US Education Reforms: New Push for “No Child Left Behind”

Last week, the Associated Press reported on a renewed push from congressional Republicans for an update to George W. Bush’s signature “No Child Left Behind” education policy.  Whether such education reforms remain politically feasible, even with Republican control of both the House and Senate, is yet to be seen. AP: “In 2013, a bill to


Mercedes Plant Union Possible with National Labor Relations Board Ruling

This week, the National Labor Relations Board “upheld a ruling that Mercedes violated federal labor laws by stopping United Auto Workers union supporters from handing out literature inside its Alabama plant”, as reported by the Associated Press.  While laborers at this Mercedes plant – the largest in the United States – are not organized, the


Wisconsin Right to Work Law Gains Political Potential

WISCONSIN – Yesterday, the Associated Press reported that a conservative group has begun a new effort to establish a Wisconsin right to work law.  The group, called Wisconsin Right to Work, was created “a month after Gov. Scott Walker won a second term and Republicans, many of whom support right-to-work laws, increased their majority in


Forbes: Education Investments with $225 Trillion Return

Investment in education is often touted by politicians on both sides of the aisle as a sound investment – and it is, but many such claims lack empirical support.  One Forbes article I found recently set out to provide just that empirical support, aiming to “determine the costs and benefits of taking U.S. schoolkids from


New Washington Gun Background Check Rules Take Effect Thursday

Sunday, the Seattle Times reported that new, stronger gun background checks will become effective for Washington State on Thursday (12/4/2014).  These new Washington gun background check rules (Ref. 591) passed with 59% of the popular vote on November 4th and will require “background checks on all sales and transfers, including private transactions and many loans


FDA Menu Labeling Rules Criticized by the GOP

Today, I read a critique of the new FDA menu labeling rules that was published by the Heritage Foundation.  A staff writer claimed, “The final rule has taken this FDA power grab to a whole new level” and said the Obama Administration is “confusing health with safety.” That writer says public safety is the chief


Walgreens Held Liable in Privacy Suit

Health care privacy law, as we’ve noted here, is an area of law that continues to grow at a precipitous rate.  HIPAA and health care privacy protections may  intersect with employment law issues, underscoring the weight of responsibility for all keepers and handlers of private medical information — and the people and companies that may


Industry Reaction to New ROV Rules

As expected, industry push-back came soon after new rules were enacted by the US Consumer Protection Safety Commission for the regulation of recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs).  To highlight some of that industry reaction to new ROV rules, I’ve included a statement by the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association trade group.   “The Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association


Strker Hip Replacement Settlement Valued at $1.4 Billion

This month, CBS affiliate WNEM reported that a settlement has been reached in a lawsuit over defective Stryker hips.  In this defective hip replacement settlement, Stryker agreed to pay over $1.4 billion in damages to patients who received faulty implants. For more on defective hip replacements, check out our sister blog, DangerousDrugs WNEM writes, “Thousands


Ebola Gown Lawsuit Filed Against Kimberly Clark

On October 31st, the Associated Press reported that, “[a pending] $500 million lawsuit against Kimberly-Clark Corp. alleges the company falsely claimed its surgical gowns protected against Ebola and other infectious diseases.” (hyperlink added)  This Ebola gown lawsuit was filed against the company on October 29th, and the plaintiff alleges that the giant personal care company