Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine have joined other Democratic senators in asking the federal government to enforce policies affecting gay and transgendered college students. This is partially in response to North Carolina’s law that mandates transgendered students use bathrooms according to their biological sex. Does the federal government have a place in policing school policies on bathroom use?

http://wavy.com/2016/05/04/senators-mark-warner-tim-kaine-ask-for-lgbt-guidelines-for-schools/

The state government recently fined Uber $11.4 million for operating in the state without approval from the Public Utility Commission. Even Gov. Wolf contends this fine is too high. Is it fair for the state to impose such a heavy penalty on Uber when the state’s rules are ambiguous and the company is now operating legally in Pennsylvania?

http://www.delcotimes.com/article/DC/20160503/NEWS/160509917

The state Senate Education Committee has reported-out Senate Bill 826 to replace the “Common Core” curriculum in Michigan public schools with a model based on the one used by Massachusetts before Common Core was adopted there. Supporters say the Massachusetts curriculum is unique for having empirical evidence of effectiveness.

Common Core has been highly controversial in Michigan and elsewhere. It was adopted here by the state Board of Education, a move that was later grudgingly approved by the Legislature, which added conditions that the state’s statewide testing regime not be based on the model.
The legislation could be taken up by the full Senate at any time, at the discretion of the Senate Majority Leader.

Regulation for Thee but Not Me?

Michigan imposes a licensure mandate on trade schools that subjects them to regulation, fees, government inspections, reporting requirements and more. This week the state Senate passed a bill to exempt a particular kind of trade school from the mandate.

According to an analysis prepared by the House Fiscal Agency, part of the rationale for the bills was, “the regulations reportedly have created a business environment that deters many…from offering or expanding instruction programs.”

Operators of other trade schools may be wondering why, if the law is considered a deterrent to business, the bill didn’t repeal the licensure mandate for all trade schools.

The law covers what are called “proprietary schools,” and give classes in subjects that include boat building, massage therapy and others. The schools that got the special exemption through the Senate are yoga instructors.