How Not to Criticize the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021

MICHAEL C. DORF

Cornell law professor Michael C. Dorf responds to three broad-based objections by Republican opponents to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: (1) that the already-recovering economy doesn’t need stimulus; (2) that many of the Act’s provisions have nothing to do with COVID-19; and (3) that there will be waste, fraud, and abuse. Professor Dorf explains why these objections ring hollow and argues that while the Act is not perfect legislation and will likely face challenges in implementation, it is a much better option than anything Republicans were offering.

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State v. Clark

Citation: 2021 ME 12

Opinion Date: March 16, 2021

Judge: Joseph Jabar

Areas of Law: Criminal Law

The Supreme Judicial Court affirmed Defendant's judgment of conviction for intentional or knowing murder, holding that the district court did not err or abuse its discretion. On appeal, Defendant argued that the trial court erred in refusing to give a jury instruction on the affirmative defense of adequate provocation, erroneously denied his motion to suppress multiple confessions, and abuse its discretion in denying his motion to recuse the presiding justice. The Supreme Judicial Court affirmed, holding that the trial court (1) correctly determined that the jury instruction for adequate provocation was not generated by the evidence; (2) did not err in determining that the statements Defendant sought to suppress were voluntary; and (3) did not abuse its discretion by denying Defendant's motion to recuse.