“Democratic state lawmakers are formally backing a version of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s proposal to tax the rich, setting up a budget showdown in Albany with Gov. Kathy Hochul. Leaders of the state Assembly and Senate inserted much of the Democratic mayor’s agenda Tuesday into their official ‘one-house’ counterproposals to Hochul’s state budget plan. That includes a tax hike on people reporting more than $5 million of income as well as an increase in the state’s corporate tax rates from 7.25% to 9%. The two houses, both controlled by Democrats, also included various changes to New York City’s tax code sought by Mamdani, including versions of his proposals to boost New York City’s corporate, business and ‘mansion’ taxes. … The governor, a moderate Democrat, has steadfastly opposed income-tax increases since taking office in 2021 and has centered her re-election campaign on a message of affordability.” (03/12/26)
“As a gun owner in Rhode Island, you may think that no matter what wacko state laws legislators impose to make it harder to buy weapons, at least you’ll remain secure in your right to the arms you’ve already legally purchased. Not so. Bearing Arms alerts us to the fact that two bills pending in the state legislature jeopardize your right to keep your already owned — lawfully obtained — firearms. One bill does so immediately. The other paves the way for follow-up legislation that does so immediately.” (03/12/26)
“The Roberts Court has been restoring the separation of powers in the administrative state by strengthening presidential control over the executive branch, pressing Congress to speak clearly when it delegates major authority, and insisting that judges—not agencies—say what the law means. This judicial duty is weakened by doctrines that require courts to defer to administrative agencies’ interpretations of the law. When an agency and a citizen disagree about what a federal law means, judicial deference to the agency can be decisive. That deference affects not just lawyers but also citizens subject to the rules governing energy, health care, finance, and immigration.” (03/12/26)
“Noah Webster told us exactly what happens when people join a political party – they become mindless puppets of people in power. His timeless warning that ‘faction is death to liberty’ is one we can’t afford to ignore any longer.” (03/11/26)
Source: Washington Monthly
by Markos Kounalakis & Theo Jan Snoey
“With AI creating insatiable demand for electricity, an old but clean source is getting a second look thanks to favorable politics and new extraction technology. It’s Landman for environmentalists.” (03/12/26)
“China’s National People’s Congress approved legislation promoting what it calls the ‘ethnic unity’ law, which human rights groups say could further marginalize minority groups. The law formalizes policies in order to promote Mandarin as the ‘national common language’ for official purposes such as education and public affairs. As part of the law, educational institutions will now be obliged to teach in Mandarin, with teenagers required to have a ‘basic grasp’ of Mandarin when finishing their compulsory education. It also states that the law can be applied outside China’s borders, meaning people outside China who ‘engage in activities that undermine ethnic unity'” or incite ‘ethnic separatism’ can be held legally liable.” (03/12/26)
