Politics & Government

Politics & Government

House Urges Senate To Pass Historic Preservation Tax Credit

6:19pm March 31, 2015

North Carolina House members are pressing the Senate to approve a bill that partially restores the historic preservation tax credit, which expired at the first of the year as part of a tax ove

The 5-to-4 vote crossed the court's usual ideological lines.

Supreme Court Deals Medicaid Blow To Doctors And Health Companies

5:59pm March 31, 2015

by Nina Totenberg

The court ruled Tuesday that private Medicaid providers cannot sue to force states to raise reimbursement rates in the face of rising medical costs.

Opponents of Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act gathered in front of the Indiana State House Saturday.

What The 2016 Hopefuls Are Saying About Indiana's 'Religious Freedom' Law

4:00pm March 31, 2015

by Amita Kelly

"This is simply allowing people of faith space to be able to express their beliefs," said Jeb Bush. Hillary Clinton tweeted: "Sad this new Indiana law can happen in America today."

Its doubtful that Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton (right) will face legal consequences for the letter he wrote to Iran. The Logan Act hasn't been used to prosecute anyone since it was passed more than 200 years ago.

Why The GOP Iran Letter Is Spurring Debate Over An 18th Century Law

3:00pm March 31, 2015

by Miles Parks

The Logan Act prevents "unauthorized citizens" from meddling in foreign affairs. There's a petition to charge the 47 senators who signed the letter, but no one has ever been prosecuted under the law.

Alabama Judge Says Raising Money To Be Elected Is 'Tawdry'

2:27pm March 31, 2015

Mixing judges with campaign contributions can lead to conflicts of interest. Fresh Air talks to retired Judge Sue Bell Cobb and the Center for American Progress' Billy Corriher.

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Demonstrators gather outside the City County Building in Indianapolis Monday, calling for the state house to roll back the controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which critics say can be used to discriminate against gays and lesbians.

Politics & Government

Indianapolis Mayor Calls On Legislature To Repeal Or Ammend Bill

7:58am March 31, 2015

Steve Inskeep talks to Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, a Republican, about the impact of Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which was recently sighed into law by Governor Mike Pence.

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Indiana Senate President Pro Tem David Long (left) and House Speaker Brian C. Bosma, both Republicans, discuss their plans for clarifying the Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act during a news conference today at the Statehouse in Indianapolis.

Indiana GOP To Revisit Law; Paper Weighs In With Full Page Editorial

11:19pm March 30, 2015

by Krishnadev Calamur

The Religious Freedom Restoration Act stoked controversy almost from the moment it was passed by the state's GOP-dominated Legislature and signed by Gov. Mike Pence on Thursday.

After Reelection Win, Netanyahu Faces Demands From Right-Wing Base

7:09pm March 30, 2015

by Emily Harris

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to form a center-right government following the election. But pressure from President Obama might make Netanyahu back off some campaign pledges.

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Nigerians Await Results Of Closely-Contested Election

6:23pm March 30, 2015

NPR's Audie Cornish speaks with Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, assistant secretary for the Bureau of African Affairs at the State Department, about the latest on Nigeria's elections.

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Politics & Government

Bill Requiring Health Screenings For New Students Moves Forward

3:52pm March 30, 2015

by Keri Brown

A bill in the North Carolina legislature would require all new students entering public schools to receive a medical checkup before enrolling.