LINCOLN, Neb. (April 19, 2018) – On Wednesday, the Nebraska legislature 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. Sen. Bob Hilkemann (R-Omaha) introduced Legislature Bill 117 (LB117) last year and…
It seems the kids who wanted the federal government to violate my basic rights are unhappy because a government entity is violating their basic rights. A Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student tweeted out a photo of herself holding a clear backpack issued by the school in the wake of the tragic shooting last month.…
People tend to view the colonies as essentially homogeneous, but in fact, they differed significantly in their cultures, religions, economies and political views.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Apr. 19, 2018) – Yesterday, the Louisiana House passed a bill that would make the state’s medical marijuana program permanent. Final passage into law would take a big step toward nullifying federal cannabis prohibition in effect. Rep. Tanner Magee (R-Houma) introduced House Bill 823 (HB823) on April 3. Under current law, the…
Last week, I warned you about trusting lawyers to explain the Constitution. On this week’s episode of Thoughts from Maharrey Head, I make an exception to that general advice. I’m also explain what a baseball rule can teach us about constitutional interpretation. You can subscribe to Thoughts from Maharrey Head for free on iTunes. Just click HERE. SHOW…
LANSING, Mich. (Apr. 18, 2018) – A bill introduced in the Michigan House would reform asset forfeiture laws to prohibit the state from taking property without a criminal conviction in most cases. Rep. Pete Lucido (R-Shelby Township) introduced House Bill 5779 (HB5779) on Apr. 11. The legislation would reform Michigan law by requiring a criminal…
BERKELEY, Calif. (April 18, 2018) – The city of Berkeley, Calif., has passed a local ordinance that sets the stage to limit the acquisition and use of spy gear by law enforcement and other city agencies. The Surveillance Technology Use and Community Safety Ordinance ensures there will be public notice and debate before the city acquires…
JUNEAU, Alaska (April 18, 2018) – Last Friday, Alaska Gov. Bill Walker signed a bill into law legalizing industrial hemp and creating a licensing program for its cultivation in the state. The new law takes another step toward nullifying federal prohibition on the plant in practice. Sen. Shelly Hughes (R) filed Senate Bill 6 (SB6)…
BOSTON, Mass. (April 17, 2018) – Last week, a Massachusetts committee passed a bill that would limit access to, and retention and sharing of, data collected by automatic license plate readers. Passage into law would also place significant roadblocks in the way of a federal program using states to help track the location of millions…
Over the weekend, President Trump celebrated firing more than 100 missiles into Syria by Tweeting, “Mission Accomplished!” They say if you cannot learn from history you are condemned to repeat it. So I guess we are repeating it. We all remember that “Mission Accomplished” was the banner behind then-President Bush as he gloated aboard a…