The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled today that the unallotment of a special diet program for low income Minnesotans was beyond the scope of the law. The executive branch, the court wrote, “exceeded its authority by using that statute to balance the budget through reducing allotments before the budget-making process was completed.”
On 05.05.10, In Legal News, By The Law Librarian
On 04.20.10, In Legal News, By The Law Librarian
The National Law Journal published a wonderful series of articles chronicling Justice Stevens impact on the Supreme Court. While articles analyze his legacy, top decisions and the future of his seat, my personal favorite is the listing of his most notable dissents.
For more on Justice Stevens, see the following links:
John Paul Stevens Oyez Project Bio
Justice Stevens will not be easily replaced (LA Times)
Justice Stevens will be hard to follow (CNN)
Memories of Justice Stevens from his law clerks (NY Times)
Justice Stevens became great by deeds, not design (USA Today)
On 04.07.10, In Legal News, Self-Help Resources, By The Law Librarian
The Federal Reserve’s new credit card rules give consumers new protections. Here are 9 changes that everyone should know.
1. The credit card company must tell you when it plans to change rates.
2. The credit card company must tell you how long it will take to pay off your balance.
3. Interest cannot be increased during the first year.
4. Interest increases apply only to new charges.
5. Over-the limit transactions are limited.
6. Fees on cards cannot exceed 25 percent of initial card limit.
7. New protections have been created for under-age consumers.
8. New Standardized payment dates and times.
9. Payments are now directed to highest interest balances first.
For more information, visit the Federal Reserve website.
On 04.02.10, In Legal News, Legal Research, By The Law Librarian
Online legal research services continue to battle for market share, which the MSBA points out, is a good thing. Not only can it lower prices, but it also forces the research services to put out a better product. Read the MSBA Blawg to find out more on the skirmish between Fastcase and Casemaker, and the overall benefit to the consumer.
On 01.20.10, In Legal News, By The Law Librarian
The second Court ruling dealing with Governor Pawlenty’s “unallotment plan” is available on the Second Judicial District Court web page. Unlike the first ruling, the most recent decision favored the unallotment plan by dismissing a lawsuit over Pawlenty’s cancellation of the state’s political contribution refund program, a form of public campaign financing that fell under the governor’s budget ax.
This may seem counter to the first decision, but Chief Judge Kathleen Gearin was careful to point out that “the issue of whether the way the governor unalloted the (refund) program violated the separation of powers doctrine was not pled.” Legislative authority was they key issue in the prior ruling.
The unallotment rulings can be viewed on the Court web page.
On 12.31.09, In Legal News, By The Law Librarian
Chief Ramsey County District Judge Kathleen Gearin granted a request for a temporary restraining order that could have a major impact on Governor Pawlenty’s unallotment plan. While the ruling only directly reaches a small portion of the unallotment plan, the impact could be wide ranging.
Judge Gearin did not mince words when she wrote that Pawlenty “crossed the line between legitimate exercise of his authority to unallot and interference with the legislative power to make laws.”
The ruling can be viewed on the Second Judicial District website, along with the litigation history.
