Blog by: Caroline Butler
In this blog, 3L Staffer Caroline Butler discusses a $320 million, 2,000-acre proposal to expand Bluegrass Station to include a military airport was made public. Butler argues that this proposal and the problems surrounding it, such as eminent domain and public pushback.
Blog by: Madison Boggs
In her blog, 2L Staffer Madison Boggs discusses the passage of the Whole Milk For Healthy Kids Act in the House of Representatives. The Act seeks to amend existing federal regulations governing school lunches, allowing schools to offer a broader range of milk choices to students, including whole, reduced-fat, and fat-free varieties. Boggs emphasizes the significant contribution of discarded milk in school cafeterias to food waste and advocates for expanding beverage options, including plant-based milks, in schools to tackle this widespread issue.
Blog by: Matthew Pakkala
In this blog, 3L staffer Matthew Pakkala discusses the ongoing crisis facing the Florida manatees. He briefly introduces the main threat—algae blooms—and details the situation unfolding in the Indian River Lagoon. Pakkala advocates for the Florida manatee to be reclassified as "endangered" under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
Blog By: Christian T. Deeter
In his blog, 3L Staffer Christian Deeter argues that the Fifth Circuit should hold the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) constitutional because it does not violate the non-delegation and anti-commandeering doctrines. The amended version of HISA adequately reformed the Authority, making it sufficiently subordinate to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Deeter supports his opinion with an analysis of the Fifth and Sixth Circuit’s recent rulings.
Blog By: Jose Herrera
In this blog, 3L Staffer Jose Herrera examines the extensive consequences of the booming avocado industry in Michoacán, Mexico. Herrera highlights environmental and social concerns that result from deforestation and corruption and advocates for regulatory reforms to address environmental degradation and safeguard community well-being.
The United States is one of the largest contributors to plastic pollution in the world. 2L staffer Lauren Willard discusses the Reducing Waste in National Park Act and the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act and believes they are both strong solutions to fixing the plastic pollution problems in our country. Willard strongly advocates that Americans should seriously consider these bills before it is too late.
The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, if passed, will make strides in society by removing marijuana from the list of scheduled substances under the Controlled Substances Act and decriminalizing possession, distribution, and manufacture of cannabis. However, 2L staffer, Hannah Thompson, notes that there is no discussion of the Dormant Commerce Clause (DCC) in the bill. Thompson strongly argues that Congress should suspend the DCC in the MORE Act to help achieve the end goal of combating disproportionate impacts from drug enforcement from the use of marijuana.
The FDA regulates drugs, cosmetics, foods, and dietary supplements, but not THC or CBD. 2L Staffer, Kenneth McQueen, Jr., strongly argues that with the rise of more states legalizing marijuana, it is time for the FDA to start regulating THC and CBD for the sake of public health. McQueen points out the issues that could occur with the regulation of CBD and THC but believes there are ways the FDA can limit the issues while still protecting public health.
NFTs are becoming extremely popular even with racehorses and are creating a stir in the copyright world. In light of this, 2L staffer Zack Stacy looks at the process for a racehorse to have their name registered through the process outlined in The Jockey Club and how it compares to getting a name registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Stacy urges individuals to consider racehorses as brands and offers solutions to assist in the trademark of horses in the new NFT world.
Hide prices have been steadily decreasing over the past couple of years, directly impacting the meat-producing industry. 2L Staffer Ryan Stuart looks at the factors contributing to the current market trend, especially regarding the China leather production industry and the future of the hide and leather industry, while urging individuals to start buying leather goods again to help the hide industry.
In recent years it has become unclear what wetlands are protected. Senior Staffer Seth Stroud discusses the upcoming Supreme Court case, Sackett v. EPA, which will analyze this issue. The plaintiffs believe the Court should use Justice Scalia’s test (continuous surface connection) while opposing counsel favors Justice Kennedy’s test (significant nexus) for determining what wetlands will be protected. While Stroud analyzes this issue, he expresses the concern of many that the Supreme might be undercutting EPA’s rule-making efforts.
Covid-19 has had a significant impact on individuals and businesses. 2L staffer Emily Riggs discusses the new work lifestyle where people are working remotely and may not return to an office building for work, which has caused office buildings to now be vacant. Riggs strongly advocates that these buildings can help decrease the homeless population and offers an idea for how the states and the federal government can make this possible.
In recent years, the Kentucky Department of Forestry has been underfunded. 2L staffer Braydan Roark talks about how this has affected staffing issues and essential operations in the KDF. Roark advocates for a timber yield tax and lays out how it should function while putting at ease those who might have concerns about it.
