Taylor Walker
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Articles by Taylor Walker
Canadians Deserve Affordable EVs. Why Are We Paying More Than the Rest of the World?
Canadians aren’t paying more for electric vehicles (EVs) because affordable EVs don’t exist. They’re paying more because too few affordable models make it to Canadian dealerships. The federal government has made electrification central to its vision for Canada’s economic future. Back in February, they announced that a new vehicle emissions standard would be developed, which is the clearest test yet of whether that vision will translate into policies that deliver for Canadians.
Canadian Clean Fleet Awards shortlist highlights fleets scaling up electrification
TORONTO — Canadian businesses are putting electric vehicles (EVs) to work across their operations, with more than 350 additional EVs on order for 2026 among this year’s Canadian Clean Fleet Award applicants. The applicants collectively operate more than 25,000 vehicles across seven provinces, with fleets ranging from delivery vans and taxis to heavy-duty trucks. The nominations show that businesses across Canada are electrifying.
Germline cancer risk alleles drive myelodysplastic neoplasms throughout adulthood
The role of inherited cancer risk alleles in driving myelodysplastic neoplasms (MDS) has received increased attention in recent years. MDS diagnosed in very young children is often caused by pathogenic (P)/likely pathogenic (LP) germline variants in SAMD9 and SAMD9L, with GATA2 and bone marrow failure genes becoming more important throughout childhood and teenage years [1].
South Carolina Ends Legislation through Regulation
When citizens challenge the government in court, they should expect a level playing field. They’ll get it now in South Carolina after Gov. Henry McMaster signed H. 3021, legislation that requires judges to interpret the law independently and not blindly defer to the interpretations of unelected bureaucrats. Also known as the Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act, H. 3021 eliminates judicial deference to the administrative state, ensuring the legal deck is no longer stacked against everyday citizens.
Canada risks being left behind if it fails to align with the global auto market
Canada’s auto sector supports more than 500,000 workers and anchors manufacturing communities across Ontario. But as the global car market rapidly electrifies, future jobs and investments will increasingly flow to countries that provide policy certainty and long-term market growth. Canada risks being left behind. The global shift to electric vehicles (EVs) is already well underway. Global EV sales are projected to reach 23 million in 2026, representing nearly 30% of all new car sales worldwide.
Oklahoma Signs Right to Try 2.0 Into Law
In a major win for rare-disease patients in Oklahoma, Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed the Goldwater Institute’s model Right to Try for Individualized Treatments Act, a cutting-edge law that empowers patients to seek personalized treatments designed just for them. Sponsored by state Sen. Brenda Stanley and state Reps.
Canada’s fleets are going electric and the Clean Fleet Awards are shining a spotlight
Across Canada, a growing number of businesses are stepping up and leading the transition to electric vehicles. These companies are making the strategic decision to modernize their fleets and to lower their fuel and maintenance costs. They are investing in the future of transportation and in doing so, they are helping create cleaner, quieter, more efficient transportation for their operations and for the communities they serve.
Diversified EV sector best way to protect Canadian workers Original
Canada’s automotive industry faces a long-standing structural vulnerability rooted in its heavy reliance on a single export market: the United States (U.S.). This vulnerability did not emerge from electric vehicle (EV) policies, but rather has defined the industry for decades. With more than 80% of vehicles manufactured in Canada destined for the U.S., the sector is dependent on a single demand source and is therefore deeply exposed to the volatility of U.S. trade policy.
Americans Gain New Protections Against “Debanking”
For years, some Americans have lived with the uneasy possibility that their access to banking could be revoked, not for breaking the law but for holding the wrong politics. That practice—known as debanking—has quietly expanded the power of unelected regulators, turning banks into tools for political control.
Victory! NC Legislature Overrides Veto to Enact REINS Act
In a major win for separation of powers and limited government, the North Carolina legislature overrode Governor Josh Stein’s veto of the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act, otherwise known as the REINS Act. Under HB 402, any rule or regulation with a price tag of at least $20 million over a five-year period now requires approval from the state’s legislature.
Victory! North Carolina Breaks Down Barriers to Work
It’s now easier for licensed professionals to get to work in North Carolina thanks to a new law signed by Governor Josh Stein, which requires state licensing boards to recognize certain out-of-state licenses from neighboring states. It’s an important step toward universal recognition of occupational licenses—a reform championed by the Goldwater Institute nationwide. About one in four jobs in America requires an occupational license—a government permission slip to work.
Probation Moving Incarcerated Kids Out of “Unsuitable” Juvenile Hall After Court Approval, But Oversight Commission Says Simply Relocating Kids Won’t Solve Root Problems |
The Los Angeles County Probation Department began moving kids between youth lockups this week, as part of a plan to reduce the population inside Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. Living conditions in Los Padrinos are so bad that the Board of State and Community Corrections declared it uninhabitable, and Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Miguel Espinoza ordered the county to come up with a plan to close the facility.
Oklahoma Knocks Out the Administrative State
Government has grown out of control as unelected bureaucrats in state agencies wield unchecked legislative power that encroaches on individual liberties. But this week, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signed two groundbreaking Goldwater Institute reforms that rein in this Administrative State and put power back in the hands of the people.
Open for Business: WV Eases Burden on Home-Based Businesses
In exciting news out of the Mountain State, West Virginia has enacted sweeping protections for small businesses by adopting the Goldwater Institute’s Home-Based Business Fairness Act. This reform, signed into law by Governor Patrick Morrisey, allows hardworking West Virginians to run a no-impact small business from home without having to first jump through hoops to get a costly, time-consuming permission slip from their local government.
LA County Supes Order “Transparency in Planning During Probation’s Ongoing Crisis”
On Tuesday, April 1, four of the five Los Angeles County Supervisors expressed their displeasure with the LA County Probation Department with a motion directing the department to be more transparent and involve the board, other county departments, and the community in its plans for “dramatic changes” to the juvenile halls and camps.
LA County Probation Presents “Global Plan” for Housing Youth in Halls and Camps
Two years ago, on March 7, 2023, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors directed the LA County Probation Department to develop what they called a “Global Plan” to reorganize and move incarcerated youth between the county’s juvenile halls and camps.
Detroit workers commemorate Ford Hunger March 93 years later
DETROIT—On March 7, 1932, during the depths of the Great Depression, more than 5,000 unemployed auto workers and their supporters marched up to the River Rouge auto plant. Their goal was to demand jobs and relief from billionaire capitalist Henry Ford. This historic protest, known as the Ford Hunger March, ended in tragedy when Ford’s private security and local police opened fire on the demonstrators, killing five and injuring dozens.
In 11th Hour Move, Michigan Legislature Adopts Amended Minimum Wage and Earned Sick and Safe Time Requirements | JD Supra
February 24, 2025 Angela Johnson, Aaron Vance, Taylor Brook Walker Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP + Follow x Following x Following - Unfollow Contact To embed, copy and paste the code into your website or blog: The previously reinstated versions of the Improved Workforce Wage Opportunity Act (IWOWA) and Michigan Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) were set to go into effect on February 21, 2025.
New Data Source Offers Answers About How Frequently People Are Booked Into Jail and Why
In 2023, 5.6 million individuals were booked into U.S. jails. Because approximately 1.2 million of those people — more than one in five — were jailed at least twice, there were a total of 7.6 million bookings across the nation. These numbers, which come from an analysis by the Prison Policy Initiative in collaboration with the Jail Data Initiative, offer new insight into repeat jail bookings, a statistic the U.S. Bureau of Justice does not track or report.
Most Crime Survivors Want Community Support, Not Long Prison Sentences, According to Survey
A newly released national survey of crime survivors suggests that their needs and desires do not align with “tough on crime” laws and policies. According to the survey conducted by the Alliance for Safety and Justice, what most survivors want are initiatives that interrupt the cycle of violence at the community level, not more carceral punishment. Approximately one-third of the 1,200 random people the Alliance surveyed, said they had been victims of violent crime within the last 10 years.
Employer Obligations and Voting Leave Requirements Before the 2024 Election | JD Supra
In advance of the 2024 election, and before any election season, employers should familiarize themselves with voting leave laws and other employee rights related to election season. Among states that require voting leave, the leave requirements vary. Some of these variables include: the amount of leave, whether leave is paid or unpaid, employee eligibility based on work hours, notice, scheduling restrictions, and employer posting obligations.
New California Laws Part 1: Governor Signs Bills Focused on Domestic Violence and Support for Victims
In the weeks leading up to a September 30 deadline, California Governor Gavin Newsom made final decisions on more than 1,000 bills. As in previous years, we have put together a series of updates on some of the justice-related bills WitnessLA has been tracking this year, starting with bills addressing domestic violence and support for survivors. Among the newly signed bills was AB 2432, a bill to bolster the California Crime Victims Fund, which has long struggled to stay afloat.
10,000 Arizonans Free to Work Thanks to Goldwater’s Reform
Government red tape makes it difficult—if not impossible—for some Americans to get to work. But five years after Arizona enacted the Goldwater Institute’s universal recognition of occupational licenses reform in Arizona, over 10,000 professionals can now practice their profession without having to jump through onerous government-imposed hurdles to do it.
Prop. 6 Would Ban Involuntary Servitude in All Forms in California
The California Constitution prohibits slavery — unless it is carried out as a punishment for a crime. This carveout makes it possible for prisons and jails to force incarcerated people to work, or else face discipline. On November 5, California voters will decide whether to change the state constitution to ban involuntary servitude in every form. If voters approved Prop.
Community Groups Withdraw Support for Bill After Amendment Authorizes Solitary Confinement of Pregnant People
Passed by both the California Assembly and Senate, AB 2527, the “Dignified Care of Incarcerated Pregnancy Act,” will soon face a final decision from Governor Gavin Newsom. One significant amendment in the final hours cost the bill the support of more than 60 community groups and advocacy organizations.
National Trends in Youth Incarceration and Extreme Sentences
Two new reports from The Sentencing Project reveal that while the number of kids in juvenile carceral facilities in the United States has dropped exponentially over the last 20 years, there are still thousands of people serving life sentences after being convicted of crimes as minors or young adults. In the first report, data analysis shows that the number of youth locked in juvenile facilities on a typical day fell 75% between 2000 and 2022, from 108,800 to 27,600.
Michigan Supreme Court Reinstates Voter-Initiated Sick Leave Law | JD Supra
Effective February 21, 2025, the Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) applies to all employees in Michigan and covers employees not eligible for sick leave under the Paid Medical Leave Act (PMLA). The ESTA contains anti-retaliation and anti-interference provisions, and allows employees to bring a civil action against their employer for violation of the ESTA.
Sheriff's Department reminds residents to take caution around school buses
Our schools started back last week on Thursday August 1, 2024! This means our school buses will be back out on our roads transporting our children to and from school! Please utilize extreme caution during school hours while traveling through our school crossings, and BE WATCHING for our buses! kAm!2C6?ED @7 49:=5C6? H9@> 2C6 5C:G:?8[ A=62D6 E2=< H:E9 J@FC 49:=5C6? E@52J E@ C6>:?5 E96> @7 E96 D6C:@FD?6DD @7 D276EJ DFCC@F?5:?8 @FC D49@@= 3FD6D] !=62D6 6IA=2:?
Removing Barriers to Family Reunification in LA County
On Tuesday, July 23, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion focused on removing barriers to family reunification for parents and their children in foster care. The insurmountable barrier of incarceration The motion, by Supervisors Hilda Solis and Janice Hahn, focuses particularly on helping parents who are incarcerated and thus, unable to participate in court-ordered reunification programs.
LA County Supervisors Seek Better Access to Subsidized Housing for Foster Youth Aging Out of the System
Volunteers for the 2024 census of unhoused people in Los Angeles County counted 3,718 youth ages 18-24 who were unhoused, including 370 transition-aged youth living unhoused with their own children. Half of the approximately 1,100 young adults who transition out of foster care in Los Angeles County each year experience homelessness or housing instability, according to county officials.
Colorado’s 2024 Legislative Session Leads to Big Changes for Colorado Employers | JD Supra
HB24-1360: Colorado Disability Opportunity Office — Effective July 1, 2024 HB24-1129: Protections for Delivery Network Company (DNC) Drivers — Effective August 7, 2024 HB24-1220: Workers’ Compensation Disability Benefits — Effective August 7, 2024 HB24-1324: Attorney General Enforcement of Void Restrictive Employment Agreements — Effective August 7, 2024 HB24-1124: Discrimination in Places of Public Accommodation — Effective August 7, 2024 HB24-1451: Hair Length Added to the CROWN Act —...
Supes Say No More Dehumanizing Rationing of Menstrual Products in LA Jails and Youth Facilities
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors passed a motion to ensure that the county’s youth and adult carceral facilities comply with a law requiring incarcerated people have access to free tampons and pads. In 2020, California legislators passed AB 732, the “Reproductive Dignity for Incarcerated People Act,” which mandated access to free menstrual products in jails, prisons, and juvenile facilities.
The Cost of Domestic Violence in California
Intimate partner violence (IPV) costs the state of California approximately $73.7 billion annually, due to costs associated with health care for victims, policing and the criminal legal system, and response programs, as well as the indirect cost of loss of income for those involved, according to a new report from UC San Diego’s School of Medicine and the Newcomb Institute at Tulane University.
CA Bills Aim to Improve Care and Outcomes for Victims of Domestic Violence
Under current California law, a healthcare provider who suspects a patient’s physical injuries were caused by assault or abuse is required to make a report to law enforcement. While intended to protect victims, this mandated reporting law can deter people experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) from seeking medical care or other assistance.
Advocates Say CA Governor Should Address Budget Deficit by Closing More Prisons
Faced with a budget deficit of approximately $56 billion over the next two years, California Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed, in his May budget revision, significant cuts to spending on homelessness prevention programs and affordable housing, CalWORKS, child care, education, public health, and climate programs.
How Prisons Use “Inmate Welfare Funds” Filled with Commissary and Communication Fees to Supplement Their Budgets
In prison systems across the U.S., portions of the fees charged to incarcerated people and their families — for phone calls, financial services, commissary items, and more — flow into what are known as “Inmate Welfare Funds.” As the name suggests, these pots of money are ostensibly meant to pay for things that benefit incarcerated people as a whole, like recreational and educational services.
LA County CEO Presents 2024-25 Draft Budget
On Tuesday, April 23, Los Angeles County CEO Fesia Davenport unveiled the county’s first official budget proposal for fiscal year 2024-25.
LA Supes Reorganize Men’s Central Jail Closure Efforts
On Tuesday, April 9, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion to move the county’s Jail Closure Implementation Team (JCIT) out of one department and into another, and to “empower” JCIT to actually close the dangerously run-down Men’s Central Jail, a goal the county has been working toward for more than a decade. That doesn’t necessarily mean the closure will happen any time soon.
New LA County Program Helps Unhoused People Resolve Legal Problems Blocking Access to Housing
On March 21, the LA County Public Defender’s Office officially launched the Community Outreach Court (COC), a program to help unhoused community members clear up legal issues that may block them from accessing housing.
The New Era of Network and Cybersecurity in Schools | Cradlepoint
Tailored filtering, management, and isolation solutions ensure K-12 network and internet security keep pace with an explosion of connectivity across campuses Technology is an indispensable educational asset. Today, tablets, laptops, and interactive whiteboards are ubiquitous in classrooms, alongside online platforms accessible from anywhere. These tools have transformed classrooms, auditoriums, and even buses into vibrant learning hubs that foster collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity.
Four People Exonerated After Decades in Prison for Wrongful Murder Convictions
Four men who lost nearly 80 years to imprisonment combined after being wrongfully convicted of murder, based on faulty eyewitness testimony, have been exonerated in the first two-and-a-half months of 2024. The first two newly freed men, Jofama Coleman and Abel Soto, were 20 and 15 years old when they were accused of the 2003 murder of 16-year-old Jose Robles in Los Angeles.
New CA Justice Bills for 2024
In the first two months of 2024, California lawmakers have introduced new noteworthy criminal justice bills, and reintroduced bills that failed to make it to the governor’s desk in 2023. Below, we’ve gathered some of the bills readers may want to have on their radar this legislative season. Bills meant to prevent mass shootings The first bill, by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) would strengthen the state’s gun violence restraining order (GVRO) law — also known as the red flag law. Sen.
Police Solving Fewer Crimes Despite Increased Spending, Says New Report
Over the past three decades, clearance rates for serious crimes have dropped by 41 percent in California, according to a new report by Dr. Mike Males, Senior Research Fellow at the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice (CJCJ). Crime clearance rates are the closest measures we have to showing how many crimes are solved. A crime is considered “cleared” (or solved) if law enforcement arrests someone for that crime and refers them to the district attorney’s office for prosecution.
A New 5-Year Plan for Closing Men’s Central Jail
On January 30, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors received a new five-year plan for closing the dangerously decrepit Men’s Central Jail without a replacement facility. This new plan isn’t the county’s first roadmap for shuttering the jail, nor is it the most expedient.
Punishing Families Part 3: It Starts With a Phone Call
This is the third in a multi-part series about racial and economic disparities in LA County’s child welfare system, and the impact family surveillance and separation has on kids and their parents. Mandated reporting laws have led to a flood of calls to report suspected child abuse and neglect, burying calls about kids who are in critical danger, while subjecting many more families whose children are safe to unnecessary surveillance and separation.
CA Attorney General Issues Guidelines for Prosecutors to Implement Race-blind Charging
In 2022, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill, AB 2778, meant to reduce racial bias in the criminal legal system by requiring prosecutors’ offices to implement “race-blind” charging practices starting January 1, 2025. This means that a prosecuting agency will need to redact from a case any information that would identify the race of those involved, including any victims or witnesses.
LA County Supervisors Call for More Data Collection, Staff Searches, and Treatment Programs to Stop Jail Overdose Deaths
On Tuesday, December 19, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion aimed at reducing overdose deaths in LA County jails. In their motion, Supervisors Hilda Solis and Janice Hahn note that each year between 2018 and 2022, an average of 37.8 people died in the jails. Approximately 20 percent of those people died due to an overdose, according to the coroner’s office.
New Laws Part 5 - Crime and Courts
On January 1, 2024, many of the hundreds of bills that California Governor Gavin Newsom signed this fall will go into effect. As the new year draws closer, we move to the next part in our series rounding up some of the noteworthy justice-related bills. Earlier stories in this series looked at bills addressing conditions of incarceration in California, policing issues, youth justice, and assistance for crime survivors. In this latest story, we’ll look at bills related to crime and the court system.
New Laws Part 4: Help for Victims
In October, California Governor Gavin Newsom made the final call on what remained of hundreds of bills that legislators sent to his desk for approval. Many of these bills pertained to the criminal legal system, so we decided to break the list up into multiple stories. Earlier parts in this series looked at bills addressing conditions of incarceration in California, policing issues, and youth justice. In this latest story, we’ll look at the 2023 bills meant to directly aid crime survivors.
New 2023 Youth Justice Laws
In October, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed and vetoed the last of hundreds of bills that state legislators sent to his desk. Because so many of these bills were justice-related, WitnessLA has broken the list up into multiple stories highlighting individual categories. Earlier stories in this series looked at bills addressing conditions of incarceration in California and policing issues.
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