News from June 2008
Congressional panel to consider arbitration bill
Rep. Linda S'nchez WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-A congressional panel will consider a proposal Tuesday aimed at eliminating binding arbitration clauses in nursing home contracts.
29 states urge U.S. Supreme Court to hear Hawaii ceded lands case
Mark Bennett HONOLULU (Legal Newsline)-Twenty-nine states have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to accept an appeal by Hawaii Attorney General Mark Bennett, who wants the high court to overturn a recent state court decision that prevents Hawaii from selling or transferring ceded lands.
Study: Settling injury claims early saves money
Jeffrey O'Connell CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (Legal Newsline)-By promptly settling personal injury lawsuits rather than fighting claims in court, businesses can save an average of $114,000 per tort claim or $670,000 for severe injuries, a study suggests.
Brown remains on presidential sidelines
Jerry Brown SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)--California Attorney General Jerry Brown has yet to respond to calls for Democrats to unite behind a presidential candidate.
Masto to asked to join Yucca Mountain opposition team
Catherine Cortez Masto CARSON CITY, Nev. (Legal Newsline)-Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto has been asked to participate in a coalition of state officials opposed to the planned nuclear repository at Yucca Mountain.
Nebraska AG says petition circulators have no right to private property
LINCOLN, Neb. (Legal Newsline)-- Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning has said that petition circulators don't have a right to remain on private property if asked to leave.
Virginia justices reject lawsuit against Randolph College admitting men
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline)-The Virginia state Supreme Court has dismissed a lawsuit challenging Randolph College's decision to admit men.
Masto: Proceed cautiously on tobacco securitization
Atty. Gen. Catherine Cortez Masto CARSON CITY, Nev. (Legal Newsline)-A plan to securitize Nevada's tobacco settlement payments to help plug a $1 billion revenue shortfall could jeopardize future funds from the Master Settlement Agreement, Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto warns.
Blumenthal backs Cuomo agreement
Blumenthal HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Applauding his colleague in New York, Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal on Thursday said he hopes the strong start to reform in the credit rating industry continues.
Hood's had it with federal judge
Hood JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - Upset with a federal judge's criticism of his relationship with famed plaintiffs attorney and admitted felon Richard "Dickie" Scruggs, Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood said Friday he is planning to fight back.
Judge blocks seizure of e-bingo machines
Brown SACRAMENTO, Calif.(Legal Newsline)--A federal judge has blocked the California Bureau of Gambling Control from seizing electronic bingo machines, saying doing so would cause irreparable harm to the charities that use the devices for a significant portion of their funding.
Kansas AG hints at 2010 run
Steve Six TOPEKA, Kansas (Legal Newsline)-Kansas Attorney General Steve Six said Thursday he is thinking about running for a full four-year term.
Gansler's home builders unit busy with registration violations
Gansler BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) - Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler is not allowing a Greensboro man to register as a home builder because of an unpaid court award.
Credit rating agencies, Cuomo come to understanding
Cuomo NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said Thursday that changes are coming in the non-prime residential mortgage market because of his agreements with the nation's principal credit rating agencies.
Dann still under fire from Ohio officials
Taylor COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - Despite leaving public office, the spotlight still shines on former Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann.
Pence not on the fence about running
Pence INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) - Indianapolis attorney Linda Pence is making her first rounds as an official candidate for Attorney General Thursday.
California's $3.5 million drug database 'bank vault' safe, says Brown
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline)--California will launch a massive online database of prescription drugs aimed at preventing "doctor shopping" and other abuses by both patients and doctors, Attorney General Jerry Brown announced Wednesday.
Walgreens the third to settle drug-swapping allegations
DEEFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline ) - Several state attorneys general have settled their allegations against drug store chain Walgreens, receiving $35 million to resolve charges that the company harmed their respective Medicaid programs.
Milgram defends tax law from companies' challenge
Milgram TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - The Throwout Rule will not be thrown out of New Jersey, Attorney General Anne Milgram happily learned Thursday.
Calif. Supreme Court denies stay on gay marriage ruling
Jerry Brown SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)--Same-sex couples in California can legally marry beginning June 17, a divided state supreme court has decided, refusing to grant a stay sought by opponents of gay marriage and 11 state attorneys general.