“To the extent that AML policies have had an impact, it’s been negative. In addition to high costs and inefficiency, the laws and regulations have disproportionately harmed poor people.” Continue reading →
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 6, 2017) – Bills filed in the Tennessee House and Senate would exempt gold and silver bullion and coins from sales tax, encouraging their use and taking the first step toward breaking the Federal Reserve’s monopoly on money. Sen. Frank Nicely (R-Strawberry Plains) introduced Senate Bill 350 (SB350) on Feb. 2. Rep.…
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Feb. 6, 2017) – A bill introduced in the Rhode Island House would require a judicial order for the use of “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications. Passage of the bill would not only protect privacy in the state, but would also hinder one aspect of the…
OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 6, 2017) – A Oklahoma bill would legalize medical marijuana for qualifying patients in the state, effectively nullifying the unconstitutional federal prohibition on the same. Scheduled for introduction on Feb. 6 by Rep. Eric Proctor (D-Tulsa), House Bill 1877 (HB1877) would shield any qualifying medical marijuana patient from “arrest, prosecution or penalty…
Anytime there’s an effort to withdraw from a federal program, or take action to resist it – someone will claim that the “supremacy clause” means the states can’t do anything. They’re totally wrong. And State Rep. Eddie Farnsworth smacked that idea down on the Arizona House floor this week. Under the #constitution, #supremacy doesn’t mean…
LANSING, Mich. (Feb. 3, 2017) – A resolution introduced in the Michigan House would put before voters a state constitutional amendment to protect electronic communications and data from the prying eyes of state and local law enforcement. The amendment would also effectively block a small but intrusive practical effect of federal spying within the state.…
DENVER Colo. (Feb. 3, 2017) – A bill introduced in the Colorado Senate would close a loophole that allows state and local police to circumvent more stringent state asset forfeiture laws by passing cases off to the feds. A bipartisan coalition of four senators introduced Senate Bill 136 (SB136) on Jan. 31. The legislation primarily…
RICHMOND, Va. (Feb. 3, 2017) – Today, a Virginia bill that would limit the use of automatic license plate readers (ALPRs), and restrict the retention and sharing of collected data, passed an important House committee. If passed into law, the bills would not only protect privacy in Virginia, but would also hinder some aspects of…