Burger urges prison reform and literacy for inmates
James Burger, chief justice, spoke at Washington University of Law urging mandatory literacy and expanded vocational training for prisoners. He argued society has a moral duty to rehabilitate inmates and warned about domestic terrorism and rising crime. He pressed Congress to fund court administration and ethics education while noting the nation’s insecurity at home.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
James Reston
New York Times
Washington
United States
Capitol Hill
Jen Burger
Minnesota
Supreme Court
Ean Washington University of Law
Bar Association
Burger
Pentagon
Quest for Equity in Illinois Farmland Taxation Gains Senate Support
The Illinois Senate unanimously passed a bill replacing land value with net production income as the farmland tax base to reflect farmers’ ability to pay. The change aims to curb inequitable levies caused by weather, late planting, and past formulas, with 1981 weather prospects offering cautious optimism for Southern Illinois farmers. The measure, if enacted, would simplify tax assessments and shift the burden toward net income, inviting scrutiny of local government taxation.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Illinois
Senate
House
Perry
Williamson
State Department of Revenue
Springfield
Southern Illinois
Township multipliers and tax fairness in local government
State equalizers set by the state aim to balance tax bills across counties by multiplier figures. Some counties, like Jackson and Union, show major inequities due to township variances. Local officials must scrutinize revenue sources and set township multipliers to avoid overtaxing some residents.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jackson County
Union County
Hat
Supreme Court Hints on Preventive Detention Bail Law
The Supreme Court signaled support for Chief Justice Burger's idea to hold dangerous suspects without bail before trial. The Texas murder case and a forthcoming DC preventive detention appeal frame whether pretrial denial of bail based on future dangerousness is constitutional. The court notes such judgments can rest on judge or jury determinations and may not require medical expert backing.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
United States
Lyle Denniston
Washington Star
Washington
The
Supreme Court
Warren E. Burger
Texas
Burger
District of Columbia
D.C. Court of Appeals
American Psychiatric Association
Congress seeks to reduce gun controls in 97th Congress
Bill Keller reports that lawmakers show little appetite for broad gun control. NRA and allied groups push to weaken enforcement, while White House support remains weak. Gun owners, many raised with firearms, mobilize strongly when called.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Congress
Bill Keller
Congressional Quarterly
Washington
Gan
Bandnees
Michael K. Beard
National Coalition To
Handgun Control Inc
Donald Fraher
House
Senate
National Rifle Association
Citizens Committee For the Right To
Gun Owners of America
NRA
John Lennon
White House
Reagan
Denver
the Rifle Association
Also Mentioned on This Page
Earl Warren
Warren Burger
Congress of
Institute For Court Management
National Center For State Courts
Federal Judicial Service
American Bar Association
Houston
Seawice
EIN
NEA
Dallas
Ernest Benjamin Smith
Harold L. Volkmer
D-Mo
James A. McClure
Idaho
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
BATF
Charles E. Grassley
Lowa
Jack Fields
K-Texas
James D. Wright
University of Massachusetts
National Institute of Justice
Bill Pickens
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