End of Saturday delivery would be 'significant change' Jul 3, 2010
The U.S. Postal Service is required to ask the Postal Regulatory Commission for an advisory opinion on its proposed change in nationwide delivery service. "This is one of the most significant changes the Postal Service has ever presented to the commission," Postal Regulatory Commission Chairwoman Ruth Goldway wrote in a message to customers on the commission's website. (Florida Today)
Judge dismisses Norwood ballot suit Jul 2, 2010
The court finds that to issue a declaratory judgment at this time would constitute an advisory opinion. Eaves called Baxter's decision fair. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
AG says Byrne, Bentley in GOP runoff Jun 12, 2010
King issued an advisory opinion Friday that said third-place finisher Tim James, who has asked for a recount, could use it to file an election contest with the Republican Party after a nominee has been picked in the Byrne-Bentley contest July 13 ... The advisory opinion was requested by Secretary of State Beth Chapman to clarify the law because there has never been a recount in a primary for governor of Alabama. (WSFA.com, AL)
Backlog Hinders Probe of Candidate Job Offers Jun 11, 2010
The Office of Special Counsel report, its most recent to Congress, stated that the agency's Hatch Act Unit received a record 445 complaints in 2008 and "recent surges in both complaints and advisory opinion activities, coupled with task force responsibilities, have made the HAU's workload nearly overwhelming.". Mr. Issa previously asked Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. to appoint a Justice Department special prosecutor to investigate the matter. (Newsmax)
Malaysia wants Israel referred to International Criminal Court (Update 1) Jun 7, 2010
The 15-point motion, among others, proposed that the May 31 incident where Israeli forces stormed the humanitarian aid ship Mavi Marmara bound for blockaded Gaza be also referred to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for an advisory opinion ... Among the other resolutions include: - To urge countries to propose a motion to the United Nations General Assembly to seek an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice ... Calling on like-minded countries to bring a resolution to... (The Star Online, Malaysia -- News)
Q&A: Disarmament May 30, 2010
These campaigners quote an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice in 1996 that "there exists an obligation to pursue in good faith and bring to a conclusion negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament in all its aspects under strict and effective international control.". They also quote a final statement from the 2000 NPT Review Conference in which one of the steps agreed was "an unequivocal undertaking by the nuclear-weapon States to accomplish the total elimination of their... (BBC News -- Africa)
Liberia: Politician Warns Against Repeating the Wrongs of the Past May 29, 2010
" he wondered. He said these were enduring questions because it was bizarre that the nation's highest court agreed to undertake a cause in which it obviously lacks constitutional jurisdiction, in which it can at best grant "advisory opinion", and in which it risks possible contempt of the National Legislature in keeping with Article 44 of the Constitution of Liberia. Exclusive right, possible contempt of the Legislature In the opinion of Mr. Brown, the Supreme Court's action was "not simply the... (allAfrica.com)
Mayor's appointment of brother prompts query May 29, 2010
Also on Friday, Councilman Doug Shields sent the state Ethics Commission a letter requesting an advisory opinion on newly elected state Rep ... "Therefore, I respectfully request that the state Ethics Commission render an advisory opinion in this matter.". (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Movie-Making Judge Resigns to Avoid Gag on Promoting Faustian Obama Opus May 11, 2010
North Arlington solicitor Randy Pearce, with whom Del Vecchio practiced law until going on the bench, takes the view that "if it was not such a politically charged movie, there probably would have been a different advisory opinion.". Del Vecchio say the North Arlington Council was well aware of his film activities when he was appointed judge. (Law.com)
Senator's firm capitalizes Apr 18, 2010
A State Ethics Commission advisory opinion issued last October determined that economic development consultants that deal with public policy decisions must register as lobbyists and report regularly to the State Ethics Commission. Pearson said he doesn t do any lobbying. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
Mail delivery cuts mean businesses need to plan ahead Apr 16, 2010
The commission, which will issue a nonbinding advisory opinion, plans to hold hearings in a half-dozen cities, including one tentatively scheduled for May 12 in Sacramento ... First, the law requires the commission to issue an advisory opinion. (Sacramento Business Journal, CA)
Arbiter sides with school district Apr 13, 2010
This advisory opinion is shortsighted and destructive to the Mat-Su economy, he says. The true public interest is in maintaining a school system that will prepare and train Mat-Su students to fill the jobs being created as our community continues to grow. (Wasilla Frontiersman, AK)
All eyes on Schenectady Apr 13, 2010
It took a critical advisory opinion from the state's Committee on Open Government to get even a heavily edited version of the report released. State Supreme Court Justice Barry Kramer was less helpful in a January ruling. (Albany Times Union)
Deal used $19k in campaign cash for ethics defense Apr 10, 2010
Ethics Commission acting executive secretary Tom Plank said he could find no advisory opinion or precedent addressing the use of a state fund to pay for legal fees incurred as part of a federal probe. Deal spokesman Brian Robinson said the campaign merely followed Evans legal advice in writing a check from his state account. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
PRC to consider ending Saturday mail delivery: Apr 4, 2010
The Postal Service is required to ask the Commission for an Advisory Opinion on any change in nationwide service it proposes ... "The Commission is the watchdog agency that determines if the Postal Service meets its Universal Service Obligation to the nation. Our process will provide multiple opportunities for the public to be heard and for all the facts to be considered before the Commission issues its Advisory Opinion," said Chairman Ruth Y. Goldway ... The Commission's Advisory Opinion will... (W. Yellowstone News, MT)
Serbia says sorry for Srebrenica massacre Apr 1, 2010
Belgrade is also keen to show it respects the rulings of the courts before an expected advisory opinion on the legal status of Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008. The massacre is the only episode in Bosnia's bloody 1992-95 war to have been ruled as genocide by the international courts. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Postal service takes comments on 5-day mail Apr 1, 2010
The Commission s Advisory Opinion will be considered by Congress as it reviews the Postal Service s request to change the law. Article Rating. (Green River Star, WY -- Local)
Postal Service advances 5-day plan Mar 27, 2010
The Postal Service Board of Governors on Wednesday approved management s request to cut most Saturday deliveries and will file a request for an advisory opinion with the Postal Regulatory Commission on March 30. Any change in delivery would also require Congressional approval. (Wichita Business Journal, KS)
A role for a judge as we do our job Mar 27, 2010
He also sought an advisory opinion from the state Committee on Open Government -- the authoritative voice on the FOIL statute and related court decision. Last summer, the committee made it clear that the city had no legal basis to withhold the records. (Albany Times Union)
Newtown School Board Mulls Budget Impact Mar 27, 2010
He made a motion to have the Board of Education's attorney request an advisory opinion from Attorney General Richard Blumenthal. Mr. Nanavaty wants to determine if the town charter is in opposition to the state constitution concerning the budgetary role of the Board of Finance, defined as an advisory board by the charter, as it pertains to the Legislative Council's role, defined as the town's fiscal authority. (Voices, CT)
Ark. lawmakers ask AG for opinion on health care Mar 24, 2010
Twenty-five Republican lawmakers on Monday asked McDaniel for an advisory opinion on the overhaul. President Barack Obama on Tuesday signed the $938 billion health reform legislation into law on Tuesday. (KSLA.com, LA)
Halter looks at options for recouping '06 debt Mar 20, 2010
The Arkansas Ethics Commission on Friday said in an advisory opinion that a candidate who withdraws from a race can use surplus funds to pay off debts from past campaigns. A spokesman for Halter says his 2006 campaign for lieutenant governor still owes him about $420,000 that he loaned his bid. (KSLA.com, LA)
Council Censures Rod Tam Mar 18, 2010
Ethics Commission Executive Director and Legal Counsel Chuck Totto told Khon2 the advisory opinion highlighting Tams transgressions was forwarded to the State Attorney Generals office March 8. The AGs office has not returned phone calls on whether a criminal investigation of Tam has been initiated. (Honolulu Star-Bulletin)
Honolulu councilman Tam kept spending amid probe Mar 17, 2010
He noted that the Ethics Commission advisory opinion itself suggests that council members have broad discretion over how the contingency money is spent. According to the advisory opinion, the policy for reimbursements from the contingency account "is broadly worded and may lead to unintended costs being paid from public funds.". (Honolulu Advertiser)
Did MECA Violate Open Meetings Law? Mar 17, 2010
" And because the board took no action on the pre-payment offer, the attorney general's office said any discussion of a purported violation of the Open Meetings Act by MECA "would involve us in a purely academic discussion" of the board's activities."We decline to provide such an advisory opinion," the attorney general's letter noted.In a statement, Common Cause Nebraska criticized the attorney general's office for leaving vague MECA's status as a public entity."The Attorney General simply needs... (7 KETV Omaha)
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The council asked the commission for an advisory opinion to support its move to ban the 55-year tradition. Members of Omaha's Professional Firefighters Union said they're disappointed. (7 KETV Omaha)
APOC: Get our advice before running ads Mar 11, 2010
Hill says corporations exercising their new political free speech rights granted by a January U.S. Supreme Court decision should seek an advisory opinion from her agency. Hill says her office has gotten calls questioning the decision's impact, but no corporations have requested an advisory opinion. (Juneau Empire)
Honolulu councilman Tam denies faking meal expense claims Mar 7, 2010
The commission issued an advisory opinion Wednesday stating Tam violated the city's standard of conduct by overcharging for some meals while conducting city business, falsified justifications for some meals, and got reimbursed for meals with personal business associates or family members ... The advisory opinion lists examples in which Tam was reimbursed for meals with family members and former business associates ... The advisory opinion suggests the council policy on the annual contingency... (Honolulu Advertiser)
Honolulu councilman Tam will pay $13,700 to settle ethics probe Mar 6, 2010
The commission yesterday issued an advisory opinion stating Tam was being asked to reimburse the city for meals, along with paying a $2,000 civil fine, in exchange for the commission dismissing its claims against him ... The 18-page advisory opinion said that from fiscal year 2006 to 2009, Tam was reimbursed for more than $22,000 in meals from his annual contingency fund ... In another case, Tam submitted a guest receipt of $240 from Empress Restaurant on March 31, 2009, under the description... (Honolulu Advertiser)
Tam says he made record-keeping errors on his contingency fund spending Mar 6, 2010
Ethics Commission Executive Director Chuck Totto said it will be up to the city Prosecutor's Office to review the advisory opinion and determine whether criminal charges would be pursued against Tam ... Ethics Commission Executive Director Chuck Totto said it will be up to the city Prosecutor's Office to review the advisory opinion and determine whether criminal charges would be pursued against Tam. (Honolulu Star-Bulletin)
Rod Tam to continue his run for mayor despite ethics violations Mar 6, 2010
The city Ethics Commission yesterday released an advisory opinion in which Tam agreed to pay the city $13,700 in reimbursements and a fine in exchange for dismissing the claims again the two-term councilman. "I'm going to comply to the stipulations on the basis that it was an agreement ... between myself, my attorney Jack Schweigert and Chuck Totto, the legal entity for the Ethics Commission," Tam said, adding that he admits no wrongdoing or violations of any standards of conduct. (Honolulu Advertiser)
Ethics panel says Tam wrongly billed city for meals Mar 5, 2010
An advisory opinion issued by the city Ethics Commission this morning said Tam improperly got reimbursed by the city for meals he purchased for himself and others from 2006 to 2009. According to the opinion issued today by the Ethics Commission: Council member Tam violated the standards of conduct by charging the city for meals in circumstances where (1) he paid less for the meal than the amount he charged the city; (2) justification for the meals was false; (3) the meal was not directly related... (Honolulu Advertiser)
Willing to give up Saturday mail delivery? Mar 3, 2010
Potter s request will be evaluated by the Postal Regulatory Commission, which will issue an advisory opinion to lawmakers. What do you think about these measures. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Business)
Postal Service's debt reducer: Drop Saturday Mar 3, 2010
The independent Postal Regulatory Commission will issue its advisory opinion on the closures this month. The Postal Service has 36,500 retail branches, more than , , and combined, Potter said. (USA Today)
Postal Service seeks 5-day delivery Mar 2, 2010
Potter said Monday he'll submit a formal request by the end of this month to the Postal Regulatory Commission, which must issue an advisory opinion on any change in mail service that would have national impact ... The commission expects to issue its advisory opinion in the next two weeks. (USA Today -- News)
Kosovo slams Serbia on independence anniversary Feb 18, 2010
Once the judges have issued their advisory opinion, Serbia "will do everything for the renewal of status dialogue, in order to find a solution acceptable for all sides," Jeremic told the Danas daily. Kosovo is meanwhile trying to boost its international recognition. (Yahoo! Asia News)
Health Care Do-Over Jan 27, 2010
VAN SUSTEREN: We can't get an advisory opinion on the United States Supreme Court ... The Supreme Court does not give advisory opinions, and that's been established law for a long time. (Fox News)
Let the spigots of free speech flow Jan 26, 2010
In the midst of the 2008 election season, the National Right to Life Committee asked for an advisory opinion about whether its planned advertisements concerning Barack Obama would be banned. After a month in careful consideration, the commission could not decide whether the speech was banned, regulated, or simply free. (Casper Star-Tribune, WY)
Hudgens says he won't reverse money transfer Jan 14, 2010
Paul Leachman of Macon filed a complaint with the commission Tuesday in which he contends the transfer may violate an advisory opinion the commission issued in 2008 that recommends candidates refund the contributions, even if the candidate really is asking the donors to allow him to use the money on his new campaign. Hudgens said he now knows the advice was wrong after reading the 2008 opinion and is seeking direction from the commission. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Tighten up charter process, but keep Gloucester school Jan 13, 2010
That means seeking an advisory opinion from the attorney general or other legal authority on questions such as whether the commissioner can indeed overrule his staff. Both the Senate and House versions of a promising education reform bill would also tighten up the charter school assessment process. (Boston Globe)
Man claims Hudgens shifted funds illegally Jan 12, 2010
Paul Leachman of Macon contends the transfer may violate an advisory opinion the commission issued in 2008 that recommends candidates refund the contributions, even if the candidate is really asking the donors to allow him to use the money on his new campaign. "I do not work for, or represent any campaign in any way," Leachman said in an e-mail accompanying his complaint. (Athens Banner-Herald)
