Rhode Island House Committee Recommends Passage Of Right to Try Act

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (April 11, 2017) – Last week, a Rhode House committee recommended passage of 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. Joseph McNamara (D) introduced House Bill 5676 (HB5676), along with a…

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New Mexico Governor Doesn’t Want to Burden Police; Vetoes Electronic Privacy Bill

SANTA FE, N.M. (April 11, 2017) – Last week, Gov. Susana Martinez placed the desires of law enforcement lobbyists over the privacy of her constituents and vetoed a bill known as the Electronic Communication Privacy Act. The bill would not only have protected privacy in New Mexico, but would have also hindered at least two aspects…

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New York Bill Would End Common Core

ALBANY, N.Y. (April 11, 2017) – A New York Senate bill would withdraw the state from Common Core standards, nullifying the program in the state. Sen. Andrew Lanza (R) introduced Senate Bill 5288 (S5288), which would void Common Core standards in the state. It succinctly states: Common core state standards initiative. Notwithstanding any provision of…

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Virginia House Rejects Bill to Restrict ALPR Use, Help Block National License Plate Tracking Program

RICHMOND, Va. (April 11, 2017) – The Virginia House of Delegates rejected a bill that would have limited the use of automatic license plate readers (ALPRs), and restrict the retention and sharing of collected data. If passed into law, the bill would have not only protected privacy in Virginia, but would have also hindered some…

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Delaware Bill Would Legalize Marijuana for Recreational Use, Nullify Federal Prohibition

DOVER, Del. (Apr. 11, 2017) – A bill filed in the Delaware House would legalize marijuana for recreational use, taking a step toward nullifying federal cannabis prohibition in practice in the state. House Bill 110 (HB110) was introduced by Rep. Helene Keeley (D-South Wilmington) and 13 co-sponsors. The legislation would legalize marijuana under a tax-and-regulate…

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To the Governor: Arizona House Approves Bill Taking on State, Federal Asset Forfeiture

PHOENIX, Ariz. (April 10, 2017) – Today, the Arizona House gave final approval to a bill reforming the state’s asset forfeiture laws. The bill also takes on federal forfeiture programs by banning prosecutors from circumventing state laws by passing cases off to the feds in most situations. Rep. Eddie Farnsworth (R-Gilbert) introduced House Bill 2477…

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To the Governor: Montana Senate Approves Bill to Help Create a Gun Rights Sanctuary State

HELENA, Mont. (April 10, 2017) – On Saturday, the Montana Senate gave final approval to a bill that would take big steps toward making the state a sanctuary for gun rights by prohibiting state enforcement of most federal acts restricting firearms, magazines or ammunition. If signed into law, it would effectively stop any such federal acts in practice…

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To the Governor: Maryland House Approves Right to Try Act to Reject Some FDA Restrictions on Terminal Patients

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (April 10, 2017) – Today, the Maryland House 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. Introduced by Del. Karen Young (D-Frederick) and 18 bipartisan co-sponsors, House Bill 584…

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Doctor Bloodied, Dragged By Police Off Overbooked Plane So Employees Could Fly

"Video of police officers dragging a passenger from an overbooked United Airlines flight sparked an uproar Monday on social media, and a spokesman for the airline insisted that employees had no choice but to contact authorities to remove the man. As the flight waited to depart from Chicago's O'Hare Airport, officers could be seen grabbing the screaming man from a window seat, pulling him across the armrest and dragging him down the aisle by his arms. The airline was trying to make room for four of its employees on the Sunday evening flight to Louisville, Kentucky." Continue reading

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