The US Supreme Court unanimously refused Wednesday to overturn precedent that gives power to agencies are when interpreting their own regulations. The majority opinion, authored by Justice Elena Kagan, detailed ways to constrain this heavy agency deference, commonly known as the Auer doctrine. The case, Kisor v. Wilkie, revolved around the Department of Veteran Affairs [...]
The US Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that a mandatory minimum sentence issued at revocation of supervised release based on a new crime without a jury trial is unconstitutional. United States v. Haymond addresses the case of Andre Haymond, who was originally convicted on charges of possessing child pornography. Haymond served 38 months in prison and [...]
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday in favor of an ordinance banning the sale and distribution of e-cigarettes in the city. The ordinance will now be presented to the mayor, who will have 10 days to sign the legislation. Many cities and states have already raised the legal age for purchasing tobacco [...]
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont signed a bill into law Tuesday that provides paid family and medical leave to workers in the state. Under the new law, workers in Connecticut can take up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave. Workers in Connecticut can use this to care for a new child or to [...]
US Representatives Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Matt Gaetz (R-FL) on Tuesday introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to prohibit funding for US military action against Iran without Congress’ approval. The amendment provides that “no Federal funds may be used for any use of military force in or against Iran unless Congress [...]
US District Judge Emmet Sullivan on Tuesday declined President Donald Trump’s motion to put a case challenging his business dealings with foreign governments on hold while it goes through the appeals process. The Trump administration appealed Sullivan’s decision to allow Democratic lawmakers to obtain Trump’s financial records to verify whether his administration has violated the [...]
The US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit on Tuesday granted a motion to remand the Fifth Amendment equal protection claim and the 42 USC § 1985 claim in a Maryland case against Wilbur Ross, US Secretary of Commerce, where the plaintiff claimed that the motives behind the addition of a citizenship question to [...]
The US Supreme Court on Monday granted certiorari in eight cases, taking on such as issues as whether states can copyright their laws and whether insurers are entitled to Affordable Care Act (ACA) money for “risk corridor” payments. In Georgia v. Public.Resource.org, the state is suing to be able to copyright annotations in its official [...]
The Administrative Court in Montreuil, France held Tuesday that the state is liable to a mother (Mrs. T) and daughter, for inadequacy of air quality. Mrs. T brought the claim with the backing of NGOs after both herself and her daughter suffered respiratory health issues including bronchitis and asthma. Mrs. T said that both of [...]
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker on Tuesday signed a bill that will legalize recreational marijuana. The legislation is intended to regulate and license the sale, possession and consumption of marijuana. Those charged with marijuana possession under 30 grams will have their records expunged and those convicted of possessing more than that are eligible for pardon if [...]
