| Volume 88 Number 1 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
In Texas, there is no wage garnishment except for child support, student loans, and certain taxes. A debt collector's threat to garnish your wages when he cannot do so, for example for a credit card debt, violates Texas and federal debt collection laws.
For more general information about the law, check out my website.
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Student Loan Interest Rates to Double
Student loan rates will double today (July 1) after federal lawmakers failed to cut a deal to keep the 3.4% interest rate in place. As a result, the interest rate on federal Stafford loans will hit 6.8%.
Although congress is taking a week-long break for the July 4th holiday, lawmakers could vote on a one year extension on July 10. In the interim, the National Association of Student Financial Aid is advising schools to prepare for the rate increase.
What will the rate increase mean for the future affordability of higher education?
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The Business Traveler Tax Threat
Have you ever traveled to another state to work for the day?
You could owe state income tax and not even know it!
As it stands, only nine states don't impose a business traveler tax. However, the other states do impose a traveler tax. In some states, business travelers are required to file a tax return even if they're only in the state for a few hours. However, every state has different rules.
Are you a business traveler? Are you required to file additional tax returns?
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Senate Passes Sweeping Immigration Reform
For the first time in six years, the United States Senate tackled, and successfully passed, reform of the nation's immigration system.
Although a bipartisan effort, the legislation is likely to be stonewalled by the House.
Is sweeping immigration reform right around the corner?
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Your Money
How much should you put down for a new home?
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For the Lawyers
Supreme Court upholds arbitrator's decision allowing class arbitration.
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld an arbitrator's decision that a particular arbitration clause authorized class arbitration. Justice Kagan wrote the main opinion, which was unanimous. The standard of review of arbitrators' decisions under the Federal Arbitration Act is highly deferential. So "the sole question for us," the Court stated, "is whether the arbitrator (even arguably) interpreted the parties’ contract, not whether he got its meaning right or wrong."
The Court agreed that the arbitrator was interpreting the contract, and that was that.
In a concurring opinion, Justice Alito and Justice Thomas suggested that any eventual class arbitration judgment in the case would be susceptible to collateral attack.
Click here for more.