Robbie Sequeira

Robbie Sequeira

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Robbie Sequeira is a staff writer covering housing and social services for Stateline. He's covered a variety of issues, from decisions in state and local government to the everyday lives of residents in Minnesota, Iowa, Georgia and his hometown, The Bronx. In his six-year career, Sequeira has earned awards for reporting on labor issues, homelessness and politics. A massive Yankee and reality TV show fan, Robbie is always eager to connect with those who have a tip or a story to share.

Schools, libraries sound alarm over potential changes to federal internet program
Stateline

Schools, libraries sound alarm over potential changes to federal internet program

Sep 10, 2026
Robbie Sequeira
A multi-billion-dollar federal program that helps schools and libraries afford broadband internet is under review by the Trump administration, leaving education officials and advocates worried about potentially significant cuts. The E-Rate program provides about $3 billion annually for internet access...
The largest US school districts restrict student AI use
Stateline

The largest US school districts restrict student AI use

Sep 08, 2026
Robbie Sequeira
The country’s two largest school districts — New York City and Los Angeles — banned most student use of artificial intelligence in classrooms for this school year as anxiety over AI’s effect on learning intensifies. The Los Angeles Unified School...
More states are putting panic alarms in schools
Stateline

More states are putting panic alarms in schools

Sep 02, 2026
Robbie Sequeira
Three states this year have enacted laws that require or allow schools to use mobile, wearable, wireless or silent panic alarms to quickly summon emergency responders. The new laws in Illinois, Virginia and West Virginia bring the number of states...
Despite record low in veteran homelessness, half the states saw increases
Stateline

Despite record low in veteran homelessness, half the states saw increases

Aug 20, 2026
Robbie Sequeira
Veteran homelessness dipped slightly from 2024 to 2025, according to the latest results from the January 2025 point-in-time count. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development counted 32,495 veterans experiencing homelessness, 387, or 1.2%, fewer than the previous year...
Cities turn to AI to speed housing permitting
Stateline

Cities turn to AI to speed housing permitting

Aug 20, 2026
Robbie Sequeira
New housing projects can sometimes stall out as a developer applies to city or county planning boards and goes through cycles of inspections, reviews and approvals. Now, cities are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to address one of the most...
Schools spend billions on AI, but struggle to figure out what’s worth it
Stateline

Schools spend billions on AI, but struggle to figure out what’s worth buying

Aug 12, 2026
Robbie Sequeira
As a new school year begins, some classrooms may use artificial intelligence tools to flag a student struggling with classwork, track attendance or try to raise reading scores. But as school districts make decisions on which tools are safe and...
Education Department hands more states flexibility with federal dollars
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Education Department hands more states flexibility with federal dollars

Aug 07, 2026
Robbie Sequeira
The Trump administration is increasing its efforts to turn more control of federal education money to the states as it continues working to dismantle the Education Department. Six states have received waiver s allowing them to consolidate more than $109...
States begin banning ‘surveillance pricing’ that uses personal data to charge more
Stateline

States begin banning ‘surveillance pricing’ that uses personal data to charge more

Aug 04, 2026
Robbie Sequeira
Three states this year became the first ones to enact laws restricting companies from using personal data such as browsing history or shopping habits to set individualized prices on goods and services, a practice known as surveillance pricing. The laws...
Most states temporarily house foster children in hotels, offices
Stateline

Most states temporarily house foster children in hotels, offices

Jul 30, 2026
Robbie Sequeira
More than 9,000 children in foster care had to temporarily stay in hotels, office buildings and other potentially unsafe settings when states couldn’t find suitable places for them, according to a new federal audit. The inspector general’s office of the...
Landmark federal housing law tries new ways to boost local building
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Landmark federal housing law tries new ways to boost local building

Jul 24, 2026
Robbie Sequeira
Championed as one of the most consequential and bipartisan federal housing laws in decades, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act enacted this month makes significant changes across federal housing policy. Included in the 139-page law are a host of...
States move to limit classroom screen time
Stateline

States move to limit classroom screen time

Jul 23, 2026
Robbie Sequeira
After school cellphone bans passed many statehouses with bipartisan support in recent legislative sessions, state lawmakers are turning to legislation governing how long students should spend looking at screens. This year, four states passed laws restricting or regulating screen time...
Trump administration targets state AI laws over ideology
Stateline

Trump administration targets state AI laws over ideology

Jul 10, 2026
Robbie Sequeira
The Trump administration is continuing its pushback against state artificial intelligence laws that it views as ideologically biased, proposing a new Federal Trade Commission policy. The proposed policy statement, which is open for public comment through July 31, would affect...