The New York Times reported July 30, 2009 that Charles E. Schumer, along with three other Senators are sponsoring a bill to curb texting while driving. The legislature in New York recently passed such a measure and sent it to the governor for a signature. Currently texting while driving is banned only in 14 states. Studies have shown that it is at least as dangerous as drinking and driving. The federal bill would exert pressure on States by withholding federal highway funds if they do not outlaw texting and emailing while driving.
U.S. Supreme Court Rules That Judges Must Recuse Themselves if There Is an Appearance of Bias
June 9, 2009
An AAJ article today reported on the case of Caperton v. A.T. Massey Coal Co. in which the Court held in a 5-4 decision that state court judges that get big campaign contributions cannot sit in judgment of their biggest contributors.