News from August 2009
Charges dropped against Texas SC justice's wife
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline)-Felony arson criminal mischief charges have dismissed against Francisca Medina, the wife of Texas Supreme Court Justice David Medina.
Iowa court: No taxes on Internet service
DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline)-The Iowa Supreme Court has sided with America Online LLC, ruling that there should not be a tax on Internet service.
Jindal calls on AG Caldwell to investigate shrimpers' claims of collusion
Buddy Caldwell (D) NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline)-The Louisiana attorney general has been asked by the governor to investigate complaints by shrimpers who are facing historically low prices.
Brown urged to investigate hospital giant
Jerry Brown (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-A group of Democratic state lawmakers is urging California Attorney General Jerry Brown to investigate Sutter Health over its business practices.
Miller penalizes steel manufacturer
Tom Miller (D) DES MOINES, Iowa. (Legal Newsline) - Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller has ordered a Keokuk-based steel plant to pay $220,000 in fines for violating air pollution laws.
Conn. AG to appeal public campaign financing ruling
Blumenthal HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is planning to appeal a Thursday decision that says a public campaign financing system violates the rights of minor political parties.
Ohio SC upholds new mother's firing
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline)-An Ohio company did not break the law when it fired a woman for taking unauthorized breaks to pump milk from her breasts, the Ohio Supreme Court has ruled.
Schwarzenegger signs bill aimed at reducing lawsuits
Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a bill that allows insurance settlements to proceed faster and reduce the amount of cases brought through the California court system, a tort reform group said.
Calif. insurance regulator sues to block State Fund sale
Steve Poizner (R) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner on Friday plans to sue the governor to stop efforts to sell $1 billion worth of a state-run workers' compensation insurance company's assets.
Feds, Madigan sue over coal-fired plants
Lisa Madigan (D) SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline)-Federal officials on Thursday filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Illinois attorney general and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, alleging that a company that runs six coal-fired power plants in the state is flouting federal air pollution laws.
Mass. SC rules for out-of-state business in sales tax dispute
Marshall BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - The Commonwealth of Massachusetts may not collect taxes on merchandise sold by an out-of-state company to Massachusetts residents, the state Supreme Court ruled Wednesday.
McKenna reaches deal with power company
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) - Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna on Wednesday announced his office has reached a settlement with Portland-based Pacific Power which will reduce the proposed size of electric rates.
TVA must install pollution controls during public nuisance appeal
Cooper ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Legal Newsline) - The decision to have Tennessee Valley Authority spend hundreds of millions of dollars in pollution controls at four of its power plants won't be stayed during the company's appeal.
Casinos to pay state $25 million
Richard Blumenthal (D) HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline)-Two major casinos in Connecticut have agreed to pay $25 million in slot revenue over a promotional game that allowed players to play for free.
Oregon AG takes aim at home foreclosure scams
John Kroger (D) SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline)-Oregon Attorney General John Kroger said Wednesday he is cracking down on loan modification companies that engage in deceptive and misleading business practices.
CashCall settles with Brown over its lending practices
Jerry Brown (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-Fast money is not always easy money. Desperate consumers were finding that out the hard way, said California Attorney General Jerry Brown.
Cox wants insurance companies to pay for bridge
Mike Cox (R) LANSING Mich. (Legal Newsline)-The Michigan attorney general wants three insurance companies to reimburse the state $3.4 million for the cost of rebuilding Nine Mile Bridge.
Van Hollen reaches settlement in wetlands violations suit
J.B. Van Hollen (R) MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline)-Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced a $45,000 settlement on Tuesday, in the Marinette County wetlands violations case.
McMaster officially running for governor
McMaster COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) - South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster made his candidacy for governor official Monday.
Brief says pay-to-play taken to 'new heights' in Pa.
Rendell HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) - A contingency fee contract awarded to a Houston firm by Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell is the ultimate example of "pay-to-play," the Washington Legal Foundation recently argued.