Legislation & Lobbying

Feds Promise Loan Reform; States Act

In the wake of widespread reports that mortgage abuses by so-called subprime lenders have led to increased loan foreclosures, federal and state legislators have expressed concern and promised new laws to check fraudulent practices. But so far, federal lawmakers have focused primarily on holding hearings on the subject, prompting state…

Jul 10, 2007 7:33 PM CDT

Catfight Over Neutering Bill

A bill requiring Californians to spay or neuter their pets has produced more response than any other measure before the state legislature this year. The Senate committee considering the bill has heard from nearly 20,000 pet owners and other interested parties, with slightly more favoring passage, the Los Angeles Times…

Jul 10, 2007 7:03 PM CDT

AG Overlooked Reported Violations

U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales testified two years ago that the FBI had not abused its investigative powers under the USA Patriot Act even though he had received several reports of improper surveillance by the agency, the Washington Post reports. Gonzales had received at least six reports of procedural or…

Jul 10, 2007 3:15 PM CDT

CA’s Asset Seizure Policy is Changing

In recent years, the California officials have increased the amount of money they spend to locate dormant assets that the government can seize. But they’ve decreased the amount of money they spend to notify owners first—to almost zero. As a result, even when owners could be located with relative ease,…

Jul 9, 2007 10:28 PM CDT

US Doesn’t Deport Most Foreign Criminals

Recent reports of government raids on companies that employ illegal immigrants and families split up when a non-citizen member living in the U.S. is forced to return to his or her home country focus on foreigners who, for the most part, haven’t committed crimes except for living here illegally. But…

Jul 6, 2007 11:37 PM CDT

Immigrants Face County Crackdown

Illegal immigrants wouldn’t be able to go to public schools, get free medical care or check out library books if Virginia’s second-largest county approves an anti-immigrant measure that is among the toughest in the nation. Prince William County is likely to approve the resolution on Tuesday, although it could be…

Jul 6, 2007 9:03 PM CDT

Should States Hire Private Trial Lawyers?

A growing controversy about whether it is appropriate for states to retain high-priced contingency lawyers to pursue mass tort litigation on citizens’ behalf is being argued in courts—and newspapers—throughout the country. Siding with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Wall Street Journal’s (sub. req.) editorial board says today that it’s…

Jul 5, 2007 10:50 PM CDT

Ballast Law Rocks the Boat

A group of shipping companies and trade associations is challenging a Michigan law that requires ships to treat ballast before dumping it in state waters. The suit filed in Detroit federal court claims the state law, designed to protect Lake Michigan from invasive species carried in sea water, unconstitutionally regulates…

Jul 5, 2007 7:10 PM CDT

Report: Rape Used as Weapon in Sudan

A government-backed militia is systematically using rape as a method of so-called ethnic cleansing in the Darfur region of western Sudan, a report by a humanitarian group says. The Janjaweed militia can do so with impunity due to hostility to rape claims by local police and the difficulty of providing…

Jul 4, 2007 1:18 AM CDT

Specter Tries to Rein in Signing Statements

Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) didn’t succeed the first time around with an effort to limit President George W. Bush’s controversial practice of using signing statements to contest federal legislation with which he personally disagrees. But now he is trying again. The senator, who is the ranking Republican on the House…

Jul 3, 2007 11:02 PM CDT

Bill Would Transfer Detainees

The administration is discussing legislation that would move some Guantanamo detainees to military brigs on American soil where they would be held indefinitely. The idea is gaining support despite fears that legal challenges by detainees moved here will hamper the fight against terrorism, the New York Times reports. Aides are…

Jul 3, 2007 4:38 PM CDT

Ariz. Law Tough on Illegal Hires

Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano has signed a law imposing stiff sanctions on companies that hire illegal aliens. Businesses that fail to verify the legal status of employees may have their licenses suspended, and those that commit a second offense may have their licenses permanently revoked, the New York Times reports.…

Jul 3, 2007 4:16 PM CDT

FOIA Requests Linger

Some agencies appear to be dragging their feet in response to requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act. Sixteen requests for information have been pending for 16 years, and one is 20 years old, according to a survey to be released today by the National Security Archive, a…

Jul 2, 2007 3:47 PM CDT

Canadian Policy Offers a Lesson for US

With twice as many immigrants coming into the country annually as in the U.S., Canada’s system–which otherwise is similar to proposed legislation in Congress–offers cautionary lessons about what doesn’t work. One drawback is a points system that provides credits for desired traits, like education and English fluency, but is difficult…

Jun 28, 2007 1:37 AM CDT

Will Nutty Law Result in Almond Capers?

Mike Braga doesn’t ordinarily think of himself as a potential lawbreaker. But the Madera, California, almond farmer will be faced with a legal dilemma as of Sept. 1. Either he stops selling unpasteurized almonds, except for any customers who might wish to buy organic almonds from a small farm stand,…

Jun 27, 2007 6:50 PM CDT