Illinois Concealed Carry Debate Continues by Carl Wicklander

Approximately one month separates Illinois from its deadline to enact some form of concealed carry legislation and the passions on both sides are heating up.

We Should Stop Subsidizing Political Parties by Chad Peace

Nowhere in our political system is power more institutionalized than in the pocket books of the political players. But a little discussed, and even lesser questioned reality is that the source from which the parties draw much of their funds are not their own, but from the taxpayers they are elected to represent.

As Google Glass Nears Release, Legal Problems Arise by Beck Alleman

As Google Glass nears release, many are expressing concern over some of the legal issues this revolutionary device could bring. One of the most prominent -- and potentially most important for Google -- is the breach of privacy.

6 Arguments in Favor of the Commercial Use of Drones by Lucas Eaves

Despite the legitimate concerns over the use of drones, here are 6 arguments in favor of the commercial use of drones.

Campus Handgun Bill Passes Texas Senate, Likely to Pass House by Eric Robinson

On April 30, the Texas Senate passed SB 1907, a campus handgun bill that would allow university and college students to store handguns in their vehicles while on campus.

What You Missed

Mail-In Ballot Election Reform in Colorado Heads to Governor from The Colorado Statesman

The Democratic-controlled Senate passed House Bill 1303 by a party-line vote of 20-15, despite the stall tactic. Amendments were later approved by the House, which sent the bill to Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat, for his signature.

New York City Mayoral Candidate Loses Lawsuit Over Donation Limit from Ballot Access News

On May 1, George McDonald, a Republican candidate for Mayor of New York city, lost his lawsuit over whether the amount of money an individual may contribute to a Mayoral candidate is $41,000 or $4,950.

Judges Rule Against Libertarians in Ballot Access Case from Examiner

On May 1, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Michigan law barring a presidential candidate from running in the general election after losing in the primary for another political party is constitutional.

Security Alert: Notes From the Frontline of the War in Cyberspace from The Guardian

The battle for control of cyberspace is turning nasty, with young hackers, pirates and activists facing long prison sentences.

Drone Strikes Are Winning War in Yemen -- for Al-Qaeda from Bloomberg

“Drone strikes and the targeted killing program have made my passion and mission in support of America almost impossible in Yemen,” warned Farea al-Muslimi, a Yemeni journalist, to a Senate judiciary subcommittee on human rights last month.

Covering California

Former Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher joins the Democratic Party from Nathan Fletcher's Facebook

Nathan Fletcher, who left the GOP last year to run for Mayor of San Diego as an independent, announced on Saturday that he joined the Democratic Party.

Lawmakers Criticize Brown's Plan To Reduce Prison Population from California Healthline

California Democrats and Republicans are criticizing a plan filed last week by Gov. Jerry Brown (D) to address prison overcrowding.

Does Energy Policy Give Republicans A Road to Relevancy? from Fox&Hounds

There is issue that could bring California Republicans back in 2014 and it is called energy, specifically the extraction of oil and gas from the Monterey Shale.

Online Course Expansion Receives Backlash From San Jose Professors by Michael Higham

Professors at SJSU formally opposed online course expansion in an open letter. The letter and a response from the online provider has raised the discourse.

Proposed Bill Blocks Retroactive Taxes Being Imposed in California by Lucas Eaves

On Thursday, May 2, the state Senate Governance and Finance Committee approved SB 209 in a 6-1 vote. The bill would protect thousands of small businesses in California from paying 4 years of retroactive taxes.

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 The editor of the column is Dennis "DJ" Mikolay, an American political columnist, author, blogger, and third party activist from Long Branch, New Jersey. Mikolay is a co-founder of the Reform Party of New Jersey, an alternative political party dedicated to advancing fiscal responsibility. Check out his latest posts:Bitcoin Presents New Questions About Campaign Finance LawsGun Control: Bad News for Barbara BuonoAfter Years of Infighting, an Attempt to Unify the RightAre you a political writer who is more interested in issues than entertainment? Find out how you can join the IVN Network today.

Contributor of the Week

Eric is a prospective political science student of George Washington University, who aspires to be a political strategist and has an interest in writing.Eric is also an editor on the IVN column: The Austin Pundit.From Eric:National Republicans Pull Plug on Mark Sanford CampaignTexas Medicaid Bill Passes House Appropriation CommitteeBecome an IVN contributor today.