Yearly Archives: 2018

LAPD takes another step toward deploying drones domestically

"Advocates say camera-mounted drones could help protect officers and others by collecting crucial information during high-risk situations or searches without jeopardizing their safety. For many privacy advocates and police critics, however, the drones stir Orwellian visions of unwarranted surveillance or fears of militarized, weapon-toting devices patrolling the skies. LAPD brass, along with police commissioners, tried to ease those concerns last fall by promising careful restrictions on when the drones would be used, and strong oversight of the pilot program."

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Mississippi Bill Would End State Cooperation with Obamacare; Foundation to Nullify it in Practice

JACKSON, Miss. (Jan. 10, 2018) – A bill introduced in the Mississippi Senate would end all state support and cooperation with the implementation and administration of Obamacare. Passage of this bill would set the stage to bring down the federal health care act in Mississippi. Sen. Michael Watson (R- Pascagoula) introduced Senate Bill 2175 (SB2175) on…

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New York ‘Right to Try’ Act Would Reject Some FDA Restrictions on Terminal Patients

ALBANY, N.Y. (Jan. 9, 2017) – Two bills introduced in the New York state legislature would nullify in practice some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules that deny access to experimental treatments by terminally ill patients. Asm. Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan) introduced Assembly Bill 3932 (A3932) with 10 co-sponsors while Sens. Kemp Hannon (R-Nassau) and Sen.…

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Podcast: How State and Local Action Can Impact Foreign Policy

This week, I appeared on the Foreign Policy Focus podcast to talk about state action and foreign policy. Now, you might be asking, how can actions at the state level impact U.S. foreign policy? Well, as I explained to FPF host Kyle Anzalone, quite significantly. Most people assume nullification can only be effective in limiting…

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Mississippi Bill Would End Common Core in the State

JACKSON, Miss. (Jan. 10, 2018) – A bill introduced in the Mississippi Senate would end Common Core in schools throughout the state. Sens. Angela Burks Hill (R-Picayune) and Michael Watson (R-Pascagoula) introduced Senate Bill 2053 (SB2053) on Jan. 3. The legislation would void Common Core standards and create a framework to establish state standards to…

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Deutsche Bank, Trump’s biggest creditor, awarded conviction reprieve

"The Labor Department has granted Deutsche Bank a waiver from punishment allowing it to continue to manage retirement accounts for another three years, according to an announcement in the Federal Registry last month. Four other banks convicted in the case were also granted waivers. Deutsche Bank has been a big lender to Trump over the years, and the president still has loans with the bank that were originally worth $300 million."

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Parliament reports 24,000 attempts to access porn sites since election

"The figure of 24,473 attempts represents about 160 requests per day on average from computers and other devices connected to the parliamentary network – which is used by MPs, peers and staff – between June and October last year. Parliamentary authorities say the majority of attempts are not deliberate."

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Teacher arrested for bringing up admin salary at school board meeting

"The video then shows the woman on the floor in the hallway, where she is being handcuffed behind the back by the marshal. The marshal asks the teacher to 'stop resisting' and escorts her from the building. Outside the building, the marshal tells her she is being arrested for refusing to leave and resisting arrest. Fontana, the board president, told NBC News that Hargrave had violated meeting policies, by taking up extra time and asking questions during a public comment section."

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California Senate Committee Passes Bill Banning Federal Immigration Agents from Schools and State Buildings; Enforcement Questions Remain

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Jan. 10, 2018) – Yesterday, a California Senate committee passed a bill that would ban federal immigration officers from schools and state buildings unless they have a warrant. But questions remain on how the state could enforce it should it become law. Introduced by Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) and 16 co-sponsors,…

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