On June 5, California voters will have the opportunity to vote on the statewide primary ballots. In total, there are five propositions that have been written by the California legislative counsel. Along with these five propositions, there will be more than a dozen voter-circulated ballot measures in November's elections. Here's what California residents can expect to see in the ballots next month. Borrowing for the protection of parks and wildlife (Proposition 68): This $4.1 billion bond proposal was drafted last fall. Lawmakers hope this funding could be put towards conservation projects, water resources, and new parks in struggling ... Read More >
May 4
Weird Liquor Laws From Across the U.S.
Legislative history is the foundation for new state laws to be made. While all laws are in place for a reason, there are a few laws that seem strange. Because laws can vary so much from state to state, we're going to look at a few weird liquor laws that can be found in states throughout the country. First up, we have drive-through liquor stores in Arizona. This seems a little strange, seeing as how drinking and driving itself is against the law. Of course, these establishments don't encourage drinking the liquor as soon as drivers pull away from the window, but that doesn't make them any less unusual. Speaking of drinking and driving, ... Read More >
Apr 5
The California Senate Joint Resolution 21: What it’s Asking for
There exists a significant amount of legislation at the state level, as anyone would surmise. Many of the laws passed at the state level are, for the most part, known by residents. However, there are amendments and resolutions that slightly alter or add to those laws; including the Constitution which has been amended 27 times since its creation. These resolutions widely go unnoticed by the public and are often dismissed by the lawmakers themselves once an alteration is passed. These resolutions to state legislation offer little no actual enforcement and are, in essence, forms of recognition or a means to pacify constituents in times of ... Read More >
Mar 15
FAQ: Understanding SLAPP and Anti-SLAPP Laws
If you've ever been in a courtroom, or if you are just addicted to legal television shows and courtroom dramas, you may have heard the term anti-SLAPP. SLAPP laws, or strategic lawsuits against public participation, are exactly what they sound like -- lawsuits designed not to right a wrong, but to intimidate or suppress public action, usually speech. Because corporations usually have the financial resources to fund lawsuits and pay endless legal fees, simply filing a lawsuit against an ordinary citizen is enough to silence them. Looking for more information on SLAPP lawsuits and anti-SLAPP laws? Legal research websites such as Legislative ... Read More >
Jan 23
FAQ: Do All Functions of Government Stop During a Shutdown?
The United States government officially shut down at midnight on Friday, January 19. It's not the first time the federal government has shutdown in the 21st century, and unless there are some radical changes in Washington, D.C., it won't be the last time either. As is traditional during government shutdowns, both parties believe the opposing party is 100% responsible for the shutdown. Republicans in the House of Representatives passed a short-term continuing resolution (CR) that would fund the government for four weeks, but the Senate failed to agree on a spending bill. The disagreement resulted in a government shutdown. In any ... Read More >
Jan 10
California Government Signed These New Laws Into Effect for 2018
Even though it's been over 200 years since the U.S. Constitution was created, new laws go into effect on a regular basis. And with the beginning of the new year, now is a popular time for states to put new state regulations into effect. In fact, California recently signed multiple state regulations. If you're a California resident, or just curious about what rules are changing in the state, you should know the new laws we'll be discussing in this article. Baby-changing tables in men's rooms: For dads out with their babies, they'll no longer have to face the difficulties of finding a place in public to change their babies' diapers. Thanks ... Read More >