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Were last year's state payments taxable? Taxpayers wait while the IRS decides.

Feb 9, 2023
It's will depend on why the payments were made and who got them.
The Internal Revenue Service building in Washington. Even though tax season is upon us, the agency hasn't yet ruled whether special payments from states will be exempt.
Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

With money to spare, some states look to tax breaks to ease inflation

May 10, 2022
How and when the breaks are applied will vary from state to state.
States could use budget surpluses to help people with everyday costs.
Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

What are states looking at as they start planning to lift COVID-19 lockdowns?

Apr 15, 2020
Increased ability to do testing, adequate hospital capacity and new safety measures for businesses are among the measures governors are reviewing.
"This can’t be a permanent state, and I want you to know it’s not. It will not be a permanent state," California Gov. Gavin Newsom said of the shutdowns.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Some states hike overtime salary threshold higher than Feds

Jan 1, 2020
A new federal salary level for low-paid managers to be eligible for overtime pay kicks in Jan. 1.
Employees work overnight in a factory.
Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images

What happens to abandoned cars

Jul 19, 2017
You've always wondered: Can we use them to pay for better roads?
A tow-truck pulls a vehicle away from a non-parking zone.
Sajjad Hussain/AFP/Getty Images

States recover, but can't go on a spending spree

Feb 19, 2016
The states' economies are improving, but unevenly.
Pumpjacks near Watford City, North Dakota. States like North Dakota and Alaska that boomed when oil prices were high are now hurting.
Andrew Burton/Getty Images

Some states withdraw welcome mat for Syrian refugees

Nov 16, 2015
Several governors said they don't want Syrian refugees settled in their states.

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Google knows what's under the Christmas tree

Dec 24, 2014
New York Times mines search-engine data to see what gifts people are searching for, city by city.

The current state of state finances

Jan 16, 2014
Most states are doing good when it comes to their balance sheet, even capturing that elusive word -- surplus!

Want better government? Use cost-benefit analysis

Jul 29, 2013
Non-profits are working with state governments to increase use of cost-benefit analyses to learn whether programs and policies are worth it.