CHARLESTON, W.Va. (April 25, 2017) – Last Friday, Gov. Jim Justice (D-West Virginia) signed a bill to shut down the state-run Obamacare health insurance exchange. Once in effect this summer, the new law takes an important first step toward withdrawing the state from implementing the national healthcare program. Rep. Joe Ellington (R-Princeton) sponsored House Bill 2119 (HB2119),…
HELENA, Mont. (April 25, 2017) – Montana Gov. Steve Bullock vetoed a bill that would have helped facilitate healthcare freedom and set the stage to nullify national healthcare in practice in the state. Sen. Cary Smith (R-Billings) sponsored Senate Bill 100 (SB100). The legislation specified that direct primary care agreements (sometimes called medical retainer agreements)…
AUSTIN, Texas (April 25, 2017) – Yesterday, a bill that would effectively prohibit so-called “sanctuary cities” that refuse to help enforce some federal immigration laws passed the Texas House. Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) filed Senate Bill 4 (SB4) along with 19 cosponsors. The legislation would ban localities from adopting policies that prohibit or restrict local agents…
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (April 25, 2017) – Yesterday, a Missouri Senate committee passed a bill that would remove industrial hemp from the state’s list of controlled substances, and create a program for the licensing and regulation commercial hemp production. Passage into law would set the foundation to nullify the unconstitutional federal prohibition on the same, in…
CONCORD, N.H. (Apr. 25, 2017) – Last week, the New Hampshire Senate gave final approval to a bill to expand the state’s medical marijuana program. If signed by the governor, this measure would further nullify the federal prohibition on cannabis in practice. Rep. Eric Schleien (R-Hillsborough) sponsored House Bill 157 (HB157). The legislation would expand…
"Claiming the U.S. has been 'taken advantage of' under the Clinton-era NAFTA trade deal, President Trump Monday night opened a trade war with Canada, announcing a retroactive 20 percent 'tax' on lumber imports, and promising a similar tax on Canadian milk. 'Canada has treated us very unfairly,' the president said in impromptu remarks at a reception for conservative journalists. 'We have been taken so advantage of,' he said, speaking it the Roosevelt Room. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, who accompanied the president into the reception, said that the 'countervailing duty' would be retroactive 90 days." Continue reading →
Today is day 96 that the GOP has failed to repeal Obamacare. But while Congress is still predictably doing nothing, states across the country continue to advance legislation to take on unconstitutional federal power. This week on Tenther Tuesday, Michael Boldin and Mike Maharrey talk about bills moving forward to limit warrantless surveillance, undermine the…
AUSTIN, Texas (April 25, 2017) – Last week, a Texas House committee passed a proposed state constitutional amendment that would authorize the legislature to exempt precious metals held in the Texas Gold Depository from ad valorem taxation. Passage of the amendment would take another step toward the everyday use of gold and silver in financial…
PHOENIX, Ariz. (April 24, 2017) – Today, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed a bill that bans the use of “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications without a warrant in most situations. The new law will not only protect privacy in Arizona, but will also hinder one aspect of the federal surveillance state. Sen. Bob…
MADISON, Wisc. (April 20, 2017) – A so-called “Constitutional Carry” bill filed in the Wisconsin House would make it legal for most Wisconsinians to carry a firearm without a license, and foster an environment hostile to federal gun control. A coalition of 51 representatives and senators introduced Assembly Bill 247 (AB247) on April 14. The…