News from July 2009
Proposition 13 challenge filed in Calif. Supreme Court
Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) --A former University of California, Los Angeles chancellor is challenging the state constitution's requirement that tax increases be approved by two-thirds legislative votes.
Mich. AG calls for anti-fraud unit; Draws criticism from Democrats
Mike Cox (R) LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline)-Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox is calling for the creation of a new state office to audit the state's Medicaid program.
Calif. AG candidate seeks to protect discounts for furloughed workers
Tom Harman (R) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-The only Republican candidate so far for California attorney general has co-authored bipartisan-backed legislation that would allow businesses to offer discounts to furloughed state workers without fear of being sued.
Poll: Most expect partisan battle over Sotomayor nomination
Sonia Sotomayor WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-Nearly half of Americans would like to see the U.S. Senate confirm Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court, but most expect a partisan battle, a poll released Friday indicates.
Wisconsin SC reverses bystander's award for emotional distress.
Patience Roggensack MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) -- The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the state's medical malpractice law does not allow bystanders to seek damages for emotional distress.
AG candidate Harris rasies $1.2 million
Kamala Harris (D) SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline)-California attorney general candidate Kamala Harris has raised $1.2 million since the start of the year, her campaign said.
Michigan Supreme Court: Family can sue for loss of services
Michigan Supreme Court building LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline)-A dead mother's family can sue for damages for loss of household services, a divided Michigan state Supreme Court ruled this week.
AG McDaniel to testify at Sotomayor hearings
Dustin McDaniel (D) WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel will testify at the U.S. Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Judge Sonia Sotomayor, the Senate Judiciary Committee said.
Calif. SC: Unions cannot sue under unfair competition law
Joyce Kennard SAN FRANSISCO (Legal Newsline) - Labor unions cannot sue under California's unfair competition law, the state Supreme Court said in a ruling that affirmed an appeals court decision.
Madigan to seek reelection, rules out run for governor or Senate
Lisa Madigan (D) SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline)- The popular Illinois attorney general has decided to seek another term as the state's chief legal officer, ending months of speculation the Democrat was eyeing higher office for 2010.
Brown returns $52k in political contributions
Jerry Brown (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-- California Attorney General Jerry Brown has returned $52,500 in political contributions from targets of a pension fund corruption probe.
Dems attack Ayotte's decision to seek Senate seat
Ayotte CONCORD, N.H. (Legal Newsline) - New Hampshire Attorney General Kelly Ayotte is taking her share of hits from Democrats upset that she has decided to run for U.S. Senate next year.
Sotomayor missed opportunities to define views on civil rights law
Sotomayor WASHINGTON - U.S. Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor hid behind other judges at the Second Circuit appeals court on four occasions when she could have defined her view on a fundamental contradiction in civil rights law.
Judge blocks Hawaii furlough plans
Linda Lingle (R) HONOLULU, Hawaii (Legal Newsline)-A state judge has blocked Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle's plans to order furloughs for state workers as part of an effort to help the Aloha State make ends meet amid a state budget crisis.
Texas Republican AG candidates rake in campaign cash
Ted Cruz (R) AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline)-The two possible Republican candidates for Texas attorney general say they are poised to report that they are raking in big money ahead of the 2010 race.
Kansas AG sues five mortgage rescue companies
Steve Six (D) TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline)-Kansas Attorney General Steve Six is suing five companies for allegedly scamming struggling homebuyers facing foreclosure.
Blumenthal: FDA needs to stop deceptive sunscreen labels
Richard Blumenthal (D) HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline)- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration should end its year long delay and finally stop deceptive and misleading sunscreen labels and marketing, state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said in a letter.
Sotomayor gets ABA stamp of approval
Sonia Sotomayor WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-U.S. Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor has received the endorsement of an American Bar Association panel less than a week before she appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee for her confirmation hearings.
Former AG Gonzales to teach at Texas Tech
Alberto Gonzales LUBBOCK, Texas (Legal Newsline)-Former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has accepted a teaching and recruitment position at Texas Tech University, school officials said.
New York AG signs agreements with two ARS firms‏
Andrew Cuomo (D) NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York's attorney general has announced assurances of discontinuance with two securities firm that detail how they have and will provide liquidity to investors who purchased auction-rate securities.