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State Attorneys General Map
NOW has reported frequently on the influence Attorney Generals are having beyond the borders of their own states. In a controversial reading of the state's statutory rape law, Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline has pushed to mandate reporting of any sexual activity of people under the age of 16 and subpoenaed medical records of abortion patients. A previous NOW story, "Air Wars," documented a new battle between the states and the federal government — this time over a California auto emissions law. California's Attorney General Bill Lockyer is now suing the federal government in dozens of cases alleging interference in, among other things, logging rights on California land and offshore oil leasing.
New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer has appeared on NOW several times, recounting his groundbreaking efforts to reform Wall Street. His ability to use the power of his office — attorneys general are the highest legal officials in each state — may be waning. A bill is now before Congress that would put more oversight of the Securities and Exchange Commission in federal hands, removing state attorneys general' power to bring suits in some financial cases. However, in some matters, attorney general is a position that is likely to grow in importance as the nation's Supreme Court, increasingly pro-states' rights, is expected to send a greater number of decisions back to the states for judgment. State attorneys general are also the front line in consumer protection. A visit to your state's Web site will help you access important information about fraud, identity theft and no-call programs. Many state sites have special areas to help protect younger citizens. Visit South Dakota's Child Abduction Amber Alert Site and Virginia's Safe Surfin' page dedicated teaching kids about online safety to learn more. In the role as guardians of the public interest, several attorneys general are responsible for the massive tobacco awards now propping up state coffers. And, just last year, New York's Attorney General Eliot Spitzer filed, and won, a landmark suit against several large Wall Street firms accused of corporate malfeasance.
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