By the end of the year, patrons of 100 library systems around the U.S. are expected to be able to stream thousands of videos for free. Music albums and ebooks too, with no waitlists to worry about.
Government
No College Degree? That’ll Be an Extra $300, Please: Blue Collar Workers Pay More For Car Insurance
Data collected for a new study indicates that some auto insurers charge higher rates to people who don’t have college degrees. In some cases, this means less educated customers get overcharged to the tune of an extra $300 per year.
Congress Nears Deal on Student Loan Rates. Spoiler Alert: They’re Going Up
The Senate hammered out an agreement last week to keep rates on some new student loans from doubling. It’s welcome progress, but the compromise guarantees that rates will go up in the future.
Rewiring the Banker Brain
A culture shift is still needed to reconnect finance with the real economy.
Richard Cordray Approved as Consumer Watchdog Director: Why You Should Care
Yesterday, the Senate voted to proceed with the nomination of Richard Cordray to direct the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), then approved him later in the day on a 66-34 vote. The move has the potential to benefit everybody with a mortgage, credit card or private student loan. In other words: you.
Regulatory Rumpus: The Battle Over Reinstating Glass-Steagall
Among the small number of Americans who are passionate about financial regulation, no topic raises hackles more than the so-called Glass-Steagall act. It is “so-called” because when you hear the term “Glass-Steagall” the speaker is most certainly referring to four provisions from the Banking Act of 1933, which was sponsored by Senators
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Angered By Zimmerman Verdict, Some Call for a Boycott of Florida Businesses
The acquittal of George Zimmerman in the 2012 killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin kicked off protests around the country, as well as calls for a boycott of Florida—where the trial took place, and where a controversial “Stand Your Ground” law still exists.
After Sex Scandal, Eliot Spitzer Makes a Comeback
Disgraced by ties to a prostitution ring, the former governor announced his candidacy for New York City comptroller angling to challenge Wall Street once again.
The ZIP Code Turns 50
It took an ad campaign to sell Americans on its value
Wall Street Cop Goes After Corzine — and Derivatives Loopholes
Gary Gensler, the chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, has been the toughest cop in D.C. since the financial crisis, and the only person really willing to take on Wall Street. Although his term may soon be coming to an end, the CFTC yesterday showed it still has plenty of bite left by suing Jon Corzine, the former New …
Wendy Davis’s Filibustering Mizuno Sneakers Getting Great Reviews on Amazon
“Excellent protection for the foot and the womb!” one reviewer says of the Mizuno sneakers worn this week by Texas State Senator Wendy Davis during her historic filibuster of an abortion bill.
State vs. State: Hot Summer for States Stealing Businesses, Workers, Tax Revenues
So much for the United States. In skirmishes around the country, states are battling it out with their neighbors—and sometimes, states in other time zones—over sales tax revenues, marijuana taxes, weapons manufacturing businesses, and the pool of local labor.
Here are a few of the ongoing state-vs.-state showdowns:
The Dakotas …