Economic Justice

Judge Upholds Minimum Fines for Indigent Accused, Dismissing Poverty Concerns

By Miyah VerdeJuly 8, 20260 comments

Judge Cara Sandberg upheld fines against an indigent defendant in a misdemeanor reckless driving case, ruling the penalties were not excessive despite the accused’s financial circumstances. The court found the $150 restitution fine and $145 base penalty fine were imposed at statutory minimums, though the defense argued the accused’s poverty prevented payment. Sandberg affirmed that incarceration for non-payment was prohibited, and counsel considered potential waivers or credit for time served.

Your Life Is Expensive By Design

By Matt StoneMay 11, 20260 comments

Federal spending patterns in the United States consistently prioritize substantial military appropriations and corporate tax incentives, a policy framework that has demonstrably exacerbated financial strain for the average citizen. This allocation strategy, exemplified by measures such as the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act and the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, contributes to widespread difficulties in affording critical necessities including healthcare, housing, higher education, and childcare.

‘All You Had to Do Was Pay Us Enough to Live’

By Matt StoneApril 11, 20262 comments

Workers have been demanding fair wages and basic dignity for decades, and when employers refused to listen, the alternative to negotiation became violence, as seen in the Haymarket, Homestead, and Ludlow massacres, as well as the recent CEO assassination and warehouse burning.

The Billionaire Cost

By Matt StoneApril 8, 20264 comments

Billionaires are a cost to society, as they extract from the public and privatize profits while socializing costs, and then have the audacity to put their name on buildings and ask for gratitude.

250 Million

By Matt StoneMarch 12, 20260 comments

In November 2020, 250 million Indian workers went on strike to protest farm laws and labor codes, proving that the power is in the hands of those who do the work and that a general strike can be a powerful tool for workers to fight for their rights.

The Joy of Missing Out

By Matt StoneFebruary 12, 202612 comments

By refusing to participate in the consumerist system, people can find liberation and freedom from the trap of manufactured dissatisfaction, and can instead focus on the joy of having enough.

Jefferson County’s Fines and Fees System Ineffective, Report Finds

By Angelina TunNovember 28, 20250 comments

A new report on Jefferson County’s fines and fees system argues that U.S. courts’ reliance on monetary sanctions is ineffective at generating revenue and disproportionately harmful to Black and low-income residents, prompting action from Jefferson County officials and the creation of a statewide task force to review fines and fees policies.