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News

Harris County Judge Proposes Controversial Penny Tax to Fund Child Care Program Amid Budget Concerns

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HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo is set to present a proposal for a tax increase to the county commissioners during Thursday’s meeting at Commissioners Court. The plan, referred to as a penny tax, would impose an additional charge of $10 annually for every $100,000 of residential property value. Hidalgo noted that this increase aims to secure ongoing funding for the Early REACH program, which provides free child care for eligible children aged four and under, previously supported by federal COVID-19 relief funds. With those resources dwindling, Hidalgo indicated that alternative funding … Read more

FTC Takes Action: Lawsuit Filed to Block Edwards Lifesciences’ $945M Acquisition of JenaValve Over Antitrust Concerns

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Washington, D.C. — The Federal Trade Commission is taking legal action against Edwards Lifesciences over its plans to acquire JenaValve, raising concerns about potential antitrust violations in the medical device industry. The FTC argues that this acquisition could stifle competition in the market for transcatheter aortic valve replacement devices designed for treating aortic regurgitation. In July 2024, Edwards Lifesciences announced intentions to purchase JenaValve and JC Medical, two notable developers in the transcatheter aortic valve replacement sector. Edwards completed the acquisition of JC Medical in August, paying approximately $320 million, and the FTC warns that … Read more

California Jury Rules Meta Violated Privacy Laws by Illegally Collecting Health Data from Flo App Users

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A San Francisco jury has determined that Meta Platforms Inc. unlawfully gathered health data from users of the Flo period-tracking application, breaching California’s wiretap laws. This ruling emerges from a 2021 lawsuit in which users of the Flo app accused Meta, Alongside Google, Flo itself, and analytics company Flurry, of collecting their private menstrual health information without their consent for targeted advertising. During the trial, evidence indicated that Flo, despite assurances of user privacy, permitted Meta and Google to monitor in-app communications between late 2016 and early 2019. This allegedly contravened California’s Invasion of Privacy … Read more

Exploring the Shadows: Opaque Capital’s Role in Mass Tort Financing at Harvard Law Bankruptcy Roundtable

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BOSTON — A recent discussion at Harvard Law School focused on the intersection of opaque capital and mass tort financing, shedding light on the complexities and challenges within this evolving legal landscape. Experts gathered to examine how financing has transformed the dynamics of mass torts, often leading to disputes over funding transparency and accountability. Mass tort financing has gained momentum as a pivotal strategy for law firms representing large groups of plaintiffs. This model allows attorneys to take on significant cases without the burden of upfront costs, as third-party investors provide the necessary capital. However, … Read more