The Washington Independent

Law

FEC to investigate Fox News’ refusal to let GOP candidate Karger into presidential debate

By | 09.02.11 | 11:25 am

The Federal Election Commission agreed Thursday to investigate a complaint GOP presidential candidate Fred Karger filed last month against Fox News, according to Karger’s presidential campaign.

Abortion seekers in South Dakota not required to visit CPCs, for now

By | 07.01.11 | 11:32 am

A federal court on Thursday blocked (PDF) a new South Dakota lawmandating 72-hour waiting periods and counseling sessions at a faith-based “crisis pregnancy center” that was to go into effect Friday.

In May, Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota(PPMNS), filed the lawsuit (PDF) against the South Dakota governor, attorney More…

8th prisoner death at Guantanamo

By | 05.19.11 | 3:19 pm | More from The Colorado Independent

A 37-year-old Afghan prisoner known only as Inayatullah held at Guantanamo Bay committed suicide yesterday according to the U.S. military Southern Command. Inayatullah is the eighth prisoner reported dead at Guantanamo. He had been held since 2007 without being charged with a crime although he reportedly admitted to being an More…

Religious right in Minnesota urges anti-gay marriage amendment vote, Governor vows to fight it

By | 05.19.11 | 12:21 pm | More from The Minnesota Independent

Religious right groups praised the House Rules Committee vote on Wednesday morning to pass an amendment that would codify a gay marriage ban in the Minnesota Constitution, but also called for action against “gay activists” who would “assault,” “attack” or “take one last shot” at Republican legislators. While conservative More…

Michigan House Committee holds hearing on FOIA reform

By | 05.18.11 | 10:05 am | More from The Michigan Messenger

Stressing the need for transparency in public government, the Michigan House Government Oversight, Ethics and Reform Committee listened to testimony Tuesday that will serve as a starting point on reforming the Michigan Freedom of Information Act law.

Todd Heywood, Senior Reporter for Michigan Messenger, testified in front of the committee More…

Report on embattled ‘Taj Mahal’ judge: ‘intemperate, impatient, undignified and discourteous’

By | 05.17.11 | 5:48 pm | More from The Florida Independent

The Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission has charged 1st District Court Judge Paul Hawkes with abusing his position as he lobbied for the courthouse that became known as the “Taj Mahal.” #


The allegations in the notice released today range from usurping oversight of More…

‘That’s not pro-liberty’: Conservative Minnesota group opposes anti-gay marriage amendment

By | 05.17.11 | 3:46 pm | More from The Minnesota Independent

Image by: Matt MahurinWhile state Republicans are spearheading the contentious move to put a constitutional amendment barring same-sex marriage on the ballot next year, not all conservatives are behind them. In recent weeks, a number of conservatives — ranging from small-government and libertarian groups to gay Republicans — have spoken out against codification More…

Gov. Scott has until May 21 to act on new voting rights bill

By | 05.16.11 | 6:11 pm | More from The Florida Independent

Gov. Rick Scott has until Saturday to act on House Bill 1355, the controversial elections bill that passed the Florida Legislature along party lines over objections that it would make voting more difficult. #


According to the House’s latest update on bill actions, lawmakers More…

DCCC targets Latham in ‘Drive for 25′

By | 05.16.11 | 5:49 pm | More from The Iowa Independent

With an eye on reclaiming a U.S. House majority in 2012, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has lobbed a series of robocalls into Tom Latham‘s District and also launched a set of tools on a new website for political activists.

The campaign, dubbed “Drive for 25? seeks to educate More…

DFLers propose bill to do away with state Defense of Marriage Act

By | 05.16.11 | 11:22 am | More from The Minnesota Independent

Minnesota Democrats introduced a bill on Monday that would repeal the state’s Defense of Marriage Act, which prohibits same-sex couples from benefiting from the rights and responsibilities of marriage. The bill, the Marriage and Family Protection Act, was offered just as heated debate at the Capitol continues over a More…