Tag Archives: state and local

Nursing a Community

This summer, a settlement is set to receive final approval, which would benefit thousands of Medicaid recipients living in nursing homes across the state of Massachusetts. The original lawsuit was filed in October 2022 on behalf of seven nursing home residents that argued the state was within violation of a 1999 US Supreme Court ruling, which characterizes the failure to provide a means for services to those who wish to live outside of care facilities as discriminatory. In the settlement, the state of Massachusetts would agree to pay $1 billion over the next eight years toward community support options.

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Group Plants Doubt

While the looming construction of a battery plant may threaten the existence of three species of wildlife in a Big Rapids, MI neighborhood, an organization has promised to take the necessary legal steps to endanger the progression of the project. The Mecosta Environmental and Security Alliance (MESA) is offering the owners of the proposed electric vehicle battery plant, Gotion Inc., less than 60 days to respond to the group’s notice of intent to sue. MESA predicts that Gotion may either sell the property or work directly with wildlife agencies to ensure the safety of the at-risk species.

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Building Opposition

For over a year, a portion of Center City Philadelphia residents who fear an interruption to neighboring Chinatown have battled against the $1.3 billion proposed construction of a new 76ers arena. While the residential criticism has remained consistent, a new revitalization effort has sparked additional scrutiny. In the beginning of August, 76 Devcorp disclosed the plan to construct next to the arena a high-rise building, which would offer multiple functions and a section for housing. Of the 395 units projected, about 20% of them would be marketed as affordable to the community.

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Fight for Freedom

In Texas, a newly introduced TikTok ban and its apparent subsequent restraints on the ability to exercise full academic freedom is the subject of a recent lawsuit filed by the group, The Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University. Academic freedom not only affords the opportunity for professors to conduct research and teach an array of topics and ideas without the fear of censure, but also allows students to engage in thought processes and debates without the anxiety of potential retaliation. The lawsuit names Texas Governor Greg Abbott and additional state entities and public university personnel as defendants.

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Settlement is a Juul

E-cigarette marketing mishap

Initially filed in 2019, King County, WA targeted the company that produces and markets Juul e-cigarette products, Juul Labs Inc. In the lawsuit, the plaintiff claimed that Juul purposefully advertised its flavored vapor devices to teenagers and a younger generation. Although the e-cigarette company challenged the claims brought against the company, the parties involved have agreed to settle the Washington state lawsuit for $23 million. While based on the settlement agreement, King County may accumulate an additional $1.8 million, the compensation awarded in the lawsuit will aid in the funding of local tobacco-use prevention programs. Continue reading →