California Committee Passes Bill Taking on Federal Militarization of Local Police

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (April 26, 2018) – On Tuesday, a second California Assembly committee passed a bill that would require law enforcement agencies in the state to get local governmental approval before acquiring or using military equipment. Passage of the bill into law would set the stage to limit federal programs that militarize local police. Asm. Todd…

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To the Governor: Alaska Passes Right to Try Act to Reject Some FDA Restrictions on Terminal Patients

JUNEAU, Alaska (April 26, 2018) – Yesterday, the Alaska Senate unanimously gave final approval to a bill that would set the foundation to nullify in practice some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules that deny access to experimental treatments by terminally ill patients. Rep. Jason Grenn (I-Anchorage) introduced House Bill 43 (HB43) last year. The…

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Podcast: The Power to Make War

Under the Constitution, the president does not have the authority to launch offensive military actions. Not for 90 days. Not for 60 days. Not for one minute. And the War Powers Resolution of 1973 does not change that. In this episode of Thoughts from Maharrey Head, I talk about presidential war powers and explain why the…

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Tennessee Legislature Rejects Strict Restrictions on Asset Forfeiture, Keeps Federal Loophole Wide Open

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 25, 2018) – Last Thursday, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam signed a bill into law that modestly reforms the state’s asset forfeiture laws, but leaves a loophole in place allowing police to circumvent stricter state laws by passing cases off to the feds. Rep. Mike Carter (R-Ooltewah) introduced House Bill 2021 (HB2021) in January.…

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Illinois Senate Unanimously Passes Bill to Legalize Industrial Hemp Despite Federal Prohibition

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (April 25, 2018) – Yesterday, the Illinois Senate unanimously passed a bill that would legalize industrial hemp in the state and take a first step toward nullifying federal prohibition of the plant in effect. Sen. Tori Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights) introduced Senate Bill 2298 (SB2298) in January. The legislation would legalize industrial hemp in…

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Tenther Tuesday Episode 33: Taking on Big Brother Locally

In this episode, Mike Maharrey shares his recent experience in court and how local cops in his hometown are using these same talking points to hide surveillance programs. He and Michael Boldin also talk about some success at the state and local level to rein in Big Brother.

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Signed as Law: Nebraska Right to Try Act Rejects Some FDA Restrictions on Terminal Patients

LINCOLN, Neb. (April 24, 2018) – Last Thursday, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts signed a bill into law setting the foundation to nullify in practice some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules that deny access to experimental treatments by terminally ill patients. Sen. Bob Hilkemann (R-Omaha) introduced Legislature Bill 117 (LB117) last year and it carried over…

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Rhode Island Bill Takes on Asset Forfeiture, Would Effectively Shut Federal Loophole

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (April 24, 2018) – A bill introduced in the Rhode Island Senate would reform the state’s asset forfeiture laws to prohibit the state from taking property without a criminal conviction. The legislation also takes on federal forfeiture programs by banning prosecutors from circumventing state laws by passing cases off to the feds in most…

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