Kentucky Gov. Bevin to EPA: Pound Sand

In Federalist #46, James Madison gave us the blueprint for how to reject federal programs. And, whether he knows it or not, incoming Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin is putting at least one of Madison’s 4 steps into practice against the EPA. On the Glenn Beck show this morning, said he will push back against the…

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Oklahoma Bill Would Curb “Policing for Profit” via Asset Forfeiture, Federal Loophole Remains

OKLAHOMA CITY (Nov. 6, 2015) – A bill up for consideration when the Oklahoma state legislature returns from recess in Feb. 2016 would reform asset forfeiture laws by prohibiting the state from taking property without a criminal conviction. But it leaves open a big loophole that would allow the practice to continue under federal forfeiture programs. Introduced by…

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Massachusetts Committee Considers Restrictions on Asset Forfeiture Program

BOSTON (Nov. 5, 2015) – A bill under consideration in the Massachusetts Senate would reform asset forfeiture laws to prohibit the state from taking property without a criminal conviction in most cases. Introduced in April by Sen. Salvatore DiDomenico (D-Middlesex) along with a bipartisan group of cosponsors, Senate Bill 797 (S797) was given a hearing in…

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Nullification: “If you love liberty you can’t stand the federal government”

In an interview with then-Mises Institute vice-president Jeffrey Tucker, Tom Woods talks about his book Nullification and the concepts behind the political doctrine in connection with the Tenth Amendment. They also go through the history of nullification, starting with the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions, written by James Madison and Thomas Jefferson respectively, in response to the…

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Maryland Senate will Consider ‘Right to Try’ Bill to Nullify in Practice Some FDA Restrictions

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Nov. 4, 2015) – A Maryland bill scheduled for introduction in 2016 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. Bryan Simonaire (R-Pasadena) intends to file ‘Right to Try’ legislation for next year that would…

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Interview: States Defy the Federal Government

Today, I was a guest on the Tom Woods show to discuss our recently-released “State of the Nullification Movement Report.” Here’s what Tom had to say: It’s under the radar, but there’s been more state-level pushback against the federal government this year than at any time since the creation of the Tenth Amendment Center. Pushing…

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Debate Over Reforming Asset Forfeiture Laws in Tennessee Heats Up; Beware of Feds

NASHVILLE (Nov. 3, 2015) – Tennessee has joined the growing number of states considering reforming state asset forfeiture laws. Last week, the state Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the matter, and law enforcement lobbyists predictably showed up in force to defend their ability to “police for profit.” Current Tennessee asset forfeiture laws allow…

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Mike Huckabee Says Gun Dealers Should Refuse to Comply with Executive Orders on Background Checks

GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee recently urged gun dealers to nullify in effect any future presidential orders requiring firearms background checks. In a recent interview with Newsmax TV, Huckabee said gun dealers should simply refuse to cooperate with any executive order requiring new background checks. “The president can’t make law, he just can’t,” Huckabee said.…

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Does the Constitution Allow a Female President? Originalism Says Yes. Some Types of Nonoriginalism May Say No.

This might seem like an odd question, but a journalist recently asked me my opinion about the matter.  It turns out that Article II of the Constitution refers to the President as a him.  For example: “He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years.”  If this “he” meant only a male person,…

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