Below is a copy of the letter PIAC sent to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue regarding a proposed rule change which would make millions ineligible for SNAP Benefits The Proposed Rule – Revision of Categorial Eligibility in the SNAP threatens the safety and health of millions of people. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program … Continue reading Comment to Proposed Rule – Revision of Categorical Eligibility in the SNAP RIN 0584-AE62
Federal
Getting Away With Murder
By: Nicole Nazari $600, $1,400, and $11,000: these are not the prices of vacations, rent, nor a down payment on a car. These numbers are the cost of an EpiPen, insulin, and one month of colorectal cancer treatment; some of the most used medications by Americans. [1] [2] Many of their users cannot afford their … Continue reading Getting Away With Murder
Census Watch 2020: The Constitutionality of a Citizenship Question
By: Monet Valdez The United States Supreme Court is the most powerful judiciary body in our nation. Nine Justices sit atop the high court and make decisions that become the law of the land. The Court recently decided whether or not to add a citizenship question to the 2020 Census. It is important that we … Continue reading Census Watch 2020: The Constitutionality of a Citizenship Question
Kaepernick Ousted from NFL For Exercising Free Speech
By: Francis Carlota I have a question. First, I’ll give stats of a former NFL quarterback. Then you tell me if you think he’s good enough to be a current NFL quarterback. Keep in mind he is just 31 years old, only two seasons removed from playing professional football, has no criminal history of domestic … Continue reading Kaepernick Ousted from NFL For Exercising Free Speech
President Trump wants to define transgender out of existence, but we cannot let him define us.
By: Ken Jensen On October 24, 2018, President Trump stated his administration was “seriously” considering changing the way it treats transgender people under the law. Given his history of statements which never come to fruition, one could dismiss it. The effort this administration to negate any effort to define gender identity in any manner besides … Continue reading President Trump wants to define transgender out of existence, but we cannot let him define us.
PIAC Gun Control Series: Possible Legislative Actions
By: Ridgeway Woulfe Thus far in our Gun Control Series, we have discussed why there is a need for gun control solutions and we have discussed who can provide these solutions. Now we address what gun control legislation could actually look like. These methods are not guaranteed to withstand Constitutional challenges. Banned Gun Types One … Continue reading PIAC Gun Control Series: Possible Legislative Actions
The First Amendment: Has it been Weaponized?
By: Robert Bryson Shortly after the Citizens United and Janus decisions, detractors began heaping criticism upon the Supreme Court for “weaponizing” the First Amendment. Indeed, Justice Kagan makes that very argument in her dissent: “It [the majority] does so by weaponizing the First Amendment, in a way that unleashes judges, now and in the future, … Continue reading The First Amendment: Has it been Weaponized?
President Trump Threatens to Revoke California’s Waiver under the Clean Air Act: Can he do it?
By: Robert Bryson President Trump, as part of the Administration’s goal of rolling back regulations designed to combat climate change, has threatened to rollback a waiver granted to California to pursue stricter vehicle emissions standards. Under the Obama Administration, the federal government and California collaborated on preparing the currently-enacted vehicle standards.[1] The waiver was granted … Continue reading President Trump Threatens to Revoke California’s Waiver under the Clean Air Act: Can he do it?
The Accountable Capitalism Act: Should Corporations be mandated to act under moral obligations of personhood or only to maximize the value of their shares?
By: Maryam Karimi With the widening inequality in corporate America and ever-rising CEO compensation, strides towards restructuring corporate wealth may be one of the most important and onerous tasks a senator can choose to undertake.[1] On August 15, 2018, Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts introduced the Accountable Capitalism Act which would create an Office of … Continue reading The Accountable Capitalism Act: Should Corporations be mandated to act under moral obligations of personhood or only to maximize the value of their shares?
Corporate Personhood: Can a corporation really hold religious views? How did we get here?
By: Robert Bryson Corporate personhood is the legal notion that a corporation is a distinct entity that exists separately from the human being associated with it (like owners, managers, and employees). Corporations got their first breath of life in the Justinian Digest (the latest iteration of the Roman Code). Pope Innocent IV (pontificate from 1243-54) … Continue reading Corporate Personhood: Can a corporation really hold religious views? How did we get here?
Public Interest Advocacy Collaborative 