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Michigan Couple Takes State to Federal Court Claiming State of Michigan tried to Coerce Them
Stephen and Deborah Gmeiner, property owners in Antrim County, Michigan, have filed a brief in the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, challenging a district court’s ruling that dismissed their lawsuit against Keri Kent, an environmental quality analyst with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
The case, Gmeiner v. Kent, centers on allegations that EGLE officials said they would not issue the Gmeiners a wetlands permit unless they promised to release state officials from any legal liability that might arise from the property for which they seek a permit. This condition, the lawsuit alleges, violates constitutional principles and exceeds the department’s authority. Click here to read more.
Virginia Democrats Move To Soften Robbery Laws
Virginia Democrats are once again tinkering with criminal law, this time under the soothing language of “conforming,” but the substance of HB 244 tells a far more troubling story.
Introduced earlier this month by Democratic delegate Vivian Watts and now sitting in the House Courts of Justice Committee, HB 244 purports to update statutory references to robbery so they align with the tiered robbery system enacted in 2021. But buried inside the bureaucratic phrasing is a sweeping reworking of how robbery is treated across sentencing, parole, and early release laws — changes that consistently tilt in one direction: lighter consequences for criminals.
The bill narrows the definition of “acts of violence” to include only the two highest degrees of robbery, excluding the lower degrees from that category. It alters how robbery offenses are scored under sentencing guidelines, potentially reducing recommended prison time. Click here to read more.
Michigan Supreme Court Will Hear Case Against Wayne County Over Retaliatory Criminal Charges
LANSING, Mich.—Today, the Michigan Supreme Court agree to hear Robert Reeves’s case against Wayne County over retaliatory criminal charges he faced after he sued the county over its unconstitutional forfeiture of his car. Robert was twice dragged through baseless criminal proceedings after he stood up for his rights under the U.S. Constitution. The Institute for Justice (IJ) represents Robert in both his case challenging the county’s forfeiture machine and this case challenging the retaliation by county prosecutors.
“When a government official violates a Michigander’s constitutional rights, the harm is the same whether that official works for the state or a local government,” said IJ Senior Attorney Kirby Thomas West. “We look forward to establishing that, in either case, victims deserve to be compensated for violation of their rights.”
Last year, the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled that a Wayne County prosecutor must face Robert’s lawsuit but that he could not bring a suit for money damages against Wayne County or its employees for violations of his rights under the Michigan Constitution. Click here to read more.
Florida Senate panel advances bill on armed volunteer security at worship sites amid national concerns, Minnesota church disruption
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday unanimously passed legislation that would exempt certain unpaid volunteers from state licensing requirements when providing armed security at houses of worship, reflecting growing concerns over safety at religious sites.
The bill, SB 52 titled “Security Services at Places of Worship,” sponsored by Sen. Don Gaetz, and co-introduced by Sen. Rosalind Osgood, cleared the committee on a 9-0 vote. It previously passed the Criminal Justice Committee 8-0 and now awaits consideration by the Rules Committee. Click here to read more.
Major teachers union funneled millions of dollars into left-wing groups: report
WASHINGTON - A major teacher’s union funneled millions of dollars in union funds to left-wing groups, federal labor filings show.
According to a Form L-2 disclosure from November from the National Education Association, millions of dollars were given to social justice groups and left-wing causes in 2024, first reportedby FOX News.
The NEA reportedly gave $300,000 to a progressive dark money group called the Sixteen Thirty Fund.
The NEA also reportedly gave money to the Tides Foundation Network, which has had involvement in anti-Israel protests. Click here to read more.
