| Volume 85 Number 11 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
A good way to protect yourself when you move out of your apartment is to tell the landlord to keep the security deposit as the last month's rent, right? Wrong! Under Texas law, withholding your last month's rent could result in a penalty of twice the rent plus an additional $100.
What are your rights when you haven't paid your rent?
Click here for more.
House Briefly Abolishes Lottery Commission
Last week, the Texas House of Representatives voted to abolish the Texas Lottery Commission. Mere hours after the unusual vote, the House voted again to reverse the action. Lottery critics insist that it is a "tax on poor people" and is "immoral and wrong." Ending the Texas Lottery Commission would have left a massive budget gap, effectively crippling funding for public schools.
To read about the hoopla over the Texas Lottery Commission,
Click here for more.
Rainwater Harvesting & Collection Laws
Is it legal to collect rain water?
The answer may not be as simple as it seems. Last year, an Oregon man served a 30 day jail sentence for collecting 13 million gallons of rain water in his own reservoirs. He was found guilty of violating a 1925 Oregon law against private water collection.
Several states have guidelines for harvesting rainwater. Many, including Texas, publish readily available guidelines.
To read about rainwater harvesting,
Click here for more.
When to Throw Out Old Medications
It's time for Spring cleaning!
This year, when you throw away the clutter and straighten-up your home, make sure to pay special attention to your medicine cabinet.
Take some time to check your old medications for expiration dates. If the medication has expired, contact your pharmacy to inquire about its disposal services. In some instances, medications may become toxic after expiration. For example, expired tetracycline cause kidney problems. In most instances, however, the medication may simply lose some effectiveness over time.
Be especially mindful of controlled substances and hormone replacement drugs.
How can you safely dispose of old medications?
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Your Money
What is the return on your stock if you sell it now?
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For the Lawyers
Defendant can’t moot consumer class action. Maryland’s highest court held that a consumer fraud defendant could not moot a putative class action by tendering full individual relief to the lead plaintiff. The court noted that “[A] tender of individual relief to the putative class representative does not moot a class action if the individual plaintiff has not had a reasonable opportunity to seek class certification, including any necessary discovery.”
Click here for more.