New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy is signing bills and taking names. While Democrats are thrilled with some of his recent gubernatorial decisions, there are some Republicans who have become frustrated with the pace of change. One of his recent decisions was to expand family leave provisions for residents of the Garden State, and now he’s making it … [Read more...]
Red Flag Gun Bill Advances in Colorado
Regardless of where you stand on gun issues, it’s hard to argue that guns simply don’t belong in some people’s hands. That was the core issue recently at a debate at the House Judiciary Committee hearing at the Capitol in Denver, Colorado kicked off state Democratic lawmakers’ second attempt to pass a “red flag” bill, also called an extreme risk … [Read more...]
Multiple States Move to Expand Government Expression of Religion
A coordinated push by religious groups is resulting in an explosion of legislation across the country that mandates the inclusion of “In God We Trust” in schools and other constitutionally dubious public religious expressions. With a conservative majority on the Supreme Court, activists are hoping any litigation will result in important … [Read more...]
Strict Term Limits Force Nation’s Highest Turnover in Michigan Legislature
In the 80's and 90's, the idea of term limits took hold across the country. Activists pushed them as a way of bringing change to moribund legislatures, while angry voters dissatisfied with their local governments seized on term limits as a way of holding politicians to account. Term limits represented an important part of the “Contract With … [Read more...]
Appeals Court Ruling on Net Neutrality Will Not Be Reviewed by the Supreme Court
The Obama Administration’s net neutrality laws were solidified in 2015, but after Donald Trump appointed Ajit Pai Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 2017, those rules were rolled back. Net neutrality laws require all Internet service providers (ISPs), like Comcast, Verizon, AT&T, and Time Warner, to treat all … [Read more...]
Four States Voting on Marijuana Amendments in Fall 2018
The New York Times reports four more states will vote on recreational or medical marijuana use this upcoming voting day. If the amendments are passed, Michigan, Missouri, North Dakota, and Utah will join 30 other states that have legalized the drug in some form. These four states are all proposing separate legislation that will affect marijuana … [Read more...]
Sessions Challenges California’s Net Neutrality
It is no secret that the State of California has taken on the Federal Government by passing several of its own laws to protect its residents against the deregulation implemented by the Trump administration. Arguably, California’s new net neutrality law may be its biggest attempt yet at isolating itself from the Federal Government. Net neutrality … [Read more...]
Two Court Rulings Re-Shape Ability to Sue Out-of-State Companies in Pennsylvania
Two rulings from the Pennsylvania Superior Court have re-affirmed Pennsylvanians' right to sue out-of-state companies that register as “foreign corporations” in Pennsylvania. The two cases, Webb-Benjamin v. International Rug Group and Murray v. American LaFrance, were decided in June and September of this year, respectively. Attorneys in the … [Read more...]
Flyin’ High: LAX Allows Pot Possession
Airports Nationwide Attempt Balance Between Federal and State Marijuana Laws Is air travel about to reach all new heights? Los Angeles International Airport recently announced policy changes which permit passengers to pack pot into their carry-ons. However, in what continues to be a hazy line between federal and state marijuana laws, bringing a … [Read more...]
Proposal to Allow for More Overtime for Salaried Employees in PA
If you’re a salaried employee in Pennsylvania, you may be entitled to some overtime pay you didn’t even realize you were owed. Recent testimony by senior members of the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) before the Pennsylvania House Labor and Industry Committee indicates that many employers either do not know the law regarding salaried … [Read more...]
