News from March 2013
R.I. AG announces $150,000 housing grant
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) - Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin announced a $150,000 grant Wednesday for the Housing Action Coalition of Rhode Island to support efforts for the prevention of mortgage foreclosures.
Wis. Chief Justice worried about state budget
MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson said Thursday the state's 2013-15 executive budget bill could be debilitating to the state's court system.
Corbett says he will revise lottery contract to address AG's concerns
HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) -- Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett said last week he will revise a proposed lottery contract with Camelot Global Services, providing "clarification" to the state's newly-elected attorney general, Kathleen Kane.
Va. senator files petitions to have named added to primary ballot for AG
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) -- Virginia Sen. Mark Herring this week submitted petitions to have his name officially placed on the state's Democratic primary ballot for attorney general in June.
Ky. SC: Communications made to AG entitled to only a 'qualified' privilege
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Legal Newsline) -- The Kentucky Supreme Court says communications made to Attorney General Jack Conway's office in a case over a condominium owners association's funds were not part of a judicial proceeding and thus are entitled to only a "qualified" privilege.
Ind. SC: Day labor employee may proceed with suit under Wage Payment Act
INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) -- The Indiana Supreme Court ruled last week that a day labor employee can proceed with a class action lawsuit against a Fort Wayne day labor service under the state's Wage Payment Act.
Report: Budget plan could cut N.C. AG's legal staff in half
RALEIGH, N.C. (Legal Newsline) -- North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper could be left with half of his legal staff if Gov. Pat McCrory's proposed budget is approved.
Hawaii AG announces $70 million order against online travel companies
HONOLULU (Legal Newsline) - Hawaii Attorney General David Louie has announced that multiple online travel companies were ordered to pay the state $70 million in penalties on unpaid general excise taxes.
Mo. AG settles with fitness center
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced a settlement Tuesday with the owners of a Jackson-based fitness center to resolve allegations that the business violated the Missouri Safe Drinking Water Law.
N.Y. AG goes after Syracuse tax preparer
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced Tuesday he has issued a cease and desist letter against a Syracuse-based tax preparer who allegedly overcharged consumers.
Wis. AG testifies about budget
MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen testified Tuesday before members of Wisconsin's Joint Finance Committee to address questions related to the governor's 2013-2015 Department of Justice budget recommendations.
R.I. AG settles with student loan authority
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) - Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin announced a $1,000 settlement on Monday with the Rhode Island Student Loan Authority to resolve allegations that it violated the Open Meetings Act.
Report: Utah lawmaker suggests appointing, instead of electing, state AG
SALT LAKE CITY (Legal Newsline) -- A Utah lawmaker wants the state Legislature to consider making the state's attorney general an appointed post instead of an elected one.
Idaho SC sides with Texas-based nonprofit; says it's not an insurer
BOISE, Idaho (Legal Newsline) -- The Idaho Supreme Court last month said a lower court erred in determining that Austin, Texas-based Altrua HealthShare -- one of a few nonprofit health sharing organizations nationwide -- is an insurer.
Ala. AG praises U.S. SC's decision in case over monetary stipulation
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) -- Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange called a U.S. Supreme Court ruling against plaintiffs lawyers trying to place monetary limits on class action lawsuits an "important victory" for class action fairness and free enterprise.
Report: FDA to abandon legal battle over cigarette warnings, expected to revise labels
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- The Food and Drug Administration will not appeal the decision of a federal appeals court, which ruled last year that the FDA's new rule requiring graphic images on cigarette packaging is unconstitutional.
N.H. AG stepping down after 14 years in office
CONCORD, N.H. (Legal Newsline) -- New Hampshire Attorney General Michael Delaney says he has decided to leave his post as the state's top lawyer after 14 years.
Colo. SC upholds ruling in favor of automobile insurer
DENVER (Legal Newsline) -- The Colorado Supreme Court this month ruled in favor of automobile insurer State Farm, affirming that underinsured motorists claims against the company are barred by statute of limitations.
Current, former AGs support Obama's nominee for head of labor department
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- A group of 10 state attorneys general, mostly current and some former, say they fully support President Barack Obama's nomination of Tom Perez as the next U.S. Secretary of Labor.
Alaska SC, clarifying 'savings statute,' gives medical service provider a second chance at suit
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Legal Newsline) -- The Alaska Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that the state's so-called "savings statute" does not require timely notice of an initial complaint.