Category: Federal-State Relations

Supreme Court Invalidates Washington State Workers’ Comp Law Affecting Federal Nuclear Cleanup Site

The Supreme Court struck down a Washington state law that extended workers’ compensation benefits to employees at a decommissioned federal nuclear production facility where employees suffered exposure to radioactive waste, finding the statute discriminates against the federal government. The ruling in United States v. Washington, court file 21-404, is a win for the Biden administration, which…


SCOTUS Seems Likely to Take Up Case That Could Recognize States’ Power to Regulate Elections

The Supreme Court seems likely to accept a new election law case that Republicans hope will recognize what they say is the preeminent constitutional authority of state legislatures to set the rules for redistricting and congressional and presidential elections, as well as curb the power of state courts to intervene in such disputes. “The U.S….


Supreme Court Rules Against Texas in Its Crackdown on Indian Gaming Operations

The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that Texas lacks authority to prevent an Indian tribe from offering bingo games. The June 15 decision is a win for the Biden administration, which argued against the position taken by Texas. The case is Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo v. State of Texas, court file 20-493. Oral arguments were heard…


Massachusetts Governor Vetoes Plan to Give Illegal Immigrants Driver’s Licences

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker on Friday vetoed a plan that would have let the state issue driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants over identity verification concerns as well as concerns involving voting. The bill (H4805), if passed, would have seen illegal immigrants issued a standard driver’s license from the state if they applied starting July 1,…


North Carolina Could Be Next in Joining Initiative to Restore Balance Between State and Federal Government

North Carolina could be joining the Convention of States that seeks to restore the balance between the state and federal government using Article V of the United States Constitution. In March 2021, the North Carolina House passed House Joint Resolution 233, which calls for the state to be added to the convention, now leaving it up…


‘Knowledge is Power’: Constitutional Scholar Strives to Educate the Public and Rein in the Federal Government

Christin McMasters’ strategy for teaching about the U.S. Constitution is first to establish a foundation by answering why we have a government, and from there, why we have a constitution. McMasters, also known as The Liberty Belle via her blog, has initiated a North Carolina-based constitutional-advocacy crusade to answer those questions in classes, speaking engagements,…


Giving States More Power Is the Right Path for America, Says Mark Meckler

Allowing states to have more powers to determine issues such as abortion is the correct path for America, says Mark Meckler, president of the conservative grassroots movement Convention of States Action. Meckler also co-founded Convention of States Action which proposes amendments to the U.S. Constitution to bring power back to the states and the people….


Returning More Power to States Is the Right Path for America, Says Mark Meckler

Returning more powers to states to determine issues such as abortion is the correct path for America, says Mark Meckler, president of the conservative grassroots movement Convention of States Action. Meckler also co-founded Convention of States Action which proposes amendments to the U.S. Constitution to bring power back to the states and the people. A…


‘No Statutory Authority Exists’ to Back DHS Disinformation Board, Republican AGs Say, Warning Legal Action

A group of Republican attorneys general warned of legal action against the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) new Disinformation Governance Board, stating that “no statutory authority” exists to back its creation. In a letter (pdf) submitted on May 5 to DHS chief Alejandro Mayorkas, Virginia’s Attorney General Jason Miyares, joined by 19 other Republican attorneys…


States Sue Biden Administration for ‘Pressuring and Colluding’ With Big Tech to Censor Free Speech

Two Republican-led states have filed a lawsuit against President Joe Biden, White House press secretary Jen Psaki, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and other top administration officials for allegedly pressuring and colluding with social media giants with the aim of censoring and suppressing free speech. Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt and Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry filed…