To the Governor’s Desk: West Virginia Passes Bill to End Common Core; Potential Loopholes Remain

CHARLESTON, Wv. (Mar. 21, 2015) – A bill introduced in the West Virginia House to withdraw the state from Common Core standards passed a State vote. Having previously passed in the House, it is slated for the Governor’s desk. However, alterations were made during the process that could impact the effect of the bill. House…

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Massachusetts Bill to Terminate Common Core Standards Stalls in Committee, May be Decided by Voters in November

BOSTON, Mass. (Mar. 18, 2015) – A Massachusetts House bill to terminate Common Core educational standards, an important step toward nullifying nationalized education in the state, has stalled in committee and will likely need more signatures to appear on the ballot in November. House Bill 3929 (H.3929) is the result of a initiative petition files…

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Illinois Senate Committee Passes Bill to Prohibit Warrantless Stingray Spying; Hinder Federal Surveillance Program

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (March 18, 2016) – An important Illinois Senate committee has 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 legislation would not only protect privacy in the Illinois, but would also hinder one…

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Back from the Dead: After Grassroots Pressure, Tennessee Committee Re-votes and Passes Bill to Block International Gun Control

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 17, 2016) – After voting to kill a bill last month that would have taken a first step toward withdrawing state resources and personnel from enforcing gun control based on international law or treaties, a House subcommittee reconsidered the bill and passed it by a 3-2 vote yesterday. Rep. John Windle and Rep.…

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Pennsylvania Bill Would Set the Stage to Reject and Block NDAA Indefinite Detention

HARRISBURG, Pa. (March 17, 2016) – A bill recently introduced in the Pennsylvania Senate would take a step toward nullifying indefinite detention under the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 (NDAA) or any other federal act. Sen. Mike Folmer  (R-Lebanon) introduced Senate Bill 1150 (SB1150) earlier this month. The legislation would prohibit the Commonwealth, its…

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California Assembly Committee Passes Bill Taking on Drone Surveillance 7-0

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (March 17, 2016) – A California bill that would restrict warrantless drone surveillance by state and local law enforcement unanimously passed an important Assembly committee this week. If ultimately signed into law, the legislation would not only establish important privacy protections at the state level, it would also help thwart the federal surveillance…

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Tennessee House Subcommittee Unanimously Kills Bill to Restrict Asset Forfeiture, Close Federal Loophole

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Mar 16, 2016) – Today, a House Subcommittee voted unanimously to kill a bill  reform asset forfeiture laws to prohibit the state from taking property without a criminal conviction. The legislation would have also taken on federal forfeiture programs by banning prosecutors from circumventing state laws by passing cases off to the feds in…

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Missouri House Committee Unanimously Passes Bill Taking on EPA Clean Power Plan

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (March 16, 2016) – A Missouri House committee passed a bill yesterday that would take a small, but important, first step in setting the foundation to reject some federal EPA rules and regulations in practice. Rep. Jack Bondon (R-Belton) introduced House Bill 2543 (HB2543) in February. The legislation would require the Missouri Department of…

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Tennessee House Votes 94-0 for Resolution in Support of Creating a Bullion Depository

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 16, 2016) – Yesterday, the Tennessee House unanimously passed a resolution that would set the stage for creation of state bullion depository, an important first step toward establishing gold and silver as money in the state. Rep. Bud Hulsey (R-Kingsport) introduced House Joint Resolution 516 (HJR516) in January. The resolution expresses support for creation of a…

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Arizona House Committee Passes Bill Setting Stage to Reject and Block Federal Indefinite Detention and Targeted Assassination Program

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Mar. 16, 2016) – Today, an Arizona House committee passed a bill that would take a big step toward rejecting indefinite detention under the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2012, and other federal laws which claim to authorize using the laws of war domestically. Introduced by State Sen. Judy Burges, Senate Bill 1437 (SB1437) declares any attempts to use…

Continue ReadingArizona House Committee Passes Bill Setting Stage to Reject and Block Federal Indefinite Detention and Targeted Assassination Program