News from 2011
Group files petition with Calif. SC for redistricting referendum
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - A citizens group on Friday filed a petition with the California Supreme Court, asking it to prepare for the "likely qualification" of a state Senate redistricting referendum.
Wis. SC justice wants some discussions to be private
Roggensack MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - One Wisconsin Supreme Court justice says she wants to make some of the Court's discussions more private.
Ore. SC orders Philip Morris to pay state
SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline) - Cigarette maker Philip Morris USA Inc. must pay the state of Oregon 60 percent of a $79.5 million punitive damages award, plus interest, in a 14-year-old case against the company.
Group joins Ill. AG in opposing rate decrease
Madigan CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and the Citizens Utility Board filed a response on Monday to prevent a utility company from making a move that would lead to a potential $41.1 million electric rate decrease.
Cooper sues roofer
Cooper CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Legal Newsline) - North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper announced an order on Monday to stop a Charlotte-area roofer from conducting business after he allegedly took money for jobs he never started.
Nev. AG settles suit over mailed advertisements
Masto LAS VEGAS (Legal Newsline) - Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto announced a settlement on Friday with a corporate registered agent over allegedly deceptive advertisements sent by mail to corporations prompting them to change registered agents.
Kan. AG victorious against paving company
Schmidt TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) - Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced on Friday that a Missouri paving company has been banned from doing business in Kansas after allegedly violating the Kansas Consumer Protection Act.
Pa. SC rules against $4M attorneys fees
Castille HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) - The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled Friday that attorneys fees in a class action lawsuit against Kia Motors America were inappropriate.
Va. senator already considering run for AG's office
Mark Obenshain RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) - Republican state Sen. Mark Obenshain said Friday he is thinking about running for Virginia's Attorney General's Office.
Pa. lawmaker behind 'venue shopping' bill discusses legislation
Cutler PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) - Before getting elected to Pennsylvania's General Assembly five years ago, Bryan Cutler worked in healthcare.
Congressman sends scathing letter to White House counsel over Solyndra subpoena
Ruemmler WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee sent a scorching letter to White House counsel Kathyrn Ruemmler Thursday regarding a lack of compliance with the committee's subpoena related to Solyndra documents.
Pa. SC decision could affect Philly program
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) - A Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling this week regarding firefighters in Erie could be felt across the state in Philadelphia.
W.Va. SC rejects claim for medical monitoring
Chief Justice Margaret Workman CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - Seven years of searching for witnesses and evidence didn't turn up enough of either to save a suit for medical monitoring of everyone who worked or played at Omar Elementary School in Chauncey, W.Va., since 1964.
Mo. AG sues payday lenders
Koster JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced the filing of lawsuits on Thursday in Cole County against two Internet payday lenders for allegedly lending money to Missouri consumers without registering with the state.
Report: N.Y. state judges seeking $23,000 pay raise
ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - New York's state judges are reportedly pushing for a nearly $25,000 pay raise.
Conyers questions Mich. emergency manager law
Conyers WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - U.S. Rep. John Conyers sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder on Thursday, asking him to review Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder's emergency manager law.
Minn. SC dismisses lawsuit over budget impasse
Gildea ST. PAUL, Minn. (Legal Newsline) - The Minnesota Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed as moot a petition filed by a group of Republican state senators looking to block a lower court from authorizing any spending during a government shutdown.
BP to pay $426,500 penalty
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced Tuesday that several subsidiaries of the energy giant BP America Inc. have agreed to pay a $426,500 penalty.
Vt. court imposes $10K penalty in campaign finance suit
MONTPELIER, Vt. (Legal Newsline) - Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell announced a court decision on Friday ordering an advocacy organization to pay a $10,000 civil penalty for alleged campaign finance law violations.
Report: Iowa AG files pollution suit
Miller DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) - Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller is suing a Muscatine-based grain processing facility for allegedly violating numerous pollution control laws.