Maine Committee Passes Bill to Expand Health Freedom

AUGUSTA, Maine (May 11, 2017) – On Tuesday, an important Maine committee passed a bill that would help facilitate healthcare freedom in the state. Sen. Rod Whittemore (R-Somerset) introduced Senate Bill 1385 (LD1385)  on April 11. The legislation specifies that direct primary care agreements (sometimes called medical retainer agreements) do not constitute insurance, thereby freeing…

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Missouri Committee Approves Bill to Prohibit Warrantless Stingray Spying

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (May 10, 2017) – Today, a final Missouri House committee 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 the Show Me State, but would…

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To the Governor: Vermont Passes Marijuana Legalization Bill

MONTPELIER, Vt. (May 10, 2017) – Today, the Vermont House gave final approval to a bill that would legalize possession and cultivation of small amounts of marijuana. If signed by Gov. Phil Scott the legislation would help further nullify the unconstitutional federal prohibition on cannabis in the state. Senate Bill 22 (S,22) originally set up a…

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Foreign Policy Wisdom from a Foreign-Born Uber Driver

My Armenian Uber driver today – who only spoke passable English – went into a tirade about U.S. foreign policy since the 1950’s. He told me about the Shah of Iran, the Iraq/Iran war, Libya, funding the Taliban, and how all the destabilization has lead to the growth of ISIS. I told him that maybe…

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To the Governor: Arizona Passes Bill to Treat Gold and Silver as Money

PHOENIX, Ariz. (May 10, 2017) – Today, the Arizona Senate gave final approval to a bill that would eliminate state capital gains taxes on gold and silver specie, and encourage its use as currency. If signed into law, the legislation would help undermine the Federal Reserve’s monopoly on money. Rep. Mark Finchem (R-Tucson) introduced House Bill…

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Signed into Law: Washington Right to Try Act Rejects Some FDA Restrictions on Terminal Patients

OLYMPIA, Wash, (May 10, 2017) – Last week, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill into law setting the foundation to nullify in practice some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules that deny access to experimental treatments by terminally ill patients. A bipartisan coalition of 13 senators sponsored Senate Bill 5035 (SB5035). The new law…

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Signed by the Governor: Tennessee Decriminalizes Firearm “Silencers”

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 10, 2017) – Yesterday, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam signed a bill into law decriminalizing the manufacture and possession of firearm suppressors in the state. The new law not only removes a layer of state regulation, it will help foster an environment hostile to federal gun control in Tennessee. Sen. Steve Southerland (R-Morristown) introduced…

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Maine Bill Would Void Common Core Standards in the State

AUGUSTA, Maine. (May 10, 2017) – A Maine bill up for a hearing today would withdraw the state from Common Core. Rep. William Tuell (R-East Machias) introduced House Bill 1578 (LD1578) with five co-sponsors. The bill would void Common Core standards and would be replaced with the educational standards that were in place in Massachusetts before…

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Kansas Bill Would Support Sound Money, Exempt Gold and Silver from Sales Tax

TOPEKA, Kan. (May 9, 2017) – A bill introduced in the Kansas House would exempt gold and silver bullion, and other precious metals, from sales tax, taking a small but important step toward rejecting the Federal Reserve’s monopoly on money. The House of Delegates Taxation Committee introduced House Bill 2421 (HB2421) on May 2. The legislation…

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