We’ve seen quite a few legislative changes over the last ten years and these have covered all aspects of American life including healthcare & our right to privacy. Naturally, these changes have been quite divisive. So, let’s look at 11 of the most controversial laws of the last decade. You can’t deny these laws riled people up.
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The End of the ACA’s Individual Mandate Penalty (2017)
In the past, everyone had to have health insurance or pay a fine. But in 2017 that changed after the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) Individual Mandate Penalty ended as part of a bigger tax bill. Some people were thrilled because they believed it was about time the government stopped telling them what to do—now, insurance coverage was a choice. However, other people said it could mess with healthcare prices since it would raise premiums for healthy individuals and force them to look for alternative insurance methods.
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (2017)
But that wasn’t the only change to our taxes in 2017—the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act also reduced taxes for many people & businesses. The idea was to improve the economy but not everyone was on board. Some people thought it would help their finances while others worried it would just make the rich richer. Let’s not forget the effect on the national debt.
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Alabama’s Abortion Law (2019)
After Roe v Wade was repealed, Alabama passed one of the strictest abortion laws around. The law banned abortions at any stage with very few exceptions. These include if giving birth would seriously risk the mother’s life or if the fetus will not survive. As you might expect, people on both sides of the abortion debate have been fired up ever since.
Texas’s Heartbeat Law (2021)
Similarly, in 2021, Texas passed a law that lets family members & friends sue anyone who had an abortion after six weeks. They can also sue the doctors who perform the abortion. Under this law, they can claim a minimum of $10,000 in damages as well as court fees. Naturally, the law is part of many controversial abortion legislative changes over the last decade.
California’s Privacy Law (2018)
In 2018, California decided that people should know what personal information companies collect on them and even have the right to ask them to delete it. This was a big win for people concerned about their privacy but it also caused some problems for businesses. They worried it would make innovation and growth harder.
Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” Law (2022)
In 2022, Florida passed the “Don’t Say Gay” law that banned discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in early education. It was as divisive as it sounds. Supporters of the law argue that it protects kids from inappropriate content. However, opponents claim it unfairly discriminates against LGBTQ+ rights & free speech.
New York Cancels Cash Bail (2019)
New York removed the need for cash bail for most non-violent crimes in 2019. Why? Because the government wanted to make things fairer—but the reform didn’t go as well as it had hoped. Critics said it would let dangerous people back on the streets too easily and without proper punishment.
Georgia Tightens Voting Rules (2021)
Like many other states, Georgia tightened voting regulations with new ID requirements & limits on mail-in voting. Supporters believe the law keeps elections safe by making sure only eligible people can vote. Yet not everyone agreed—opponents argued the law makes it harder for some people to vote. In fact, they say it targets minorities in particular, as well as immigrants who aren’t able to get identification.
Oregon’s Drug Decriminalization (2020)
Oregon passed a law in 2020 that made international headlines. The law decriminalized the possession of small amounts of drugs, including heroin, methamphetamine & LSD. Why did they do this? Essentially, to make drug addiction more of a mental health issue than a criminal one. However, critics claim it encourages drug use instead.
Virginia’s Clean Economy Act (2020)
In 2020, Virginia passed the Clean Economy Act which committed the state to 100% renewable energy by 2045 or 2050, including mandates for solar & wind energy development. But as with any major law, it wasn’t free from controversy. Environmentalists celebrated the law—yet some businesses opposed it. They claim it’ll increase energy costs beyond what they can manage.
Illinois’ Trust Act (2017)
Illinois’ Trust Act was signed into law in 2017, aiming to protect the rights of immigrants within the state. For example, it stopped local law enforcement from detaining individuals solely based on their immigration status without a warrant. However, it caused a lot of controversy, with opponents arguing it could stop the government from enforcing federal immigration laws.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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