Latest news with #JohnMcCuskey
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
15 state attorneys general condemn Rep. Libby's censure as 'attack on Legislature' in letter
May 9—Fifteen Republican attorneys general filed a friend of the court brief in support of Rep. Laurel Libby, R-Auburn, charging that her censure in the Maine Legislature was politically motivated and amounts to viewpoint discrimination. The group, led by West Virginia Attorney General John McCuskey, called in a Friday filing for the U.S. Supreme Court to grant Libby an injunction restoring her ability to vote and speak on the State House floor. They charge that Libby's censure is an "attack" on the Legislature's ability to function and represent Mainers. "Perhaps a little too often, applicants come to this Court warning that some decision being challenged is poised to undermine (or even end) our republican form of government," the group wrote. "This time, though, the shoe fits." Maine House Democrats voted to censure Libby in February over her Facebook post that featured the first name and photos of a transgender high school athlete. Libby filed an emergency application with the Supreme Court late last month, asking that her speaking rights be restored while a federal court in Maine considers a lawsuit she filed against House Speaker Ryan Fecteau, D-Biddeford, which argues that the censure violates her — and her constituents' — First Amendment Right to free speech. Lower courts have already ruled against Libby's request, citing Fecteau's right to legislative immunity — the legal doctrine that prevents lawmakers from being sued for their legislative acts. But the attorneys general argue in their filing that censuring Libby does not qualify as a legislative act, and it is therefore not subject to immunity. "Even if one could say this suspension was a legislative act, it is of such extraordinary character that it cannot be protected," the group argues. "Representative Libby's suspension disenfranchises all of District 90's voters. And it does so as retribution for the very sort of speech that a legislator must offer — speech on one of the important issues of the day." They add that the issue of whether transgender athletes should be allowed to compete in girls and women's sports is the subject of active debate across the country, and they note that Libby's comments were made outside the Legislature. McCuskey was joined by 14 other Republican attorneys general, including those from Florida, Iowa and Louisiana. Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey has repeatedly stated that it was Libby's conduct, not her views, that earned her the censure, including in a court brief filed Thursday. "Like other censures of Maine House members, the censure resolution required Rep. Libby to apologize for her conduct — not recant her views," Frey wrote. Libby, who has refused to apologize, said in a response to Frey filed Friday that critics demanding she do so are exacerbating the harm against her. "The Speaker cannot insist on an apology to his satisfaction," Libby wrote, "any more than Speaker Johnson could insist on congressmembers' declaring 'Trump is Making America Great Again' as a condition of voting." She further charges that legislative immunity does not apply to her censure vote, and claims that Frey's "version of legislative immunity is limitless," and could, for example, be used to ban legislators who did not attend a certain university from voting. Copy the Story Link
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
22 states band together to sue New York over law that requires companies to make huge payouts — here's why it matters
New York is facing a major legal battle. Twenty-two other states are challenging its new law that demands fossil fuel companies pay for damages to our overheating planet, reported Reuters. New York passed a law in December requiring coal, oil, and natural gas companies to contribute $75 billion over 25 years into a special fund. Starting in 2028, these companies will pay $3 billion annually based on how much they emitted between 2000 and 2018. But West Virginia and 21 other states are fighting back. They've filed a lawsuit claiming the law punishes energy companies unfairly and could eliminate thousands of jobs. "We're not going to allow left-wing states like California, New York, Vermont to dictate to the American people how they're going to get their electricity," said West Virginia Attorney General John McCuskey at a press conference. Following Vermont's lead last July, New York is the second state to create such a fund. While these 22 states have banded together in this case, there is no indication yet that Vermont and New York might team up and recruit other states to work toward a nationwide fund. This court battle represents an expanding divide about who should pay for extreme weather protection. The money collected would build roads, water systems, and sewage systems that protect communities from heat waves and flooding. New York's governor believes companies that profited from activities that warm our planet should bear financial responsibility rather than residents. A spokesperson for Governor Hochul stated she "believes corporate polluters should pay for the wreckage caused by the climate crisis — not everyday New Yorkers." If the law is struck down, taxpayers may end up funding these infrastructure costs instead of the companies whose products contributed to the problem. You can support policies that demand accountability from major industries rather than placing the burden on taxpayers. Contact your representatives to ask about climate infrastructure plans in your state. Should the government be able to control how we heat our homes? Definitely Only if it saves money I'm not sure No way Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Consider investing in home improvements like better insulation or heat pumps that save money while reducing your impact. Rebates from the Inflation Reduction Act make these upgrades more affordable. Many communities are also creating local climate action plans that need public support. Attend town halls and join community groups to influence how your neighborhood prepares for extreme weather. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New York is sued over $75 billion climate superfund
NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York state was sued on Thursday over a new law requiring fossil fuel companies to contribute $75 billion over 25 years into a state fund that will pay for damage caused by climate change, West Virginia Attorney General John McCuskey said. The law signed by Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul on December 26 creates a "superfund" to shift the cost to mitigate climate change to oil, gas and coal companies from taxpayers. At a press conference, McCuskey, a Republican, called the law unconstitutional. A copy of the complaint was not immediately available.
Reuters
06-02-2025
- Business
- Reuters
New York is sued over $75 billion climate superfund
NEW YORK, Feb 6 (Reuters) - New York state was sued on Thursday over a new law requiring fossil fuel companies to contribute $75 billion over 25 years into a state fund that will pay for damage caused by climate change, West Virginia Attorney General John McCuskey said. The law signed by Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul on December 26 creates a "superfund" to shift the cost to mitigate climate change to oil, gas and coal companies from taxpayers. At a press conference, McCuskey, a Republican, called the law unconstitutional. A copy of the complaint was not immediately available.
