Oregon Governor Signs Common Core Opt Out Bill into Law

SALEM, Ore. (June 24, 2015) – In the face of federal threats to withhold millions of dollars, Gov. Kate Brown signed a bill Tuesday that allows to opt their children out of standardized Common Core testing more easily. Introduced by Rep. Chris Gorsek (D-Troutdale) along with six Democrat and seven Republican cosponsors, House Bill 2655 (HB2655)…

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To the Governor’s Desk: North Carolina Right to Try Act would Protect Terminal Patients from some FDA Restrictions

RALEIGH, N.C. (June 24, 2015) – Yesterday, the North Carolina state Senate gave final approval to a bill that would effectively nullify in practice some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules that prevent terminally ill patients from accessing experimental treatments. The vote was 14-0. Introduced by State Reps. Hugh Blackwell (R-Burke), Mike Hager (R-Rutherford), Donny…

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Powers of the President: The Founders’ Vision vs Today

Here is a speech I recently gave at the Minnesota Tea Party Alliance’s quarterly event. The topic was “Powers of the President,” where I compared the original constitutional understanding of the executive with the behavior of modern presidents. Spoiler Alert: there is a stark contrast between the two.

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Get Government Out of Marriage: Michigan Bill Would Nullify Both Sides in Practice

LANSING, Mich. (June 23, 2015) – Last week, a bill was filed in the Michigan state House that would end would end mandatory government licensing of marriages in the state, effectively nullifying in practice both major sides of the contentious national debate over government-sanctioned marriage. Introduced by Rep. Todd Courser (R-Lapeer) and Rep. Cindy Gamrat (R-Plainwell),…

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To the Governor’s Desk: Oregon Senate Passes Bill to Curb Warrantless Collection of Cellphone Data

SALEM, Ore. (June 22, 2015) Last week, the Oregon state Senate gave final approval to a bill that would prohibit law enforcement from obtaining information from electronic devices without a warrant in most cases, sending it to the Governor’s desk. The proposed bill would not only protect privacy in Oregon, but would also address a…

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To the Governor’s Desk: Maine Bill Restricting Government Use of Drones

AUGUSTA, Maine (June 21, 2015) A Maine bill that would drastically restrict the use of drones by state and local law enforcement and serve to thwart one aspect of the federal surveillance state was approved by the full legislature last week. It will now go to the Gov. LePage’s desk where he can sign it…

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Swiss Bank Refuses Request for Cash Withdrawal, Backed By Central Bank

“A Swiss pension fund manager calculated that he could save his clients a substantial amount of money by withdrawing cash from his fund’s bank account, which was yielding a negative interest return, and depositing the cash in an insured vault. Exercising his fiduciary responsibility, he notified his bank of an impending large withdrawal of CHF. The bank rebuffed the fund manager’s request: ‘We are sorry, that within the time period specified, no solution corresponding to your expectations could be found.’ One banking expert argues that the bank’s action ‘is most definitely not legal’ because the pension fund holds a ‘sight account,’ which gives the holder the right to withdraw cash on demand.” Continue reading

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