is hoping to make private school choice universally available in half the states by the end of 2025.
Feb. 14, 2024
 · Zina Hutton
a building sign that says "general public loans money in 1 day"
Finance
The Biggest Finance and Management Issues to Watch in 2024
State budgets are on track for modest growth even as federal fiscal recovery funds wane, pension underfunding persists and AI promises (or threatens) to change everything.
Feb. 8, 2024
 · Jared Brey, Zina Hutton, Carl Smith
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