When Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) introduced a resolution calling for Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) to step down, a lot of people were eager to dismiss his actions as those of a lone loon with nothing to lose. When a member of Congress so publicly challenges the leadership of their own party, it’s always a long shot, but it’s important to understand why what Meadows is asking is neither crazy, nor unreasonable.
Meadows’ list of grievances, if one takes the time to read it, does not read like some fringe manifesto. What Meadows is asking for is what all of Congress should be demanding, a fair and open process with the sort of oversight and accountability that is appropriate for the country’s principal lawmaking body. Read More here...
2. Sen. Mike Lee on Civil Asset Forfeiture
3. FCC Commissioner Says Broadband Taxes Are Coming. -by Logan Albright
When the FCC announced that it was going to regulate internet service providers as telecommunications companies, the agency was careful to assuage fears about regulatory overreach. The final rule took pains to assure us that the only purpose of a more heavily regulated internet was to enforce the principle of Net Neutrality, a workaround of a federal court’s decision that the agency was exceeding its authority.
A federal Net Neutrality mandate is bad policy on its own, but the further reaching regulations the FCC ultimately adopted were far worse. Recognizing this, Commissioner Tom Wheeler told us not to worry. The agency was going to use “forbearance,” meaning it had no plans to use the new powers it had granted itself. Read more here.
4. Uber Fights Massachusetts State House In Order To Stay in Business With Unlikely Supporter - by Remso Martinez
The never ending war on Uber is, well, still not ending! Uber is currently circulating a petition amongst its Boston users in advance of a proposed bill in the Massachusetts state House that would essentially place harsh regulation on Uber and other ridesharing services. The bill proposed by State Rep. Michael Moran and Sen. Linda Dorcena-Forry:
"Would require drivers to undergo fingerprint-based background checks and obtain commercial insurance. Uber and Lyft utilize their own background check systems, and the companies cover drivers at a commercial rate while rides are in progress."For the first time, this bill has brought two unlikely allies together. Of course, Uber, the app-based ridesharing service constantly attacked by progressives and taxi unions, which hold the monopoly on private transportation services in most of the country. Surprisingly, considering they often push for more regulation on app-based ridesharing services), taxi unions are against this bill, along with a similar legislation proposed by the governor recently. The reason they are opposed to the bill is because it would lump them in the same category as every other ridesharing service provider. Read more here...
5. Yes, Civil Asset Forfeiture Denies Innocent People of Their Right to Due Process - by Jason Pye
Oklahoma has some of the worst civil asset forfeiture laws in the country. According to FreedomWorks' state scorecard, Civil Asset Forfeiture: Grading the States, the standard of proof the government needs to subject property allegedly connected to a crime to forfeiture is too low and, in an inversion of justice, the property owner, who may never be charged with a crime, must show that the property was obtained through legal means to get it back. Additionally, a perverse profit motive exists, as Oklahoma law enforcement agencies can keep up to 100 percent of the proceeds from forfeitures.
For these reasons, FreedomWorks gave Oklahoma a "D-" for its civil asset forfeiture laws. State Sen. Kyle Loveless (R-Oklahoma City), however, introduced legislation, SB 838, near the end of the 2015 session that would overhaul Oklahoma's dreadful civil asset forfeiture laws. The bill would restore due process and protect innocent people's property. Unfortunately, some law enforcement official are fighting back against the proposal, frequently using hyperbolic rhetoric to disparage the reform effort. Read more here...
6. Liberty Kitty Meets Occupational Licensure -By Sarah Gompper
7. EPA: A Rogue Agency - by Michael Greibrok
The Fourth Circuit has joined a growing number of courts, including the Supreme Court, in slapping down actions by the EPA. The court recently denied the EPA’s challenge to a discovery order from a federal judge in West Virginia.
The case, Murray Energy Corp. et al. v. Gina McCarthy, involves §321 of the Clean Air Act. This section creates a nondiscretionary duty for the EPA to conduct continuing evaluations of potential loss or shifts in employment due to EPA regulations under authority of the Clean Air Act. Read more here...
Iris Somberg
Press Secretary, FreedomWorks
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