PLI Bulletin

Internet Privacy, Crime Rate, Passive Voice and More

Posted on June 19, 2019

Internet Privacy Protection Act: Pushing back against a bad FCC ruling, several states have enacted laws to protect customers from Internet service providers, the most recent being Maine’s LD 946. The Internet Privacy Protection Act would forbid ISPs from using or selling browsing histories, app usage data, geo-locations and other kinds of personal information without their users’ consent.

Avoid the passive voice: Richard Nixon and his press secretary were famously ridiculed for saying “mistakes were made.” And yet, the same phrase has been used ever since to avoid responsibility. Speaking that way is a lousy way to present your case for social change. To understand why, read the latest IdeaLog, our blog intended to raise eyebrows and engage minds.

Allowing Discrimination!? Trump Administration Proposes to Undo ACA’s Nondiscrimination Protections: The U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services has proposed to weaken the Affordable Care Act’s prohibitions against discrimination based on gender identity or sex. This webinar by Families USA will cover what this means and what you need to do. To register, click here.

“Lost Decade” Casts a Post-Recession Shadow on State Finances: This story from the Pew Trusts includes ten very interesting charts. For example, state investment in infrastructure is at the lowest level in more than 50 years, states lost about 5 percent of employees, a few states seem to have excess fiscal reserves, and much more.

Crime in 2018: Final Analysis: The crime rate, violent crime rate, and murder rate all declined in 2018 according to a Brennan Center analysis of major cities. Reports of a new “crime wave” are false.

See us in the Exhibition Hall at the National Conference of State Legislatures: If you’re coming to NCSL in Nashville, August 5-8, please visit us in Exhibition Booth #726.