Chicago Cops Use Asset Forfeiture Funds to Buy Drones “Off the Books”
By Mike Maharrey Asset forfeiture funds help build the ever-growing national surveillance state. Civil asset forfeiture is a pernicious policy in its own right. It…
Mike Maharrey
Now in Effect: Virginia Law Takes First Step to Support Sound Money
By Michael Maharrey On Jan. 1, a Virginia law that repeals sales taxes from some purchases of gold and silver went into effect. It represents an…
Now in Effect: New Hampshire Law Bans Warrantless Stingray Spying
By Michael Maharrey A New Hampshire law that bans the use of “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications without…
Federal Programs are Helping Local Police Buy Surveillance Drones
By Michael Maharrey Local law enforcement agencies around the country are acquiring drones at a dizzying pace, often with financing from the federal government, asset…
Signed as Law: Nevada Legalizes Commercial Hemp Production, Despite Federal Prohibition
By Michael Maharrey Today, Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval signed a bill into law to legalize commercial industrial hemp production in the state, despite a federal ban…
New Montana Law Takes On Warrantless Electronic Data Collection
By Michael Maharrey Yesterday, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock signed a bill to require police to get a warrant in order to obtain electronic communication information…
West Virginia Ends State-Run Obamacare Exchange
By Michael Maharrey Last Friday, Gov. Jim Justice (D-West Virginia) signed a bill to shut down the state-run Obamacare health insurance exchange. Once in effect this…
Arizona Senate Committee Passes Bill Taking On State, Federal Asset Forfeiture
By Michael Maharrey Today, an Arizona Senate committee voted unanimously to pass a bill reforming the state’s asset forfeiture laws. The bill also takes on…
To The Governor: New Mexico Passes Electronic Communications Privacy Act
By Michael Maharrey Last week, the New Mexico House gave final approval for a bill known as the Electronic Communication Privacy Act. If signed by the…
North Dakota House Passes Bill Taking On Asset Forfeiture And Closing Federal Loophole
By Michael Maharrey A North Dakota bill that would reform the state’s asset forfeiture laws to prohibit the state from taking property without a criminal…
New Mexico House Passes Bill To Decriminalize Industrial Hemp; Foundation To Nullify Federal Prohibition
By Mike Maharrey The New Mexico House overwhelmingly passed a bill that would decriminalize industrial hemp yesterday. Passage into law would set the stage for the people…
Montana Committee Passes Bill To Limit ALPR Use, Help Block National License Plate Tracking Program
By Michael Maharrey A Montana bill that would limit the use of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) in the state, and place significant roadblocks in…
Arizona House Passes Bill To Support Sound Money
By Michael Maharrey An Arizona bill that would eliminate state capital gains taxes on gold and silver specie, and encourage its use as currency, passed…
Arizona Committee Passes Bill To Prohibit Warrantless Stingray Spying
By Michael Maharrey An Arizona bill that would ban the use of “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications without…