Congress Considers Lifting Oil-Export Ban

According to U.S. Representative Joe Barton (R-TX), Congress is expected to vote on legislation that would lift a 40 year-old crude-oil export ban for U.S. producers. In an August 6th phone interview with Bloomberg, Barton said “We’ve got green lights in the House all the way,” saying that “The whip, the majority leader, the speaker


Florida Governor Settles Public-Records Transparency Lawsuit…Again

Recently re-elected Republican Florida Governor Rick Scott agreed to terms with Tallahassee attorney Steven Andrews regarding a dispute over public records disclosure involving a property close to the governor’s mansion. Andrews sued Scott in 2012 after the governor stated his intent to use state funds to buy a building near a property known as “The


How has Ferguson Changed a Year after Michael Brown’s Death?

On Saturday, Michael Brown Sr. led a group of about 100 marchers during a peaceful five-mile journey through the streets of Ferguson, Missouri, accompanied by a state-police escort. The peaceful march was intended to not only commemorate the anniversary of the controversial killing of his son by police officer Darren Wilson a year ago Sunday,



Medtronic Issues Recall for Newly-Approved Heart Device

Leading medical device manufacturer Medtronic has issued its second recall in as many weeks involving recently developed technology. Coming off of the European recall of its MiniMed 640 insulin pump last week, which is scheduled for a Pre-Market Approval (PMA) review in the U.S. later this year, the company has recalled nearly 7,000 EnVeo R


Railroads will not Meet Congressional Deadline for Safety Technology Implementation

According to a Federal Railroad Administration report released to the House and Senate Appropriations Committee on Friday, only three freight and commuter railroad companies have submitted safety plans for the implementation of new technology, required to be finished by a December 31st deadline. The technology, Positive Train Control (PTC), depends on GPS technology to automatically


DOJ Subpoenas Allergan as Generics Antitrust Probe Widens

In the wake of a buying and selling frenzy, Irish drugmaker Allergan has been subpoenaed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) over antitrust concerns regarding the pricing of its generic drugs. Last week, the company announced a $40.5 billion selloff of its generics unit to the global generic market leader, Israeli-based Teva Pharmaceuticals. That deal


NRA, Texas Republican Cornyn Fight for Increased Gun Control (Sort of)

As shocking as it may seem, a leading Senate Republican, with the support of the National Rifle Association (NRA), are teaming together to promote legislation that would make it tougher for mentally ill persons to acquire firearms. On Wednesday, Senate Minority Whip John Cornyn (R-TX), the second-most powerful person in the Senate, introduced a bill



SEC Approves Rule Mandating Companies to Compare Worker and Executive Pay

Dodd-Frank strikes again, as the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted a rule on Wednesday to require most public companies to report the comparison of pay between employees and Chief Executive Officers. The commission voted 3-2, with the two Republican commissioners objecting the mandate to include the comparison in a company’s annual audited financial statement