News from July 2008
Shurtleff to testify before Congress on polygamous sect
Mark Shurtleff (R) SALT LAKE CITY (Legal Newsline)-Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff will testify before a U.S. Senate panel investigating a polygamous sect in Texas, Utah and Colorado, his spokesman said Tuesday.
Study: Arbitration a better venue for consumers than courtrooms
Lisa Rickard WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-An analysis of thousands of debt collection cases shows that arbitration is a better venue for consumers to settle disputes than are already crowded courthouses.
Blumenthal: Gov. Rell's plan needs legislature's support
Blumenthal HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal on Monday criticized Gov. Jodi Rell's plans to use funds from a multi-state greenhouse gas initiative for ratepayer relief.
Gasoline discounts for cash customers may be spreading
Lynch PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) - Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch joined one of his colleagues Monday in recommending discounts for those who pay for gasoline with cash.
Calif. Supreme Court overturns open space tax
Ming Chin SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline)- A special fee on some Silicon Valley homeowners to pay for open space acquisition was struck down Monday by the California Supreme Court.
Power company faces N.C.'s nuisance suit
Cooper ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Legal Newsline) - The emissions of the largest public power company in the country are being put to the controversial public-nuisance test Monday in a federal court in North Carolina.
AG Nixon leads in Missouri gubernatorial race
Jay Nixon (D) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline)-Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon leads in the race to be the Show Me State's next governor, a poll indicates.
Tort reform measures fail to qualify for Oregon ballot
Russ Walker SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline)-Two proposed ballot initiatives aimed at providing tort reform in Oregon fell short of the signatures required to qualify for the ballot, officials said.
Nevada justices consider term limits law
Nevada Supreme Court Building CARSON CITY, Nev. (Legal Newsline)-The Nevada Supreme Court hears oral arguments today in a case that questions the constitutionality of the state's term limits rule that was approved twice by voters in the Silver State.
Restaurants fight new menu law
Kevin Westlye SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline)--A food fight is getting underway over a new law mandating nutrition labels on San Francisco restaurant menus, industry representatives told Legal Newsline.
Democrats target Michigan chief justice
Clifford Taylor LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) -Democrats are taking aim at the Michigan Supreme Court chief justice, calling on him not to block a proposal they're backing that would cut judges' pay.
Harris calls for open records safeguards
Jeff Harris COLUMBIA, Mo. (Legal Newline)-Democratic attorney general hopeful Jeff Harris is calling for an overhaul of Missouri's open government laws.
Brown, King highest paid AGs
Jerry Brown (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-At $184,301, California Attorney General Jerry Brown is the highest-paid of any attorney general in the nation,a Legal Newsline salary survey found.
Michigan judge fights to remain on the bench
Steven Servaas LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline)-A Michigan judge will make his case today to remain on the bench amid allegations he made demeaning comments to a court employee and sketched inappropriate drawings on court records.
UPDATE: Exxon Valdez plaintiffs seek interest award
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-Thousands of plaintiffs in the Exxon Valdez case who recently had their punitive damage award slashed by the U.S. Supreme Court are asking the high court to ensure that Exxon pays them interest.
Pfizer faces lawsuits over anti-smoking drug Chantix
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (Legal Newsline)-Pfizer's smoking-cessation drug Chantix could be the latest drug to land in the crosshairs of U.S. plaintiffs' attorneys, two new lawsuits suggest.
Age bias ruling could lead to flood of employment lawsuits
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling could pave the way for lawsuits by employees laid off as businesses cut jobs amid a declining economy, an analyst said.
Starr may defend Arizona's English learner funding
Ken Starr PHOENIX, Ariz. (Legal Newsline) -An attorney best known for his role in the impeachment trial of U.S. President Bill Clinton has been hired by the Arizona state Legislature to defend its position that it spends enough money to teach English learner students.
McDaniel calls public pension proposal questionable
Dustin McDaniel (D) LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline)-Legislation in Arkansas that would eliminate state retirement system's deferred retirement plan for certain workers might not pass legal muster, state Attorney General Dustin McDaniel said.
Funeral home owner still under attack by AG McGraw
McGraw WHEELING, W. Va. (Legal Newsline) - West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw recently received authority to continue his case against a bankrupt funeral home.