COVID Technologies Feeding Into The Global Surveillance State
By Mike Maharrey In another frightening example of “mission creep,” governments around the world are using technologies developed during the COVID-19 pandemic to expand dragnet…
Mike Maharrey
South Carolina Bill Would Take First Step Toward Limiting Federal Militarization of Local Police
By Mike Maharrey A bill prefiled in the South Carolina House for the 2023 legislative session would take the first step toward limiting federal militarization…
Montana Voters Approve Constitutional Amendment to Treat Electronic Data as “Persons, Houses, Papers and Possessions”
By Michael Maharrey Montana voters overwhelmingly approved a state constitutional amendment that elevates the privacy of a person’s electronic communications and data to the same…
Maryland Voters Legalize Adult-Use Marijuana Despite Ongoing Federal Cannabis Prohibition
By Michael Maharrey Today, Maryland voters approved a ballot measure legalizing adult-use marijuana in the state despite ongoing federal cannabis prohibition. Maryland voters passed Question…
General Welfare isn’t Supposed to be a Blank Check
By Mike Maharrey The general welfare clause is not a blank check. A lot of people think it is. They believe the federal government can…
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…
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…