PORTSMOUTH, New Hampshire: In a precedent setting case this past week, the New Hampshire Supreme Court ruled in favor of Epping volunteer firefighter Jason Antosz when he sued a citizen after falling on ice on the citizen’s driveway during a fire call. The case challenges the “Fireman’s Rule” which prevents firefighters from suing citizens during [...]

Edited by Bailey Ludlam The 2011 and 2012 totals mirrored each other this week, as each were nudged up by one thanks to Ohio and Rhode Island. Although both measures are legislative referrals, they bring different topics to the table. Starting with 2011′s addition, Ohio lawmakers decided to send a measure to voters to raise [...]

By David Godow ATLANTA, Georgia: Georgia’s tough new immigration law may be running into early trouble following federal circuit court Judge Thomas Thrash’s June 27 injunction against two of its key elements. The injunction, filed in response to the suit against the law by the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups, partially upheld the [...]

By Bailey Ludlam Earlier this week, the United States Supreme Court struck down Arizona’s campaign finance matching provision, citing a violation of the First Amendment. Less than a week later, the ruling has impacted not one, but at least two states. Florida On Wednesday, June 29, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle emulated the SCOTUS ruling [...]

By Bailey Ludlam MADISON, Wisconsin: Elections to the state’s high court may be coming to an end. In an effort to reduce “influence by special interest money,” Sens. Dale Schultz and Tim Cullen propose the creation of a judicial selection committee. Specifically, the proposed legislatively-referred constitutional amendment would create a judicial selection commission, selected by [...]

LANSING, Michigan: A 2008 medical marijuana measure continues to create confusion about enforcement and draws calls for reform. Since it’s approval in 2008, reports have indicated uneven enforcement by prosecutors, law enforcement and judges. In 2010, some local governments approved a six-month moratorium on new medical marijuana operations while officials considered future regulations. For the [...]

By Al Ortiz WASHINGTON, District of Columbia: On June 27, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Arizona’s Clean Elections Act was a violation of the First Amendment rights of candidates who raise private money for their campaigns. The law was struck down by the court, in a 5 to 4 decision, with Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. [...]

by David Godow ST. PAUL, Minnesota: In an effort to break through a budget deadlock that could see Minnesota’s government close its doors next week, Attorney General Lori Swanson asked Ramsey County judge Kathleen Gearin on Thursday to assume extraordinary powers to mitigate the risk of total shutdown when the existing budget expires on July [...]

JACKSON, Mississippi: The fight in the state’s high court has begun, as opponents of Initiative 26 – the proposed personhood amendment – attempt to strip the measure of ballot access and keep it away from voters during the 2011 general election. The Mississippi Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments from Liberty Counsel, who will [...]

JACKSON, Mississippi: In what is the third piece of litigation filed against a 2011 Mississippi ballot measure, it was reported on June 5, 2011 that a lawsuit was filed in Hinds County Circuit Court challenging the proposed citizen-initiated eminent domain amendment. The lawsuit was filed against the Mississippi Secretary of State‘s office by Leland Speed, [...]