The use of anonymously financed ‘friend of the court’ briefs at the Supreme Court has increased over time. This essay examines these amicus briefs and their dark-money impact on not just the court but American politics in general. Despite their good intentions, these regulations, as construed by the courts, contain a fundamental loophole: designed to restrict anonymous donations, any funding set for “preparing or submitting the brief” needs to be disclosed; thus, any funding not earmarked for “formatting, printing, and delivering” the brief can be kept anonymous. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
