Government News

California’s Lemon Law Is Changing and Car Buyers Have Fewer Protections

The year 2025 is shaping up to be a confusing one for Californians unlucky enough to buy a new or used car that turns out to be a clunker. Starting Jan. 1, car buyers who purchase a faulty vehicle will …

Judge Says NY Can’t Use ‘Unconstitutional’ Law to Block Migrant Buses From Texas

New York City can’t use an unconstitutional, two-century-old “anti-pauper” law to block the state of Texas from offering migrants free bus rides to the city from the southern border, a state judge has ruled. The court on Thursday dismissed a …

Pennsylvania Prohibits Fires on State Lands as Dry Conditions Persist

Earlier this week, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) announced that it is prohibiting campfires on state park and forest lands until further notice. The department also encouraged Pennsylvanians to avoid burning on all lands amid extremely …

NY Governor: $20 Million Available in Home Resiliency Grants, Loans

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Monday that up to $20 million is available for eligible homeowners in flood-prone areas to make proactive flood mitigation and energy-efficiency improvements to their homes. The money is the latest round of funding …

DOL Recovers $877K in Wages, Benefits for Employees Underpaid By NY Contractors

The U.S. Department of Labor recovered a total of $877,834 in back wages and fringe benefits from three Long Island contractors for 36 employees who were underpaid for their work on two New York projects funded by the U.S. Department …

PepsiCo Beats New York State’s ‘Predatory’ Lawsuit Over Plastics Pollution

PepsiCo won the dismissal of New York’s lawsuit accusing the beverage and snack-food company of polluting the environment with single-use plastic packaging, as the judge criticized the state’s attorney general, Letitia James, for bringing the case. Justice Emilio Colaiacovo of …

Big Tech Wants AI to Be Regulated. Why Do They Oppose a California AI Bill?

California legislators are set to vote on a bill as soon as this week that would broadly regulate how artificial intelligence is developed and deployed in California even as a number of tech giants have voiced broad opposition. Here is …

Washington State Meter Reader Pleads Guilty in Workers’ Comp Scam

A 56-year-old former Washington State meter reader who claimed she was so traumatized from a workplace dog attack that she fainted at the sight of dogs has pleaded guilty in a workers’ compensation fraud case. According to a Washington State …

California Commissioner Invites Input on Final Phase of Wildfire Modeling Regulation

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has invited public input as he begins the final phase of approving a “first of its kind” catastrophe modeling and ratemaking regulation that “will help restore options for all Californians and prepare for the reality …

Mortgage Value Limit for Homeowners? That Sounds Like a Bad Idea

For context, I suggest that you read this Insurance Journal story that provides some details related to the bill that I want to discuss. Here’s the link: https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2024/01/04/754264.htm. We put this Florida story in the “Politicians don’t understand insurance” file. …