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The Best and Worst States for Lawsuits
For the past fifteen years, the Institute for Legal Reform has routinely conducted a survey involving corporate litigators and company senior executives. This survey has become a reliable benchmark for…
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Keeping Ohio Competitive
ALEC-FreedomWorks State Legislator of the Week This week, ALEC and FreedomWorks introduce Ohio State Representative Rob McColley from the Buckeye state’s 81st district. McColley represents Putnam, Henry and Williams…
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Illinois Becomes Latest State to Reform Civil Forfeiture
The trend of states reforming their civil asset forfeiture process has continued. This week, Governor Bruce Rauner signed House Bill 303 (HB 303), which…
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Arkansas Fumbles the Ball With Fantasy Sports Tax
Rotisserie league and general fantasy sports betting contests have existed for decades. With the internet, now millions can compete in daily and season-long fantasy sports contests, often with entry fees…
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The Williams Report
Fiscal: Connecticut: Lt. Governor Breaks Tie in State Senate, Approves Contract for State Workers Democratic Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman voted on party lines to break the tie and pass…
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Full & Fair Noneconomic Damages Act
Model Policy Section 1. {Title} This Act shall be called and may be cited as the “Full and Fair Noneconomic Damages Act.” Section 2. {Findings} (A) The…
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United States House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means Written Testimony
Dear Chairman Brady, Ranking Member Neal, and Members of the Committee, Thank you for the opportunity to comment throughout this important policy discussion. By way of background, my name is…
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State of the Commonwealth: Massachusetts
Overall, however, the state’s steps towards economic competitiveness are yielding results. Governor Baker rightfully recognized this achievement, “We built a bipartisan team, worked in partnership with the legislature and looked for common ground.” Shrinking the state’s budget gap by over $1 billion without tax or fee increases is just one example.
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Iowa Places Limits on Civil Asset Forfeiture Practices
Iowa became the latest state to improve its civil asset forfeiture laws. In many states across the country, government agencies need merely a preponderance of evidence to obtain a judgment…
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Michigan Passes Criminal Justice Reform Package
Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has recently signed into law a package of bills which reforms the state’s criminal justice system. The package includes 18 bills which address parole and…
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Mississippi Joins Several States in Passing Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform
Mississippi recently passed a law that will make the asset forfeiture process more open and transparent. Governor Phil Bryant signed HB 812 which improves its civil asset forfeiture process…
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Tar Heel State Considers Ban-the-Box Policies
“Ban-the-box” legislation is currently gaining momentum in North Carolina. If passed, House Bill 233 would require public employers to delay, but not prevent, inquiry into a person’s criminal history,…
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Illinois Legislature Proposes to Reform State’s Civil Asset Forfeiture Laws
Civil asset forfeiture reform is a major topic in 2017. Many states are considering legislation that would replace civil asset forfeiture with criminal forfeiture. Illinois is currently addressing such reforms…
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Raise the Age Efforts Gain Momentum
In most states, the maximum age an individual can be tried as an adult is 17. Currently, there are only five states that treat 17-year-olds as adults in criminal…
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Criminal Justice Policy a Hot Topic at CPAC
At the Conservative Political Action Committee, criminal justice reform was a productive topic of discussion. Panelists Marc Levin of Right on Crime, Pat Nolan of the American Conservative Union, Louisiana…
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Setting the Record Straight on Open Contracting
An interesting exchange occurred in the Wisconsin Senate last Wednesday. During discussion of a bill that would prohibit the state of Wisconsin or political subdivisions from requiring Project Labor…
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Michigan Legislator Seeks to Replace Civil Asset Forfeiture with Criminal Forfeiture
Michigan is poised to become the next state to address civil asset forfeiture reform thanks to Representative Peter Lucido. Civil asset forfeiture reform has become a very important issue for…
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Tax and Expenditure Limitation Act
Model Policy {Title, enacting clause, etc.} Section 1. {Election Provisions} For any fiscal year that commences on or after____ state and local government districts must have voter approval in advance…
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The Prosperity States Initiative: A Policy Lesson from When Harry Met Sally
According to various reports recently published by the Cato Institute, Fraser Institute, Legatum Institute, the Swiss Liberalis Foundation and the Heritage Foundation, the United States clearly no longer ranks among…
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ALEC Continues Criminal Justice Reform Efforts
The 1990s saw Americans broadly favor tough on crime policies. Both political parties strongly supported such measures, including then-President Bill Clinton and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. However,…