Federal Judge Rules in Favor of Conservative Group, Demanding Access to Voter Rolls for Database Expansion

Santa Fe, New Mexico – A federal judge has issued a ruling stating that New Mexico election officials violated the National Voter Registration Act by refusing to provide voter rolls to a conservative group and its public online database. U.S. District Court Judge James Browning’s decision largely favors the Voter Reference Foundation, which seeks to expand a free database of registered voters to allow other organizations and individuals to search for potential fraud. However, critics argue that making voter lists widely available could expose sensitive information to bad actors or potentially disenfranchise voters through intimidation … Read more

Connecticut Governor Calls for Expansion of Paid Sick Days Statutes to Protect More Workers

HARTFORD, Conn. – Governor Ned Lamont is urging the General Assembly to pass legislation that would expand and strengthen Connecticut’s paid sick days laws. Lamont, along with State Senator Julie Kushner and other lawmakers, emphasized the need for this expansion during a press conference. They argued that the current law leaves many workers without protection. Lamont’s proposal aims to ensure that more workers in the state have the opportunity to take time off when they are sick or need to care for a sick family member. It also includes safeguards for small businesses to prevent … Read more

Louisville Judge Urges Expansion of Mental Health Courts to Break Cycle of Incarceration

Louisville, Kentucky – In her speech at the annual “Spirit of Peace” dinner hosted by NAMI Louisville, Judge Stephanie Burke called for the establishment of more mental health courts throughout Kentucky. The group, which aids individuals with mental illness, received Burke’s support as she emphasized the need for these specialized courts in the state. Burke, who spearheaded the creation of Kentucky’s first program for court-ordered assisted outpatient treatment in 2019, highlighted the significance of programs like these in breaking the cycle of hospitalization and incarceration. Expressing concern over the over-incarceration of the mentally ill, Burke … Read more

Federal Judge Blocks National Labor Relations Board’s Expansion of Joint Employment Definition, Protecting Franchisor-Franchisee Relationships

Houston, Texas – A federal judge in Texas has temporarily blocked the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) from implementing a new rule that would expand the definition of joint employment. The ruling comes one day before the rule was set to take effect. The regulation, which aimed to increase franchisors’ responsibility for labor violations committed by their franchisees and require both entities to negotiate with employee unions, was challenged in court by a coalition of business groups including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the International Franchise Association, the Restaurant Law Center, and the Texas Restaurant … Read more