Governor David Paterson has nominated Jonathan Lippman, currently presiding justice in the Appellate Division First Department of the State Supreme Court, to fill the chief judge’s post that was vacarted when Judith Kaye retired. See Press Release announcing the nomination.
Seeking Funding Ideas for Court*
QUESTION:
We as a court are in the process of looking under every rock for potential funding sources. To that end we are interested in getting ideas and tips about short- or long-term legislation and policies around the nation that have provided directed funding to court programs or projects. Specifically, temporary filing fee assessments, temporary fine enhancements, fees for ongoing technology improvements, etc… We intend to use these as ammunition for similar funding should that possibility exist or become necessary during our legislative process. The sky is the limit here and we are looking for ideas so any thought would be helpful.
RESPONSE
Proposed Democratic Senate Committee Assignments for 111th Congress
On December 22, 2008 we posted a list of House committee assignments preferred by many freshman in the 111th congress.
Although we have heard nothing more about House commitee assignments, we have heard from the Senate. Senate Majority Harry Reid has announced a partial list of the committee assignments he anticipates members of the Democratic Caucus will hold during the 111th Congress. As required by Senate rules, Senator Reid will meet with the Republican Leader to finalize the make-up of each Committee. For additional information including the anticipated committee assignment click on the link below
Partial List of Democratic Senate Committee Assignments Proposed for the 111th Congress
HeinOnline: New Content Added in 2008
Last year was a busy year for our HeinOnline team at William S. Hein & Co., Inc. If you missed anything, here is a quick recap of everything they accomplished in 2008…
——————————————————————————–
8 New Library Modules
Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich: Proposed Report of the Special Investigation Committee
See the Proposed Report of the Special Investigation Committee of the Illinois House of Representatives regarding the possible impeachment of Governor Rod R. Blagojevich.
Summary of Recent Decisions Regarding Investigatory Stops
From: Quinlan Law Enforcement eNews Alert, January 8, 2009.
Encounter between officer and defendant in parking lot of convenience store was consensual
“An encounter between a police officer and a defendant, as the defendant was walking to his car at a convenience store, in which the officer asked the defendant if he had anything was illegal, was consensual thus did not violate the defendant’s Fourth Amendment rights. A police car had parked 12 feet behind the defendant’s car. The four officers on the scene were uniformed and the officer did not advise the defendant that he was free to leave. However, the encounter occurred in view of other patrons, and the officer did not touch the defendant until after he stated that he had a gun. Furthermore, only one of the officers approached the defendant, and the officer did not use an antagonistic tone.”
Book Review: The Sodomy Cases
TITLE: The Sodomy Cases
SUBTITLE: Bowers v. Hardwick and Lawrence v. Texas AUTHOR: David A. J. Richards PUBLICATION DATE: February 17, 2009
PUBLISHER: University Press of Kansas
ABA Journal Weekly Newsletter. January 9, 2009.
Top Ten Stories of the Week January 9, 2009.
Layoffs Clifford Chance Plans to Ax Up to 80 Associates, Asks Partners to Ante Up Jan 8, 2009, 07:18 am CST
Attorney Fees Judge Finds Dewey’s $100K-a-Day Fee Application is Excessive
Wisconsin State Law Library Newsletter
January 2009
Happy New Year!
The January 2009 issue of WSLL @ Your Service has been published at http://wsll.state.wi.us/newsletter/0901.html In this issue:
American Libraries Direct. January 7, 2009.
The e-newsletter of the American Library Association – January 7, 2009
Selected highlights*
Judge overrules Philadelphia branch closings A Philadelphia judge has ordered Mayor Michael Nutter to halt his planned closing of 11 branches of the Free Library of Philadelphia. Court of Common Pleas Judge Idee C. Fox (right) issued the ruling December 30 in response to an emergency motion filed by three city council members who argued that the closures would violate a 1988 city ordinance requiring the mayor to obtain council approval before shutting any city-owned facility….
American Libraries Online, Jan. 5
Protect patrons’ privacy ALA Editions has released a new title, Privacy and Confidentiality Issues: A Guide for Libraries and their Lawyers, by Theresa Chmara. In this clear and concise guide, set up in an FAQ format, First Amendment attorney and litigation expert Chmara shares her decades of experience in easy-to-understand, jargon-free language. Interspersed within the questions and answers, actual court case studies lend a sense of urgency to the explanations….
Date change for Los Angeles Lawyers for Libraries ALA will present a Lawyers for Libraries training institute February 27 in Los Angeles. The previously announced date was February 20. The Lawyers for Libraries Institute is primarily intended to equip attorneys with tools they need to effectively defend the First Amendment in libraries….
Internet use grows at meetings Until recently, travelers attending conferences had simple internet needs. They would check email messages and look up information on the Web or connect to the home office. Now, meetings are likely to include streaming video and online interaction. Back in their rooms, travelers are downloading movies and logging onto peer-to-peer networks. Event organizers and hotels and conference centers are struggling to keep up and prevent internet gridlock….
New York Times, Dec. 29 Continue reading