This Day in Legal History: Vermont Abolishes Slavery for MenOn July 8, 1777, the Vermont Republic adopted a constitution that became the first in what would eventually become the United States to formally abolish slavery. At the time, Vermont was not yet a state—it was an independent republic formed after declaring independence from both New York and British colonial rule. The new constitution, influenced by Enlightenment principles and revolutionary ideals, declared that “no male person born in this country, or brought from over sea, ought to be held by law, to serve any person, as a servant, slave or apprentice” after the age of 21.This clause effectively outlawed slavery for adult men and set the groundwork for emancipation, although enforcement was inconsistent. Vermont’s action was revolutionary, especially considering that slavery remained deeply entrenched in both the southern and northern American colonies. While other Northern states like Pennsylvania and Massachusetts would later take steps toward abolition, Vermont’s constitutional ban was a bold and early legal rebuke of human bondage.Despite its symbolic significance, the legal impact was somewhat limited. Vermont did not join the Union until 1791, and historical records indicate that some slavery-like practices may have persisted unofficially. Nevertheless, the 1777 constitution established an early legal precedent for anti-slavery sentiment, showing how legal documents could be used to challenge institutional oppression. The language also hinted at the contradictions between American ideals of liberty and the reality of enslavement.Several major U.S. medical organizations filed a lawsuit on July 7 against Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the HHS, challenging recent changes to federal COVID-19 vaccine policy. The plaintiffs—including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Physicians—are seeking to overturn Kennedy’s directive removing COVID-19 vaccines from the CDC’s immunization schedules for children and pregnant women. They argue that the move poses an immediate threat to public health and undermines evidence-based medical policy.The complaint accuses Kennedy of dismantling the federally established vaccine framework that has historically saved millions of lives. Kennedy, a longtime vaccine skeptic, took control of HHS earlier this year and has taken steps to reshape vaccine policy. In addition to altering the immunization schedules, he also dismissed all 17 members of the CDC’s independent vaccine advisory committee and replaced them with seven individuals, some of whom have publicly opposed vaccination.Medical groups contend that these actions are not grounded in science and place vulnerable populations at significant risk of preventable diseases. HHS has not yet commented on the lawsuit.Medical groups sue HHS, Kennedy over vaccine policy | ReutersThe Biden administration had extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Hondurans and Nicaraguans in 2023, citing lingering effects of Hurricane Mitch, political instability, and economic hardship. But on July 7, the Department of Homeland Security under President Donald Trump announced it will end those protections effective September 6, 2025, impacting roughly 72,000 Hondurans and 4,000 Nicaraguans. TPS offers deportation relief and work permits to migrants from countries experiencing crisis, but Trump officials argue the program has been overused.Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said both countries have recovered significantly, referencing tourism, real estate, and energy developments. Critics, including Democrats and migrant advocates, say ending TPS will uproot people who have legally lived and worked in the U.S. for decades and may force them to return to dangerous or unstable conditions. The Honduran deputy foreign minister acknowledged the decision wasn't country-specific, but part of a broader rollback of TPS protections.Trump’s administration has already targeted TPS designations for migrants from Venezuela, Haiti, Afghanistan, and Cameroon. Legal battles continue over the policy’s rollback: while the Supreme Court recently upheld ending TPS for Venezuelans, a federal judge blocked the termination for Haitians just last week.Trump to end deportation protections for thousands of Hondurans and Nicaraguans | ReutersMy column for Bloomberg this week focuses on Maryland’s new 3% digital services tax, which took effect on July 1. I argue that while the state’s goal of modernizing its tax base is understandable, the execution creates more problems than it solves. Rather than taxing consumption—the standard, more efficient route—Maryland is taxing business inputs like data hosting and web services. This approach violates basic tax principles, potentially stifling investment and driving up operational costs for firms doing business in the state.The administrative burden is uniquely complex. ...
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