Afternoon Briefs: DOJ changes stance on health care law; Scabby the Rat gets NLRB lawyer’s support
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DOJ withdraws opposition to health care law
The U.S. Department of Justice has notified the U.S. Supreme Court that it no longer supports overturning the Affordable Care Act. The Trump administration had argued that the health care law is no longer constitutional after Congress eliminated the tax penalty for failure to buy health insurance. On Wednesday, the DOJ said in a letter it had reconsidered the government position following the change in administration. (Law360, Law.com, the DOJ letter)
NLRB acting general counsel defends Scabby the Rat
Peter Sung Ohr, the acting general counsel of the National Labor Relations Board, is seeking to withdraw complaints alleging that unions illegally displayed a giant inflatable rat known as Scabby the Rat outside a Philadelphia hotel and an RV trade show in Indiana. Ohr is asking the NLRB to let him withdraw the complaints. (Law360, the Huffington Post)
Judge rules South Dakota pot measure is unconstitutional
A judge in South Dakota has ruled that a voter-approved measure to legalize and tax recreational marijuana violates the state constitution. Judge Christina Klinger said the amendment didn’t follow the constitutional convention process required for constitutional revisions and improperly addresses multiple subjects. (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader)
LSC requests funding in COVID-19 relief package
The Legal Services Corp. is asking for supplemental funding of $350 million to $500 million in the COVID-19 relief package being considered by Congress. Ronald Flagg, president of the LSC, said the money is needed because of a “dramatic spike in legal needs caused by COVID-19 coupled with precipitous declines in state and local funding.” (Legal Services Corp. Feb. 9 press release)
