Similar to phone tracking reports in 2006, reports this week reveal the NSA is again collecting people's phone records — a move that raises serious legal and constitutional concerns.
The Senate's "independent" bloc may block the most promising reform of its generation — campaign finance reform with public financing at its core — one its own members have introduced. In effect, they may filibuster themselves.
Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) quietly introduced an amendment to a pending farm bill that would bar food stamps to certain ex-offenders and reduce the amount of food stamps their families could receive.
In the last two years, lawmakers in 32 states introduced bills outlawing religious, foreign, or international law, creating a host of unintended consequences. Ridding ourselves of these bans is going to be far tougher than many of us ever could have imagined.
Texas, home of some of the worst criminal justice transgressions, passed a bill requiring prosecutors to share more information more quickly with defense attorneys. The vast majority of prosecutorial misconduct occurs in state courts. Hopefully other states see the light.
The Supreme Court is expected to hand down decisions on two far-reaching cases involving the Voting Rights Act and National Voter Registration Act. These key laws guard basic and important protections against infringements on the right to vote.
Lawmakers in Madison are considering a bill that would limit the ability of trial judges to block unconstitutional state laws, putting citizens at risk of irreparable harm from constitutional violations.
In the wake of the horrific Boston Marathon bombings, certain lawmakers were quick to call for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev to be treated as an “enemy combatant." But the idea of deeming Tsarnaev an enemy combatant is not simply without legal basis or practical advantage. It is also dangerous.
The sequester is taking a considerable toll on the courts, the one branch of government not responsible for it. Jurists need to speak out about what the sequester means to the rule of law and to the ability of the courts to dispense justice.
After recent scandals, we need bold action from our state leaders. But reform could be sidetracked by a plan to get rid of "fusion" voting, which limits voter options and has nothing to do with recent events. Instead, Albany leaders must focus on campaign finance reform to empower voters.
The Spying on Americans Never Ended
Similar to phone tracking reports in 2006, reports this week reveal the NSA is again collecting people's phone records — a move that raises serious legal and constitutional concerns.
IDC Has Power to Reform New York Government
The Senate's "independent" bloc may block the most promising reform of its generation — campaign finance reform with public financing at its core — one its own members have introduced. In effect, they may filibuster themselves.
The War on Food Stamps, Criminal Justice Edition
Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) quietly introduced an amendment to a pending farm bill that would bar food stamps to certain ex-offenders and reduce the amount of food stamps their families could receive.
Foreign Law Bans Demonize Islamic Faith
In the last two years, lawmakers in 32 states introduced bills outlawing religious, foreign, or international law, creating a host of unintended consequences. Ridding ourselves of these bans is going to be far tougher than many of us ever could have imagined.
In Texas, a Bold Step Toward Justice
Texas, home of some of the worst criminal justice transgressions, passed a bill requiring prosecutors to share more information more quickly with defense attorneys. The vast majority of prosecutorial misconduct occurs in state courts. Hopefully other states see the light.
U.S. Supreme Court Examines Voting Rights in Two Cases
The Supreme Court is expected to hand down decisions on two far-reaching cases involving the Voting Rights Act and National Voter Registration Act. These key laws guard basic and important protections against infringements on the right to vote.
Wisconsin Lawmakers Should Not Attack Judiciary
Lawmakers in Madison are considering a bill that would limit the ability of trial judges to block unconstitutional state laws, putting citizens at risk of irreparable harm from constitutional violations.
Martial Flaw: Why Tsarnaev Is Not an Enemy Combatant
In the wake of the horrific Boston Marathon bombings, certain lawmakers were quick to call for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev to be treated as an “enemy combatant." But the idea of deeming Tsarnaev an enemy combatant is not simply without legal basis or practical advantage. It is also dangerous.
Getting the Justice Systems We Deserve
The sequester is taking a considerable toll on the courts, the one branch of government not responsible for it. Jurists need to speak out about what the sequester means to the rule of law and to the ability of the courts to dispense justice.
Why New York Needs Healthy Small Parties
After recent scandals, we need bold action from our state leaders. But reform could be sidetracked by a plan to get rid of "fusion" voting, which limits voter options and has nothing to do with recent events. Instead, Albany leaders must focus on campaign finance reform to empower voters.
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