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For poor residents who can’t afford the fees or don’t trust banks, not having a bank account can actually cost them money. The pandemic has only exacerbated the challenges for unbanked families.
Washington has proposed the new tax and fee increases to help expand, replace and maintain transportation routes across the state. With the proposed revenue boost, the state could raise $15.3 billion.
A congressional hearing last month took up the sticky issue of when and how to hold companies like Facebook, Google and Twitter accountable for misinformation. Lawmakers are now faced with a regulatory maze.
The American Rescue Plan includes significant federal dollars that can support library programs and services that play a larger role in recovery than is generally understood.
Denise Lieberman, of the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, protesting the bill that was passed by the state Legislature last month that will impose strict voting regulations, including photo ID requirements. (NPR — April 9, 2021)
The number of acceptance emails that the University of Kentucky accidentally sent out to high school seniors for a program that usually only accepts about 36 students per year. Some of the students who received the acceptance letter claimed to have never applied to, visited or went onto the website for the university. The university apologized for the mistake and said it was due to a “technical issue.”
250 Caltrans toll-booth workers will be replaced by automated systems at the end of July. No workers have yet been laid-off and the department is working to connect the displaced workers with new opportunities.
The state Department of Commerce will allocate funds to support existing manufacturers’ projects that are innovative, bolster a product’s supply chain or target new markets, in an effort to diversify the state’s economy.
While the Miami-Dade region has been ranked one of the most-diverse tech hubs in the nation, local officials want to continue striving for diversity in the area’s tech and venture ecosystem.
The use of robots from companies like Starship Technologies for last-mile deliveries skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and legislators would do well to make them easier to deploy on city sidewalks.
Across the country, houses of worship are shuttering by the thousands. Municipalities have a role in finding new uses for abandoned buildings that have long anchored communities and neighborhoods.
California’s history of gun restrictions started in 1967, when 30 members of the Black Panther Party marched into the Capitol with loaded handguns, shotguns and rifles. Today, gun control has turned into a legal battle.
Agrivoltaics — putting solar panels on farmland — lead to astonishing productivity gains and improved energy efficiency. Except when they don’t.
Kolina Koltai, a vaccine misinformation researcher at the University of Washington, regarding the large proportion of Americans who are not planning on getting the coronavirus vaccine and the many reasons why they are declining it. Experts are worried that there will be too many people who don’t get the vaccine for the nation to reach herd immunity. (NPR — April 7, 2021)
The amount of money that was hidden somewhere in Maine by a couple to celebrate the state’s 200 years of statehood. The money is the reward to an elaborate treasure hunt that includes solving a secret, a riddle and a puzzle, and encourages residents to explore the state.
Rick Caruso, a Los Angeles developer, is now accepting Bitcoin for retail and apartment rent payments at several of his properties. Caruso is also developing a shoppers reward program that uses blockchain technology.
A variety of public-private partnerships will fund broadband expansion to East Cleveland, one of the least connected cities in the nation. Households will get 4G service with 50 mbps download speeds for just $15 a month.
A bill that would have required voter identification when applying for mail-in ballots has been revised to just online applications. The bill’s author is adamant about the role ID would have in tightening election security.
President George Washington was the first to issue proclamations or executive orders. Their use peaked under Franklin Roosevelt, but they have been used fewer times in recent presidencies. Will Biden reverse the trend?
Maryland is leading the way, but its new levy faces plenty of pushback in the courts and Congress. States that want to follow suit should act quickly to craft viable uniform model legislation.
Idaho state Rep. Sage Dixon, regarding the state’s decision to approve legislation that would give lawmakers veto power over the federal government and federal court decisions. Several lawmakers predict court challenges to the legislation if it becomes law. (Associated Press — April 6, 2021)
The number of Americans in 36 states who signed up for federally sponsored health-care plans between Feb. 15 and March 31 under the Special Enrollment Period that was reopened by the Biden administration.
Legislation modeled after California’s law, which was enacted last year and requires disclosures from companies that would collect and sell user data, has received bipartisan support from state legislators.
At least 60 law enforcement agencies across the state likely used the controversial facial recognition app that mines photos from social media users without their consent. In total, the app was used up to 5,000 times.
Though the idea of vaccine passports has attracted criticism, the state of New York has taken the plunge as the first state in the U.S. to create one, saying it will help facilitate economic activity. Here’s how it works.
The economy has proven to be more resilient than could have been imagined a year ago. Making future growth more equitable is a priority without obvious solutions.
Tennessee, in the state’s request that the U.S. Supreme Court reinstate a 48-hour waiting period for abortions. (Reuters — April 5, 2021)
The number of new coronavirus cases reported in Michigan on Sunday and Monday, making it one of the worst affected states for new cases and hospitalizations.
State Sen. Pat Spearman’s proposed legislation would create an Emerging Technologies Task Force that would focus on bringing new blockchain technology, robotics and artificial intelligence businesses to the state.
The California city has proposed a ban on paid travel for city employees to states with restrictive voting laws. The city already prohibits paid travel to states that restrict LGBTQ rights and abortion access.
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