| Volume 59 Number 9 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
Shakespeare said, "Neither a borrower, nor a lender be." He could have added, or a co-signer, surety or guarantor. Whenever you co-sign for someone, you must pay if they do not. If they stop paying or file bankruptcy, you must pay. Don't ever co-sign for someone unless you will be able to pay. Click here for more.
Federal Taxes Cause Increase in Airfare
Beer, cigarettes, and guns have nothing on airline tickets. When it comes to taxes, consumers pay 2% more in taxes for an airline ticket (20%) than for a pack of cigarettes (18%). The government charges consumers a passenger ticket tax, a flight segment tax, a frequent-flier tax, a cargo waybill tax, a commercial jet fuel tax, and a 9/11 fee every time they travel. With all the extra charges, a $150 ticket quickly hits $185. Representatives for airlines claim the demand for air travel is elastic, which means the airlines will lose potential consumers every time the government increases the price of a ticket. How much are you paying in taxes when you travel? How is the government spending the money? Click here for more.
Tips for Sharing on Facebook
Facebook has over 500 million users worldwide. Fifty percent of its users sign in daily. With such a global reach, Facebook can be a very effective tool in communicating with your friends and the public as a whole. Do you have something to share? Learn how to effectively distribute information on Facebook. Click here for more.
Lawyers Disagree With Toyota Findings
Although Government investigators have determined that electronic defects did not cause Toyota vehicles to accelerate out of control, a group of plaintiff's attorneys disagree. The report, based on studies conducted by NASA engineers, took the steam out of some pending litigation. The report finds that only 1 out of every 100,000 vehicles had unintended acceleration. Critics point out that the government only tested nine vehicles, making the odds of finding a problem vehicle "very slim." How will attorneys proceed after the government's report? Click here for more.
Texas Lawmakers Push for Guns on Campus
The Texas Legislature is ready to allow concealed handguns on campuses of state universities. More than half of the members of the Texas House are listed as co-authors of the bill purported to protect students from mass shootings, like those in Colorado and Virginia. If the law passes (and it probably will), Texas will become only the second state to allow concealed handguns on campuses. The bill covers 38 public universities and more than 500,000 students.
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Your Money
How much should you put down on a new house? Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
Federal standards do not preempt motorcycle helmet class action suit. The Sixth Circuit held that the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 does not preempt a class action over allegedly defective motorcycle helmets. Click here for more.