Issues

Appeals court upholds Fed’s 21-cent cap on retailer ‘swipe fees’

"A Federal Reserve rule allowing banks to charge retailers 21 cents to process debit-card transactions has been upheld by a federal appeals panel, a blow to big merchants such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Target Corp. The dispute stems from a Dodd-Frank provision that required the Fed to set the so-called interchange fees, known colloquially as swipe fees, at a level reflecting the actual processing costs. The Fed's staff recommended cutting the fee from 44 cents per transaction on average to just 12 cents. But after heated protests from the financial industry, the Fed in June 2011 set a cap of 21 cents per transaction." Continue reading →

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Connecticut Legislature Taking Closer Look at Common Core

On February 11, 2014, The Connecticut House of Representatives Education Committee introduced HB 5078, “An Act Imposing a Moratorium on the Implementation of the Common Core State Standards.” On March 12, a public hearing on the issue packed a House committee chamber. The bill is co-sponsored by 18 Republican members of the House and seeks…

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Jeff Berwick: Bitcoin Is Equivalent to the Internet in 1993

"Perception of Bitcoin now is like of the Internet in 1993. Mt Gox, Tesla and the free market. US government pressuring foreign governments making it harder to get foreign citizenship. Staggering fraud in the banking sector and banker suicides. Crazy Keynsian thinking. Russia and China more free market than the West. Disaster brewing for the West. The move into precious metals stocks." Continue reading →

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New Idaho law effectively nullifies future federal gun control

Yesterday, Idaho Gov. Butch Otter signed a bill which would effectively nullify future federal gun laws by prohibiting state enforcement of any future federal act relating to personal firearms, a firearm accessories or ammunition.

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Missouri Action Alert: Support HJR62 to push back against Obamacare

HJR62 was introduced by Rep. Kurt Bahr (R-102) as an amendment to the Missouri state constitution to help protect the state’s health freedom from Obamacare. (read it here) If passed, this amendment would ultimately be decided by Missouri voters. It was referred to the Health Care Policy Committee. STATUS: HJR62 was PASSED through the Health…

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Michigan House Considering Two Anti-NSA Resolutions

The Michigan state house is considering two resolutions that, if passed, would serve as a stern rebuke and important first step against the NSA’s illegal spying program. While legally non-binding, passage could blaze the trail for stronger legislative action being taken against NSA at a later date. HR0205 and HR0216 were both introduced last year…

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