September 30th, 2009 by B

Author: PaulPaladin

The Federal government will award grants to State educational agencies for the purpose of keeping students in school. The grants will be given on a competitive basis by looking into student drop-out rates between grades five through nine. Grants will also be given to non-profit organizations to create the National Resource Center on Positive Youth Development and School Success. This ‘center’ will be created to assist schools in retaining students. Any sum necessary to carry out this program will be given in 2010 and the five following years. S. 1708 was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

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September 29th, 2009 by B

Author: Peter Baxter

Anyone who receives a monthly insurance benefit from Social Security will receive $150 extra for one month in 2010 to cover cost-of-living expenses. This amount will not increase the gross income on taxes. H.R. 3536 was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

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September 28th, 2009 by B

Author: Adam Radosavljevic

A employee or former employee of a TARP recipient will pay a 90 percent tax of the TARP bonus received if the individual made an adjusted gross income of $250,000. H.R. 1586 was referred to the Senate.

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September 25th, 2009 by B

Author: Aleksandr Ugorenkov

A couple will be considered married under Federal law if the State in which they are married allows the marriage. The marriage will be considered valid even if the couple moves to a different State, and will receive the same federal rights as all married couples. H.R. 3567 was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

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September 24th, 2009 by B

Author: Greg Pickens

Union Certification
If a petition is filed by an employee or group of employees for the purpose of collective bargaining, the National Labor Relations Board will inspect the petition for validation. If the petition is valid and the employees have chosen an organization to represent them, the Board will not hold an election but will designate the organization to be their representative.

Collective Bargaining Agreements
The groups will meet no later than ten days after a written request is received and will make every attempt possible to resolve the differences. After 90 days of bargaining, either party may notify the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service for mediation. If after another 30 days an agreement is not reached, an arbitration board will be established to resolve this issue.

Penalties
An employer who commits any unfair labor practice while the employees are attempting to gain representation, the employer may be subjected to a civil penalty with a maximum fine of $20,000 for each violation. S. 560 was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

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September 23rd, 2009 by B

Author: Paco Ayala

Licensing Requirements
It will be unlawful for an individual to possess a gun unless they have a firearm license from the Attorney General, or are a licensed importer, manufacturer, dealer, or collector of firearms.

Issuance of License
An application to the Attorney General for a gun license will include the following: a photo, current address, thumb print, certification stating the firearms will be stored safely, and a test on firearm storage, handling, use, and understanding of legal responsibilities of firearm laws. The license fee will be no more than $25, and will have a five year expiration date.

Sale or Transfer of Firearms
A firearm may not be sold or transferred unless an individual has a firearm license, a licensed dealer performs the transaction, a record of sale is captured, and the Attorney General receives a valid receipt of the transaction. The Attorney General will create and maintain a Federal Record of Sale System which will include every firearm transaction.

Inspections
During any business hours, the Attorney General may enter any place which sells firearms and inspect any products.

State Law
A State may not create any law which is inconsistent with this bill.

H.R. 45 was referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

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September 22nd, 2009 by B

Author: Leticia Wilson

The Secretary of the Treasury may give management authority to a private entity under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, commonly known as the US financial bailout. The Secretary of the Treasury will create an LLC with all the voting, nonvoting, and common equity of the recipients of the Troubled Asset Relief Program. The President will then appoint three independent trustees for the purposes of management. These trustees will be employed, not elected, they will serve at the will of the President, and will each be paid $162,900. H.R. 3594 was referred to the Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on Rules.

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September 21st, 2009 by B

Author: Gina Smith

A court may impose a sentence below what is permitted if it deems it necessary to avoid an unjust sentence. The court will give reasonable notice to the parties involved with an opportunity to respond, and will be required to write out the reasons for this action. H.R. 3327 was referred to the the Committee on the Judiciary.

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September 19th, 2009 by B

Photographer: a_kartha

Certain newspapers will be able to qualify as tax exempt if the following applies: the published newspaper contains local, national, or international news stories in which the public takes an interest; the newspaper is educational; the newspaper content follows methods which are “education in nature.” Newspapers will still be able to generate income from advertisers so long as the advertisements do not take up more space than the educational content. Essentially, under this bill, most newspapers will not have to pay taxes but will become tax exempt. H.R. 3602 was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

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September 18th, 2009 by B

Author: Allen Stoner

Before the end of 2010, an audit of the Federal Reserve banks and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System will be completed. The audit will be available to any members of Congress who request it. H.R. 1207 will be voted upon by the House of Representatives.

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