| Volume 88 Number 2 |
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The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
Money, Credit and the Law—Know Your Rights!
In today’s economy, more and more people are having trouble keeping up with their bills.
This video, produced by the Center for Consumer Law, provides help managing your finances, and explains how knowing the law gives you the flexibility you need to deal with creditors and debt collectors.
Click here for more.
Defense Employees Begin Furloughs
From now until September 21, Department of Defense workers receive a 20% pay cut through mandatory furloughs.
As a result of the sequester (spending cuts), civilian workers will be required to take off one day a week. Other branches of the federal government have already begun mandatory furloughs. The Department of Defense is the largest in terms of number of employees facing unpaid time off.
A union representative notes that the cuts will greatly reduce the speed by which the Department of Defense operates. Notably, a number of repairs will be delayed that could leave troops in danger.
What do mandatory government furloughs mean for you?
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House Makes Plans for Immigration Reform
The United States Senate recently passed comprehensive immigration reform. The result of long days, hard work, and bipartisan compromise, the Senate passed a measure believed to have broad support across party lines.
Not surprisingly, the United States House of Representatives has decided to "do our own thing". House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul told "Face the Nation" that he believes Americans do not want comprehensive reform. Instead, he contends they want "regular-order pieces of legislation."
Was the Senate's work all for nothing? How long before the House passes legislation of its own?
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Chrysler Recalls 840,000 Vehicles
Chrysler has issued five recalls, totaling 840,000 vehicles, in the United States and around the world to address flawed head rests.
This recall includes model years 2011 - 2013 Chrysler Sebring, Chrysler 200, Dodge Avenger and Jeep Liberty vehicles, and 2011 - 2012 Dodge Nitro SUVs.
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Your Money
How long will it take you to pay off your line of credit?
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For the Lawyers
Class action prohibition in arbitration provision is unenforceable.
The Massachusetts Supreme Court stated that, after Concepcion, a general public-policy-based prohibition on class-action bans could not be sustained. However, the court concluded that the principle that arbitration procedures must not effectively preclude plaintiffs from pursuing their claims survives Concepcion.
In the instant case, the court found the ban effectively denied meaningful relief and, therefore, was unenforceable.
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