New York City Ordinance Would Take First Step Toward Limiting Surveillance State

NEW YORK, N.Y. (March 8, 2017) – The New York City Council will consider an ordinance that would take the first step toward limiting the unchecked use of surveillance technologies that violate basic privacy rights and feed into a broader national surveillance state. Council member Dan Garodnick introduced the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology Act…

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Maine Bill Would Encourage use of Gold and Silver as Currency

AUGUSTA, Maine (March 8, 2017) – A bill introduced in the Maine legislature would eliminate the sales tax on precious metals purchases, removing a powerful disincentive for individuals to protect themselves against the disastrous effects of the Federal Reserve. Sen. Eric Brakey (R-Androscoggin), with a bipartisan coalition of four cosponsors, introduced Senate Bill 664 (LD664)…

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New Hampshire House Passes Bill to Prohibit Warrantless Stingray Spying

CONCORD, N.H. (Mar. 8, 2017) – Today, the New Hampshire House passed a bill that would ban the use of “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications without a warrant in most situations. The proposed law would not only protect privacy in New Hampshire, but would also hinder one aspect…

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Arizona Committee Passes Bill to Treat Gold and Silver as Money, Remove Capital Gains Taxes

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Mar. 8, 2017) – Today, an Arizona Senate Committee passed a bill that would eliminate state capital gains taxes on gold and silver specie, and encourage its use as currency. Final approval of the legislation would help undermine the Federal Reserve’s monopoly on money. Former US Rep. Ron Paul testified today in the Senate Finance…

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New Mexico Committee Passes Bill to Decriminalize Industrial Hemp; Foundation to Nullify Federal Prohibition

SANTA FE, N.M. (March 8, 2017) – A New Mexico bill that would decriminalize industrial hemp took another step forward last week, passing an important Senate committee. Passage into law would set the stage for the people there to nullify federal prohibition on the plant in practice. Rep. Rick Little (R-Chaparral) introduced House Bill 166 (HB166) on…

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Iowa Senate Committee Passes Bill Taking on Asset Forfeiture; Closes Federal Loophole

DES MOINES, Iowa (March 7, 2017) – On Monday, an Iowa Senate committee unanimously passed a bill that would reform the state’s asset forfeiture laws to prohibit the state from taking property without a criminal conviction in many cases. The legislation also takes on federal forfeiture programs by banning prosecutors from circumventing state laws by…

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Idaho Committee Passes Bill to Support Sound Money, Undermine Federal Reserve Monopoly

BOISE, Idaho (March 7, 2017) – An Idaho bill that would eliminate state capital gains taxes on gold and silver specie, and encourage its use as currency, passed an important House committee last week. Final approval of the legislation would help undermine the Federal Reserve’s monopoly on money. House Majority Leader Mike Moyle introduced House…

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