ATM networks in most regions are owned or controlled by a handful of large banks, which, not surprisingly, tend to adopt network rules and rate structures that boost their own profits and undermine smaller competitors. Iowa was, for many years, an exception. In the 1970s, Iowa lawmakers had the foresight to enact a set of rules to ensure that the ATM infrastructure would be equitably shared among the state’s financial institutions. … Read More
Connecticut was one of two states that prohibited ATM surcharges. The state’s ban was the result of an administrative order issued by Banking Commissioner John Burke in 1995. His interpretation was challenged in 1997 by two national banks, First Union and FleetBoston Financial. In December 1999, the Connecticut Supreme Court overturned Burke’s order as an invalid interpretation of existing state law.… Read More
Congress enacted the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) in 1977 after years of grassroots pressure to encourage banks to help meet the credit needs of the communities in which they are chartered. Previously, individuals and businesses in low-income areas were often denied credit because of the perceived high-risk nature of such loans.… Read More
This act established the Crocus Fund in response to capital flight from Manitoba. Its primary objective is to retain Manitoba capital in Manitoba and use that capital to create jobs in small Manitoba businesses. Manitoba’s statute is the most explicit out of all the provinces in its desire to encourage a locally owned economy. It requires that the Crocus Fund promote capital retention and a stable economy, worker ownership and employment, and continued resident ownership of firms in Manitoba.… Read More
In the early 1970’s, several cities adopted”one-percent-for-the-arts” policies. One percent of public capital spending had to be spent for art that enriched public spaces. Today more than 100 communities have adopted such provisions. Some- like Fort Lauderdale, Dallas, San Francisco and San Jose – have increased the requirements to 1.5 or 2%. The Houston/Harris County Cultural … Read More
In 1997, Vermont adopted a new system of funding education under Vermont Act 60 – The Equal Educational Opportunity Act (EEOA). Unlike most states, Vermont choose to provide additional funding to cover the higher costs of the state’s smallest school districts. An extra $1 million per year was allocated to districts with fewer than 100 students.… Read More
In 2000, the Florida legislature passed the statute shown below, that recognizes the benefits of small schools and prohibits, as of July 2003, the construction of large schools. As of that date, new elementary schools will be limited to 500 students, middle schools to 700, and high schools to 900.… Read More
Canada’s universal health care program is much acclaimed and a product of state innovation. If Saskatchewan had not had the authority to devise its government-funded universal insurance scheme in the 1940s (a plan quickly copied by other provinces), Canada would most likely not have the single-payer plan that is so popular today.… Read More
The state of Vermont has one of the lowest proportions of uninsured people in the country, and virtually all the state’s children are covered. This is due to a number of programs promoted and backed by Howard Dean, governor of Vermont from 1991 to 2003.
Vermont’s Office of Vermont Health Access (OVHA) administers Medicaid and the state’s other Health Access/Health Insurance programs.