New York Floats a Crackdown on Independent Workers
Like California’s ruinous A.B. 5, the proposal would greatly harm freelance employment.
Legislation
New California Bill Proposes Legalizing Authentic Cannabis Cafes
Cannabis consumers should have the same commercial leisure spaces that alcohol drinkers do.
This Texas Bill Could Bar Certain Immigrants From Buying Property in the State
Gov. Greg Abbott has already announced that he’d sign the bill if passed.
House Republicans Want a Vote On the FairTax. Is It Worth Supporting?
The status quo is certainly worth challenging.
Fixing Congress' Broken Appropriations Process Is Worth This Mess
This week's Republican revolt against Kevin McCarthy is actually a rank-and-file revolt against the top-down process that both parties have used to control the House in recent years.
Canada Threatens Free Speech in the Guise of Nationalistic Obsessions
Demands by lawmakers and government officials for locally produced content may lead to online censorship.
The Kids Online Safety Act Would Make It Less Safe Online
The bill would amp up surveillance while doing little to actually protect anyone.
Georgia Sets Early Voting Record, Despite Controversial Voting Law
Many opponents, including the president, criticized the law in misleading terms, obscuring its very real issues.
Bill Introduced To Bring Independent Oversight to Federal Prison System
The Federal Prison Oversight Act would create an independent ombudsman to investigate complaints about the Bureau of Prisons, something prison advocacy groups have long called for.
There's Nothing Legacy-Defining About the Inflation Reduction Act
Plus: The editors consider the state of freedom in the U.S. compared with other developed nations.
The Democrats' New Inflation Bill Includes Tax Credits for Electric Vehicles That Don't Exist
Even Democrats are criticizing the bill's unrealistic expectations.
Republicans Seek Child Support Payments for Fetuses
Plus: Judge blocks Title IX guidance, Amazon admits turning over Ring surveillance footage to cops, and more...
New Japanese Law Makes 'Online Insults' a Jailable Offense
Dedication to free speech is in short supply around the world, with Britain and Canada previously considering similar bills.
Here's What Abortion Laws in a Post-Roe World Might Look Like
A pro-life group's model legislation hints at how extreme enforcing abortion bans could get.
Here Is a State-by-State Rundown of What Will Happen Now That SCOTUS Has Freed Lawmakers To Restrict Abortion
Most states are unlikely to enact bans, but 22 either have them already or probably will soon.
A Bipartisan Tech Antitrust Bill May Soon Pass. It's Still a Bad Idea.
The legislation is likely to have a number of negative consequences for consumers.
Josh Hawley Targets Disney With Copyright Legislation
Despite the senator's clear culture war animus, there are things to like about his bill.
Marco Rubio Wants To Fight Abortion and Trans Battles in the Tax Code
Tax loopholes for corporations end up making it easier for politicians like Rubio to meddle in private decision making.
Anti-Tech Antitrust Bill Draws Criticism From All Sides
Plus: CBD could prevent COVID-19, gun owner privacy is at risk in California, and more...
Bipartisan 'Innovation and Choice Online Act' Would Harm Innovation and Choice
In the name of fostering innovation and choice, the bill would accomplish neither.
Legislators Hid a Sneaky Crypto Reporting Provision in the Infrastructure Bill
It's even worse than the widely-skewered broker provision.
Biden's Build Back Better Plan Contains One Potentially Helpful Housing Program
Funding for affordable housing and grants to incentivize streamlining zoning laws could represent a policy win for YIMBYs.
The Good and the Bad in the 666 Bills That Took Effect This Week in Texas
While libertarians will be inclined to applaud some of the new laws, others exemplify familiar conservative excesses.
In Oklahoma and Texas, Parents Who Let Their Kids Play Outside Will No Longer Fear Neglect Charges
The Reasonable Childhood Independence bills restore basic freedoms to kids and their families.
RIP Mark Schlefer, the Man Who Made FOIA Happen
"In the drafting, we were adamant that you didn't have to have an interest to have access. You could just be a citizen."
'See Something, Say Something Online Act' Punishes Big Tech for Not Snitching
Plus: Oregon decriminalizes hard drugs, Kroger closes stores over hazard pay rule, and more...
What Are the Prospects for School Choice Gains in 14 States?
If passed, new laws will give parents more control over how their education dollars are spent.
Meat Bills Are on the Menu in Congress
America's meat supply has been hammered by COVID-19 outbreaks at many of the nation's largest meat processing plants, but Congress can solve this by reducing onerous regulations.
The Case Against Biden: Joe Biden's Politics of Panic
The former vice president has a long history of reckless responses to the menaces du jour.
Section 230's Latest Attacker: The Justice Department
A new DOJ proposal aims to bring the internet communications law in line with Trump's personal interpretation of it.
Is the Senate Filibuster a 'Jim Crow Relic' That Should Be Abolished in the Name of Democracy?
Politicians' opinions about the maneuver depend on which party is in power.
I Don't Want To Be Anybody's Employee
The push to reclassify independent contractors is harming many of the workers it's supposed to help.
Will Pandemic Fears Grease the Way for Authoritarian Gun Controls?
Lawmakers are peddling restrictions on self-defense and other rights to a frightened public.
Senators Propose Limits on Police Use of Facial Recognition
Some privacy activists say the bill still falls short.
Ro Khanna Hopes This Bill Will Pave the Way to Repealing FOSTA
Since FOSTA passed in 2018, "sex workers have faced increased violence" and "have been forced onto the streets," the California congressman says.
How Faint Bruises on Baby Ava Nearly Destroyed Her Family
Proposed federal legislation would move overstressed child protection systems in the wrong direction.
The Jurisdictional Nexus Act
Congress should fix its FGM statute—and all the other ones too.
Clean Slate Act Would Seal Marijuana Possession Convictions
Plus: marijuana in the 2020 election, Harris follows up on voting behind bars, another Palm Beach massage arrest, and more...
Over-the-Counter Birth Control Bill Launched by Senate Republicans
It would fast-track FDA review of applications to free the pill from prescriptions and let people use health savings accounts for non-Rx drugs.
The McConnell Era Has Been Terrible for American Politics
The Senate majority leader delivers hollow partisan victories and little else.
Congress Ramps Up War on Sex Workers and Their Customers With Secret Votes on Four New 'Protection' Laws
A national strategy for arresting sex buyers and letting local cops wiretap sex workers are among the approved changes.
The California Legislature Is Finally Out of Session. Here's How Much Damage It Did This Year.
No man's life, liberty or property are safe while the legislature is in session. That goes double in California.
Louisiana Congressman Wants to Drug-Test All of Congress
Because that's totally going to fix congressional incompetence.
Tax Bill Mixes Very Encouraging Developments With Very Disappointing Ones
The GOP would be on higher ground if it stood on principle for a tax code that treats everyone the same.
Wiretapping Sex Workers, Punishing Pre-Crime, and National Strategy to Stop Sex-Buyers Approved by Senate
Congress moves to grant Trump administration vast new policing powers, because "sex trafficking."
They Won't Stop at Backpage
The "Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act" would not stop sexual exploitation. But it could blow up the legal framework that supports the internet as we know it.
