California Bill Taking on Federal Militarization of Police Clears Senate Committees

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (July 20, 2015) – A California bill that would create a mechanism to stop transfers of military equipment to state or local law enforcement agencies cleared its final committee hurdle last and will now move on to the Senate floor when it returns from a summer recess in August. Introduced by Asm. Nora Campos…

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Delaware Governor Vetoes Common Core Opt-Out Bill

DOVER, Del. (July 20, 2015) – Last week, a Delaware “Common Core opt-out bill” was vetoed by Gov. Jack Markell. Since the bill passed by veto-proof majorities in both houses, insiders suggest that an override is possible when the legislature reconvenes in January. Introduced by Rep. John Kowalko (D-Newark) in March along with eight bipartisan cosponsors,…

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Two California Bills Taking on Spying by “Stingrays” Pass out of Committee

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (July 17, 2015) – Two California bills that would work together to help end the warrantless use of “stingrays” passed unanimously out of important Assembly committees this week. Passage into law would not only help protect privacy in California, but would also hinder part of the federal surveillance state. Sen. Mark Leno (D)…

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US Senate Rejects Parental Choice in Education, but States and Individuals Choosing Anyway

LOS ANGELES (July 15, 2015) This week, the Federal Senate rejected a measure that would have protected school choice, but individuals and states are already taking actions without federal approval, and it will likely continue and grow in 2016. In a rare instance where a measure was put forward in the National Congress that would have…

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If the Feds Can’t Coerce States, Why Can They Coerce Individuals?

Tying together strands from the legal reasoning in the twin Supreme Court cases on Obamacare, we find a principle that just might shield individual Americans from the coercive force of the federal government if it were ever properly applied. It’s a simple fact in the insurance business: the more policyholders file claims, the more pressure…

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Federal Judges Fail to Restrain Federal Power – Now What?

Two shocking rulings handed down by the Supreme Court recently – one, King V. Burwell, rewriting precise language in the Affordable Health Care Act, the other, Obergefell V. Hodges, assuming federal authority to define marriage, illuminate a central flaw in the American system of government – as it now exists. That flaw is the lack…

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Bill to Curb ‘Policing for Profit’ via Asset Forfeiture Approved by California Assembly Committee

SACRAMENTO, Ca. (July 15, 2015) – Yesterday, a California Assembly Committee unanimously passed a bill that not only bolsters restrictions on state officials from seizing property without due process, but throws a wrench into federal efforts to do the same. Previously passed by the Senate, it moves one step closer to the Governor’s desk. Introduced by…

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Historical Ignorance: The War of 1861 Established Federal Dominance

The victors of war write its history in order to cast themselves in the most favorable light. That explains the considerable historical ignorance about our war of 1861 and panic over the Confederate flag. To create better understanding, we have to start a bit before the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.

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