"The Intercept publishes a previously-unseen set of Snowden docs detailing more than $500,000,000 worth of secret payments by the Japanese government to the NSA, in exchange for access to the NSA's specialized surveillance capabilities, in likely contravention of Japanese privacy law (the secrecy of the program means that the legality was never debated, so no one is sure whether it broke the law)." Continue reading →
"The shift also comes after a political campaign that saw party orthodoxy upended on both sides of the aisle." Continue reading →
"In 2014, the Transportation Safety Administration said more than 500 baggage screeners had been fired since it was established in 2001, according to the Wall Street Journal. A CNN analysis found more than 30,000 property loss claims were filed by passengers with the TSA between 2010–14, most claiming valuables were taken from checked baggage. Under an international treaty known as the Montreal Convention (to which the US is a signatory), an airline’s liability for loss or damage to a passenger’s luggage is limited to the equivalent of about $1,360." Continue reading →
"The Guardian has revealed that the Trump administration is contemplating a laptop ban on US-bound passengers traveling from UK airports. If imposed, this new ban would mean that travelers headed to the US from the United Kingdom would be unable to bring laptops and possibly other electronic devices into the cabin as part of their carry-on luggage. However, these bans have been met with widespread criticism by professionals within the technology sector." Continue reading →
"According to the board, Järlström's research into red light cameras and their effectiveness amounts to practicing engineering without a license. No, really. Järlström is now suing the state board over that fine, arguing that it's unconstitutional to prevent someone from doing math without the government's permission." Continue reading →
"The Treasury Inspector General released a report this month that reveals that the IRS deliberately targeted people they knew were not engaged in structuring for millions of dollars' worth of seizures, such that 91% of seizures were made in error, taking money away from people engaged in lawful activity. These seizures were 'quick hits' that allowed IRS enforcers the rack up impressive resolution stats because the victims were happy to negotiate a settlement, as opposed to actual criminal acts. The result: for the IRS, depositing $10,000 or more was an inherently suspicious act; but so was depositing $10,000 or less." Continue reading →
DENVER, Colo. (April 27, 2017) – On Monday, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper signed a bill into law that will help facilitate healthcare freedom in the state. A bipartisan coalition of two representatives and two senators sponsored House Bill 1115 (HB1115). The legislation specifies that direct primary care agreements (sometimes called medical retainer agreements) do not…
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Apr. 27, 2017) – Yesterday, a second Missouri House committee passed a bill to legalize medical marijuana for qualifying patients in the state, setting the foundation to nullify federal prohibition in practice. Introduced by Rep. Jim Neely (R-Cameron), along with eight bipartisan co-sponsors, House Bill 437 (HB437) would expand existing laws currently…
ALBANY, N.Y. (April 27, 2017) – A bill introduced in the New York Senate would put strict limitations on the use of automated license plate reader systems (ALPRs) by the state. Passage into law would also place significant roadblocks in the way of a federal program using states to help track the location of millions of…
RICHMOND, Va. (April 27, 2017) – Yesterday, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe signed legislation into law that will help facilitate healthcare freedom in the state. Del. R. Steven Landes (R-Verona) sponsored House Bill 2053 (HB2053). Sen. William Stanley Jr. (R-Moneta) sponsored the Senate companion bill (SB800). The legislation specifies that direct primary care agreements (sometimes called…