Illinois State Senate
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Recent News About Illinois State Senate
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Judge: FACT Act would prevent 'abuse' of double-dipping
HOUSTON – Attorneys double-dipping from asbestos trusts funds that rightfully belong to affected veterans is unacceptable, according to a past American Legion National commander and judge. -
How FACT Act would bring transparency to asbestos claims
Most Americans have seen those TV ads touting “billions of dollars” set aside for victims of mesothelioma, the lethal cancer associated with asbestos exposure. Few realize that these funds are also at the center of a national controversy that disproportionately affects military veterans. -
Texas AG files intervenes in property tax suit against Dumas ISD
AUSTIN— On Aug. 9, Attorney General Ken Paxton intervened in a property tax lawsuit against Dumas Independent School District, stating that the district violated state law and the Texas Constitution when it reduced the district’s local option homestead exemption. -
Austin federal court grants motions to dismiss University of Texas professors' complaint on carry law
AUSTIN – The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas at Austin granted motions to dismiss three University of Texas professors’ complaints against Attorney General Ken Paxton, the University of Texas and the Campus Carry Law on July 6. -
Texas Senate passes bill to tighten state spending limit
AUSTIN – On July 26, the Texas Senate passed Senate Bill 9 by Sen. Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills) to tighten the state spending cap formula and keep future budgets in check. -
Judicially Supervised Plunder
The unexpected retirement of Judge Janice Rogers Brown, 68, from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit will trigger a well-deserved celebration of her extraordinary judicial career, both as a federal appellate judge (since 2005) and previously as a member of the California Supreme Court (1996 to 2005). It will be difficult for President Donald Trump to appoint a replacement that comes anywhere close to filling the shoes of the of the forceful, fearless, and independent Brown, whose nomination by President George W. Bush to the nation’s second most influential court in 2003 was delayed for two years by Democratic opposition.Despite a filibuster in the U.S. Senate, Brown was ultimately confirmed in 2005 by a 56 to 43 vote, when the so-called Gang of 14 reached an agreement to avoid Republicans’ invocation of the “nuclear option.” Hopefully, Brown will continue to serve on the D.C. Circuit as a judge with “senior status.” -
Western District of Texas dismisses diversity challenge against the State Bar of Texas
AUSTIN – On July 5, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas ruled moot a white attorney’s claim of discrimination against the State Bar of Texas. -
Selective Outrage
Is Sen. Kamala Harris the victim of partisan politics, or its savvy practitioner and beneficiary? -
Lee, Cruz: In Trump era, it's time to reassess Western Hemisphere alliances
As citizens of the United States, we recognize the rights of foreign peoples to live and govern themselves as they see fit. Just as the American people would not tolerate another nation dictating to us how to run our country, we believe other people should be able to make their own laws free from outside interference. -
State water code amendment: Another step in the right direction
Greg Abbott promised he would stick to the winning, pro-business ways of his predecessor, Rick Perry – embracing the same threefold goal of “lower taxes, less regulation, and more job creation” – and that's what he's doing. -
RealPage says S.B. 873 eliminates incentives fueling abusive lawsuits against apartment owners
AUSTIN – Earlier this month, Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 873 into law, modifying the Texas water code to benefit apartment owners, operators and their residents, according to RealPage, a provider of software and data analytics to the real estate industry. -
The ADA Litigation Monster
A landmark law to protect the disabled has spawned senseless mandates, abusive lawsuits, and stratospheric costs. -
Houston pension solution challenged by firefighters, expert says city in a ‘world of trouble’ if courts rule against
AUSTIN – For the past year, the pension woes of Houston and Dallas have made headlines. And while both cities acquired legislative patches this session, an expert who has been following the issue suspects the stitching may not hold. -
Texas Supreme Court -- Model of Judicial Integrity, Unlike California
The Texas Supreme Court has a unique structure, reflecting the state’s stubbornly independent-minded culture. Most state supreme courts have jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases and have seven (or fewer) members, who are appointed by the governor and face the voters — if at all — only for periodic “retention” elections. The Texas Supreme Court, in contrast, hears only civil appeals (criminal cases are decided by the co-equal Texas Court of Criminal Appeals) and has nine members, all of whom are subject to statewide partisan elections. The last feature is quite unusual; only seven states select judges in this manner. Despite this distinctive design, the Texas Supreme Court succeeds at steering a steady jurisprudential course in a cautious, low-key style. -
San Antonio files suit against state over immigration law
SAN ANTONIO – On June 1, the city of San Antonio filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking to stop the state's new immigration enforcement law, Senate Bill 4. -
ACLU files for injunction against Senate Bill 4
SAN ANTONIO – The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the ACLU of Texas has filed for a preliminary injunction in an effort to block Texas Senate Bill 4. -
3-D Mammography bill heads to Abbott’s Desk
AUSTIN – On May 28, Texas House Bill 1036 was passed in the Texas Senate on May 28 with very strong support. The bill now heads to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk for signature before becoming law. Because the bill passed with a two-thirds majority vote, HB 1036 will go into effect immediately upon Gov. Abbott’s signing. -
Texas, 13 other states create petition to court to permit Arizona to deny driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants
AUSTIN – On May 1, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that the state would be joining 13 others in petitioning to help grant Arizona the right to deny driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants. -
Texas House passes 3-D breast cancer screening bill
ADDISON – The Texas House of Representatives passed a new bill on May 5 requiring insurance companies in Texas to cover 3-D mammograms for breast cancer screening and diagnosis. -
U.S. Chamber urges Texas governor to sign hailstorm reform legislation
AUSTIN – With both the Texas Senate and House cleared, House Bill 1774, a piece of legislation aimed at ending abusive and frivolous hailstorm litigation, is now on its way to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk.