JUNEAU, Alaska (Jan. 29, 2018) – A bill introduced in the Alaska House would ban the state from using resources to help the federal government enforce marijuana prohibition laws against people who are in compliance with the state law legalizing marijuana for medical purposes. Passage into law would greatly impact the federal government’s ability to…
On January 8, 1790, President George Washington delivered the very first Annual Message to a Joint Session of Congress (now known as the State of the Union address), in the Senate chamber of Federal Hall in New York City. The address fulfilled Article II, Section 3, Clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution, which states that…
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (Jan. 29, 2018) – A bill filed in the Oklahoma House would end government licensing of marriages in the state, effectively nullifying in practice both major sides of the contentious national debate over government-sanctioned marriage. Rep. Todd Russ (R-Cordell), filed House Bill 3454 (HB3454). The legislation would end the issuance of state…
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Jan. 29, 2018) – Last week, a Washington state House committee passed a bill that would improve the state’s asset forfeiture laws and set the stage to close a loophole that allows state and local police to circumvent more strict state forfeiture laws by passing cases off to the feds. Rep. Matt Shea (R-Spokane…
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (Jan. 29, 2018) – A Utah bill would expand raw milk sales in the state. Passage into law would take an important step toward rejecting a federal prohibition scheme in effect. Sen. David Hinkins (R-27) and Rep. Marc Roberts (R-67) introduced Senate Bill 108 (SB108) January 23. The legislation would expand existing laws…
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Jan. 29, 2018) – A bill introduced in the Maryland House would ban the warrantless use of “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications without a court order. Passage of the bill would not only protect privacy in Maryland, it would also hinder one aspect of the federal surveillance…
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 29, 2018) – A bill introduced in the Kentucky House would legalize medical marijuana for qualifying patients in the state, setting the foundation to nullify unconstitutional federal cannabis prohibition in practice. A coalition of 15 Democratic Party representatives introduced House Bill 166 (HB166) on Jan. 10. The legislation would legalize cannabis for medicinal…
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Jan. 29, 2018) – A bill introduced in the South Carolina House would allow customers to opt out of installing “smart meter” technology on their homes and businesses without penalty. Passage of this bill would enable South Carolinians to protect their own privacy, and it would take a step toward blocking a federal program…
Today in 1834, President Andrew Jackson called forth soldiers to suppress a labor dispute for the first time. The event was considered to be a bold, unprecedented extension of executive authority. After workers on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal rioted over working conditions, the government of Maryland begged President Jackson for federal assistance, hastily interpreting…
BOISE, Idaho (Jan. 29, 2018) – New insurance regulations in Idaho will allow health insurance companies to offer less costly plans that do not comply with all of the Obamacare mandates and requirements, taking a big step toward nullifying the unconstitutional Affordable Care Act in the state. Idaho Department of Insurance Director Dean Cameron released…