| Volume 47 Number 8 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
As a general rule an employer may not require an employee to take a lie detector test. The employee may be required to submit to a test, however, if the employer is investigating a theft and has a reasonable suspicion that the employee may have been involved. Click here for more.
Obama to Create Debt Commission
President Obama is set to sign an executive order to create a new commission to weigh proposals to resolve rising federal debt. Through the commission, President Obama hopes to accomplish long-term deficit reduction. In general, the formula for accomplishing deficit reduction includes a mixture of tax increases and spending cuts. Should you anticipate a tax increase? Click here for more.
New Abusive Credit Card Practices
A new consumer credit protection law takes effect on February 22. The new law was designed to reduce the number of abusive practices creditors can use against consumers. However, as the former practices are eliminated, new abusive practices are replacing them. From "inactivity fees" to the "variable rate floor," know how to spot some of the new abusive practices. Click here for more.
The One Year Anniversary of the Stimulus
One year ago, the United States Congress passed a controversial $787 billion program stimulus program to prevent another economic depression. Supporters insist the program has created jobs and boosted economic growth. Critics suggest the program was too expensive and did little to create new jobs. Thus far, economic stimulus funds have been spent at a rate of $32 billion per month. Where has the money gone? Click here for more.
Your Money
Are you better off refinancing? Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
Negligent attorney's fee isn't deductible. The Washington Supreme Court held that a legal malpractice award should have been based on the total amount of a settlement lost to the client, without deducting the negligent attorney's hypothetical contingent fee. Click here for more.