The US Supreme Court Monday heard oral arguments in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis. The Court will decide whether Colorado’s Antidiscrimination Act compels an artist to speak or stay silent and whether the law violates the First Amendment. Lorie Smith, the owner of 303 Creative, wishes to design wedding websites but would like to post [...]
The US Supreme Court Monday heard oral arguments in Percoco v. United States. The issue before the court was whether a private citizen, who is not a government employee but has informal governmental decision making power, owes a duty to the public and can be convicted of honest-services fraud. The case stemmed from activities that [...]
The New Zealand Supreme Court Monday ruled in favor of lowering the country’s voting age from 18 to 16. The court stated that the voting age requirement of 18 violated the right to freedom from discrimination on the basis of age. Following the court’s decision, the New Zealand Parliament will consider the issue and decide [...]
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Tuesday urged world leaders gathered for the G20 summit to adopt his 10-point proposal for peace in Ukraine. The war in Ukraine was center stage at the G20 summit, which concluded Wednesday with a collective condemnation of the war in Ukraine. At the summit, Zelensky said that Ukraine will not let [...]
The United States Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Monday sanctioned 28 entities and 14 individuals that provide technology to the Russian military. The sanctions, part of a worldwide effort to disrupt Russia’s war in Ukraine, prohibit any transactions with the people or property subject to the sanctions within the United States. Under the [...]
In the wake of the US Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson overruling Roe v. Wade, residents of Vermont Tuesday voted to pass Proposal 5 amending the state constitution to formally include a right to reproductive freedom. The final vote was 211,157 in favor of adoption and 63,995 against. The amendment, as added to [...]
Residents of Vermont Tuesday voted to adopt Proposal 2 that amends the state constitution to repeal language permitting slavery and indentured servitude. The final vote was overwhelming with 237,097 in favor of the amendment and 30,255 against. Vermont was the first state in the United States to adopt a constitution in 1777. The constitution prohibited [...]
Voters in Iowa Tuesday overwhelmingly voted to adopt a constitutional amendment allowing people to keep and bear firearms. The final vote was 745,118 in favor to 398,881 against. This will make Iowa the 45th state to include the right to keep and bear firearms in its state constitution. The amendment as ratified reads: Right to [...]
Voters in Oregon Tuesday adopted a ballot measure to place stricter requirements on gun ownership. The final vote was close with 740,335 in favor and 716,656 against, as of the time of this report. The new measure requires Oregonians to obtain a permit from the state police before acquiring a firearm. The applicant must pay [...]
The US Supreme Court Monday heard oral arguments in Securities and Exchange Commission v. Cochran. The court will decide whether the federal district courts have the ability to hear challenges against US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proceedings, or whether those challenges must remain within the SEC’s administrative courts. Michelle Cochran was a public accountant [...]
