In case you missed it…

Education:

Real educational choice for parents and children is one step closer to becoming a reality in Nevada, after a Clark County District Court Judge dismissed the ACLU’s lawsuit against the state’s Education Savings Account program. Even though an injunction remains on the program as the Nevada Supreme Court hears another challenge to the law, Wednesday’s news was a big step in the right direction. (Read more)

Welfare and public assistance:

When Maine decided to place limits on welfare, critics argued the reforms would leave the state’s impoverished families devastated and hungry. In reality, it has done exactly the opposite. One woman who had found herself trapped in a never-ending cycle of government assistance has since pulled herself from poverty — and she credits the state’s limits on welfare for her new lease on life. “Nothing feels as good as earning your own money,” she told the Daily Signal. (Read more)

Climate Change:

A libertarian nonprofit group is seeking damages from the U.S. Virgin Islands’ chief law enforcement officer. Virgin Islands Attorney General Claude Walker had joined with Democrat attorneys general in 17 states who have been pursuing racketeering charges against Exxon Mobil and various non-profit think tanks, for their denial of man-made global warming. Attorneys representing the Competitive Enterprise Institute filed a motion in Washington D.C. against Walker, citing a law that protects policy groups from harassment and politically-motivated legal action. (Read more)

Civil asset forfeiture:

Congress is finally taking a small step toward reforming policies that allow law enforcement agencies to confiscate the property of citizens without due process. Newly proposed legislation would raise the burden of proof from a “preponderance of evidence” to “clear and convincing” evidence, which makes it more difficult for the government to use asset forfeiture moving forward. While it is not a full restoration of private property rights or due process, it is at least a shift in the right direction after decades of systematic abuse by various agencies. (Read more)

Security and privacy:

There might be one upside to the TSA’s abysmal performance in recent months: Airports are now considering booting the agency from their property, and replacing them with private security firms. Management from the three major airports in New York are fed up with TSA’s long lines, inconsistent performance standards and repeated security lapses. As a result, they’re thinking about firing the feds, and turning to the private sector for their security needs. (Read more)