State attorneys general vie for stronger consumer protection role
Posted in Main Blog (All Posts) on March 15th, 2010 4:37 am by HL
State attorneys general vie for stronger consumer protection role
In the fight over how to overhaul the nation’s financial regulatory system, one of the key power struggles has pitted the states — in particular a core group of state attorneys general — against federal regulators, financial lobbyists and some members of Congress.
Critics: Military trial of terror suspects could open cases to legal uncertainty
Using a military commission to try Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and his co-defendants for their alleged role in the Sept. 11 attacks could open the case to significant legal uncertainty and expose fresh details of detainee abuse in a proceeding that might not get underway for two years or longer, national security experts and plan critics say.
Insurers report on use of abortion riders
CHICAGO — In North Dakota, where insurers can cover abortions if customers pay a separate premium, the state’s largest provider says it sells no abortion policies because no one has asked to buy one.
Curbing earmarks: Even with new restrictions, for-profits play a role
Twice in recent years, House Appropriations Committee Chairman David R. Obey (D-Wis.) helped obtain earmarks totaling $3.2 million for a home-state university to study how to make military jet fuel from plants. Standing behind that nonprofit work, however, is a for-profit Chicago firm that often partners with universities to reap part of their earmark benefits.
Obama’s focus on financial rules, Supreme Court opinion could aid Democrats
Despite holding high-profile meetings last week on energy and immigration reform, President Obama will focus the next few months on two issues that could help his party in November: stronger financial regulations and ways to mitigate a Supreme Court ruling that allows direct corporate spending on behalf of candidates.
