The Pew Charitable Trusts - State and Consumer Initiatives about

Facing Off Over Funerals

A Federal judge last month ordered the Pennsylvania state board of funeral directors to rewrite their “outmoded” regulations that limited the numbers of funeral homes any one director could own, restricted the naming of homes, and prohibited funeral homes from serving food. Industry experts say the ruling could have broad implications for other states.

Insurance Changes Explained: Why State Officials Are Nervous About New Federal Rules

Traditionally, the federal government has left most regulation of insurance to the states. But passage of the Dodd-Frank law two years ago inserted the federal government deeper into the mix.

Citing Risks of Cancer, States Seek to Limit Teen Tanning

HEALTH BEAT: Concerned by research linking indoor tanning to skin cancer, legislators are trying to restrict teens use of tanning beds.

Wyoming Governor to Decide on Cap for ATM Fees

Wyoming Governor Matt Mead must decide whether his state will remain the only one in the nation to impose a cap on ATM fees, the Casper Star Tribune reports. Mead is deciding whether to sign or veto legislation that would

Car Insurance by the Mile Debuts in California

A six-month old policy in California allows auto insurers to base premiums on the number of miles customers drive, rather than on who owns the car or on rough estimates of how the car is used. Insurance officials say it is a sign of a growing national movement toward rethinking the way that carriers set their rates.

Republicans Reward Business With Lawsuit Limitations

Legislators in at least six states - mainly in the GOP South - have approved significant restrictions on lawsuit filers, seeking to reduce the number of costly payouts that businesses and doctors consider unfair.

Is Telephone Regulation Obsolete?

Phone companies think now is the time to end regulation of the dwindling number of traditional landline phones still in use. Critics say doing that would lead to higher rates, especially for seniors and those who live in rural areas where cell phone service can be erratic.

Nebraska Set to Extend Bars' Closing Time

TODAY'S TAKE: Under a bill awaiting the governor's signature, Nebraska is set to join most other states by allowing bars to stay open until 2 a.m., an hour later than is now the case. Only a small number of states, including Delaware, New Hampshire, North Dakota and Utah, retain a 1 a.m. closing time. Nevada, on the other hand, allows its residents to drink whenever they want.

States Spar With Credit Rating Agencies

Borrowing costs are higher for many state and local governments because of tough bond rating standards at the nation's three credit rating agencies, officials say. State treasurers are leading an effort to get the system changed.

Voters May Decide Fate of Payday Loans

In Ohio and Arizona, the payday loan industry is trying a different strategy in its battle to survive.

Fed Plan Would Shrink States' Powers

Some state officials see the federal government's plan to overhaul the country's financial regulatory systems as an intrusion on their powers to enforce state laws, and state regulators warn that it could carry grave consequences for consumers.

States Lose in Bank Squabble With Feds

State regulators are locked out of a slice of the home mortgage-lending industry, thanks to a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision. But the turf war between states and the federal government over banking regulations isn't over.

States step in to fill feds' role (continued)

No Teaser

State Support For Ending Cuban Embargo Growing

What do Illinois Gov. George Ryan and Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura have in common with Arkansas chicken producers, Texas rice growers and Utah medical companies? They'd all like to see an end to the 40-year-old U.S. embargo on trade with Cuba.