Trump's economic executive actions raise constitutional questions
The four executive actions President Donald Trump signed Saturday may face legal challenges because the Constitution grants Congress, not the president, the power to tax and spend. Trump signed three presidential memoranda and an executive order to provide economic relief for the economic crisis caused by COVID-19. The three memoranda seek to increase the unemployment [...]
Pennsylvania Supreme Court dismisses challenge to statewide moratorium on evictions
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has dismissed a challenge to Governor Tom Wolf’s statewide moratorium on foreclosures and evictions. The decision issued Friday leaves in place an order that protects renters from losing their homes for failing to pay rent during the pandemic. The state Supreme Court dismissed the case per curiam, with only Justice Wecht [...]
Massachusetts lawmakers approve bill to prevent foreclosures during COVID-19 pandemic
The Massachusetts Senate on Friday approved a bill that imposes a moratorium on foreclosures and evictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill was then sent to Governor Charlie Baker for approval. “ purposes, which are to establish forthwith a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures during the governor’s COVID19 emergency declaration … necessary for the immediate [...]
California Judicial Council adopts new rules during COVID-19 pandemic
The Judicial Council, the policymaking body of the California courts, approved 11 temporary emergency rules on Monday to ensure California courts can meet the state’s health directives while also providing the public with due process and access to justice. The rules that were adopted include “setting bail statewide at $0 for misdemeanors and lower-level felonies to [...]
Trump suspends evictions and authorizes Defense Production Act because of COVID-19
US President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that his administration would be suspending all evictions and foreclosures through the end of April to ease people’s concerns during the COVID-19 outbreak. In addition, he activated the Defense Production Act, which was established in the 1950s and used during wartime. It allows the president to force American businesses [...]
Supreme Court defines 'debt collector' under Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
The US Supreme Court ruled unanimously Wednesday in Obduskey v. McCarthy & Holthus LLP that a business is not a “debtor collector” under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, except in enforcing security interest under 15 USC §1692f(6). Homeowner and political activist Dennis Obduskey sued law firm McCarthy & Holthus when they attempted to carry out [...]
Federal appeals court: Fannie Mae not liable for credit assessment error
The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled Wednesday that the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) does not qualify as a “consumer reporting agency” as defined in the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), and therefore cannot be sued for misreporting that an Arizona couple had a prior foreclosure. Fannie Mae’s proprietary software, Desktop Underwriter (DU), [...]
Supreme Court hears oral arguments in drug labeling and foreclosure protections cases
The Supreme Court began its 2019 term Monday with oral arguments for two cases: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. v. Albrecht and Obduskey v. McCarthy & Holthus. In Merck v. Albrecht, the justices must determine whether a state failure-to-warn law claim is pre-empted when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has rejected the drug manufacturer’s [...]
Greece Eurozone creditors unblock suspended debt-relief measures
Greece's Eurozone creditors agreed on Saturday to unblock suspended debt-relief measures after Prime Minister Alexis Tspiras assured them that a Christmas gift he offered pensioners would be a "one-off." Last week Greece raised concerns with its...
The Greek Parliament approved new legislation Tuesday cutting pensions and increasing the rate of privatization. The measures were taken in order to satiate creditors and receive aid under the country's third bail-out procedure. Included in the deal...
