Pennsylvania House Passes Right to Try Act 182-0; Rejects Some FDA Restrictions on Terminal Patients

HARRISBURG, Pa. (June 22, 2016) – Last week, the Pennsylvania House unanimously passed a bill that would set the foundation to nullify in practice some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules that deny access to experimental treatments by terminally ill patients. Rep. Robert Godshall (R-Montgomery), along with a coalition of 21 bipartisan co-sponsors, introduced House…

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A Few Things I Never Thought I’d Learn How to Do Well

When I started this site as a blog 10 Years ago, there were many things I never thought I’d learn how to do well. Like printing envelopes – thousands of them – on a home printer.  After a few different printers over the years, I think this one from Brother does pretty well. Although I’d…

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To the Governor: Rhode Island Bill Would Legalize Hemp; Set Foundation to Nullify Federal Prohibition in Practice

PROVIDENCE R.I. (June 20, 2016) – The Rhode Island legislature has passed a bill to legalize the production and processing of industrial hemp for commercial purposes in the state, setting the foundation to nullify federal prohibition in practice. A coalition of five Democrats introduced House Bill 8232 (H8232) on May 19. As introduced, the legislation would…

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Obama Versus the States

A recent article by Governing suggests that despite initial signs of cooperation between state governors and the federal government at the beginning of President Obama’s administration, for the last eight years they’ve been mostly at odds with one another. However, the article also demonstrates that Obama’s efforts to usurp state authority are not unique to his…

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How Relevant is the Constitution in State, County, and City Elections?

With elections signs all around it might be well to be reminded that it is unrealistic to expect national candidates to follow the Constitution when we did not insist that they did so in state, county and city offices.  After all, many simply move up to higher office.  Some may even view the Constitution as…

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New York Electronic Communications Privacy Act Passed by Committee

ALBANY, N.Y. (June 16, 2016) – A New York Assembly committee has passed an electronic data protection bill that would end warrantless collection of cell phone data and ban the use “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications without a warrant in most situations. Passage of the bill would not…

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Signed By the Governor: New Hampshire Right to Try Act Rejects Some FDA Restrictions on Terminal Patients

CONCORD, N.H. (June 16, 2016) – Last week, New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan signed a bill setting the foundation to nullify in practice some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules that deny access to experimental treatments by terminally ill patients. Rep. Frank Edelbut (R-Wilbut) sponsored House Bill 1138 (HB1138). The new law provides terminally ill…

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Signed by the Governor: Louisiana Approves Medical Marijuana Bill to Shield Patients and Caregivers from Prosecution

BATON ROUGE, La. (June 13, 2016) – Last week, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards signed a bill specifically exempting medical marijuana patients and caregivers from prosecution in the state. Along with another measure that was signed into law earlier this year, it gives Louisiana a basis for a  functional medical marijuana program, setting the foundation…

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Two New Hampshire Bills Signed By Governor Roll Back Some Privacy Protections

CONCORD, N.H. (June 13, 2016) – New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan recently signed two bills into law that roll back what were some exceptionally strong privacy protections in the state. The two new laws expand allowable uses for automatic license plate readers (ALPRS) and begin implementation of what will essentially become a national ID system. Rep.…

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