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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.

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
An aerial view of the water treatment plant in Lake Mary, Fla.
Infrastructure
What's Behind the Push Toward Privatizing Water Systems?
About a dozen states have passed legislation to promote sales of water and wastewater utilities. Although private money can fund upgrades, environmentalists say drinking water shouldn't be a for-profit enterprise.
Feb. 5, 2024
 · Zina Hutton
an American flag hanging outside of a home in Joplin, Mo.
Policy
Five Policy Issues to Watch in 2024
What you need to get up to speed in terms of how state lawmakers are addressing education, energy, health, housing and even international affairs.
Feb. 5, 2024
 · Jared Brey, Alan Greenblatt, Zina Hutton, Carl Smith
A father and his children collect donated food from a park in Pennsylvania.
Policy
Why Some States Are Rejecting Federal Money for Hungry Kids
Fifteen states are not participating in a program to provide meals to school-age children over the summer, due to administrative costs or ideological opposition.
Jan. 25, 2024
 · Zina Hutton
downtown Los Angeles skyscrapers
Finance
The Financial Pain for Cities from Struggling Downtowns
Nearly four years after the start of the pandemic, downtowns are still short of office workers and foot traffic. That's contributing to significant budget problems in some cities.
Jan. 19, 2024
 · Zina Hutton
Protestors,Call,To,Tax,The,Rich,And,Impeach,Governor,Andrew
Finance
Most State Tax Systems Are Highly Regressive, Report Finds
In a large majority of states, low- and middle-income residents pay an effective tax rate that's higher than top earners, a think tank finds.
Jan. 11, 2024
 · Zina Hutton
The Utah state capitol.
Politics
The Biggest Issues to Watch in 2024
State lawmakers will be rushing to address crime, AI, housing and a host of other issues – including growing budget gaps – ahead of elections this year.
Jan. 10, 2024
 · Jared Brey, Alan Greenblatt, Zina Hutton, Carl Smith
St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter gestures during his annual budget address.
Housing and Urban Issues
Guaranteed-Income Programs Pick Up Steam
Dozens of cities are running pilot programs to show that direct cash assistance is an effective way to address poverty. Critics warn that offering money without work requirements or any strings attached will backfire.
Jan. 2, 2024
 · Zina Hutton
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