US Daily Brief - September 30, 2026

1. Judge Halts New York’s Tax Plan on Second Homes

A judge has ordered New York to scrap its new tax plan on second homes. The plan was meant to tax owners of vacation houses more, but the judge said it was not done properly. Now, New York must start over and create a new plan that follows the rules. This decision is important because the tax could affect many people who own homes in the state. The government wanted to raise money to help pay for services, but the court found problems with how the tax was designed. The state will likely work on a new plan that will be fairer and legal. Many homeowners and officials are waiting to see what comes next. This case shows how courts can influence government policies.

영어 표현 학습

• scrap — 폐기하다, 취소하다
  The company decided to scrap its old project.
• start over — 다시 시작하다
  After the mistake, we had to start over with the design.
• follow the rules — 규칙을 따르다
  All employees must follow the rules at work.
• raise money — 자금을 모으다
  The charity event helped raise money for the hospital.
• come next — 다음에 일어나다
  We don’t know what will come next in the story.

Source: The New York Times

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2. California Governor Fights Against Harsh Immigration Tactics

Governor Newsom of California signed new bills to push back on tough immigration tactics used by the Trump administration. These tactics were called “Orwellian,” meaning they were seen as unfair and strict. The new laws aim to protect immigrant communities by limiting how much immigration officers can act inside the state. This is important because many people feel worried about their safety and rights. California wants to be a safe place for all people, no matter where they come from. The governor’s actions may cause more states to follow and fight for immigrants’ rights. This story shows how local governments can respond to federal policies.

영어 표현 학습

• push back on — 반대하다, 저항하다
  The workers pushed back on the new rules.
• Orwellian — 조지 오웰식의, 감시와 통제가 심한
  The new law was called Orwellian by many critics.
• protect immigrant communities — 이민자 공동체를 보호하다
  The city passed a law to protect immigrant communities.
• limit how much — ~하는 정도를 제한하다
  The school will limit how much homework students get.
• follow and fight for — 따라 하며 싸우다
  Other countries may follow and fight for similar rights.

Source: California State Portal | CA.gov

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3. US Job Openings Fall but Labor Market Stays Strong

In August, the number of US job openings fell to 7.1 million, which is lower than before. However, experts say the labor market is still sturdy and healthy. This means many people can still find jobs even if there are fewer openings. Layoffs remain low, so companies are not firing many workers. The job market is important because it shows how the economy is doing. Some say hiring is slower, but overall, the situation is stable. Workers and employers are watching closely to see if things will improve or get worse. This news helps people understand the current job situation in America.

영어 표현 학습

• job openings — 구인, 일자리 공석
  There are many job openings in the city.
• sturdy — 튼튼한, 견고한
  The economy is sturdy despite some problems.
• layoffs — 해고
  The company announced 100 layoffs last month.
• hiring is slower — 채용이 더디다
  This year, hiring is slower than last year.
• watch closely — 주의 깊게 지켜보다
  Investors watch closely the stock market.

Source: ABC News

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4. Silicon Valley Faces Challenges with New H-1B Fee Proposal

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed to increase the H-1B visa fee to $103,265, a huge rise from before. This visa is very important for tech companies to hire top talent from other countries. Silicon Valley leaders are worried and asking, “How will we hire top talent if the fees get so high?” The new fee could make it harder and more expensive for companies to bring skilled workers. This may affect innovation and growth in the U.S. tech industry. Many are waiting to see if the government will change this plan after the public talks. This shows the struggle between immigration policy and business needs.

영어 표현 학습

• increase — 증가시키다
  The company will increase workers’ salaries next year.
• hire top talent — 최고의 인재를 채용하다
  We want to hire top talent to improve our team.
• how will we — 우리가 어떻게 ~할 수 있을까?
  How will we finish this project on time?
• bring skilled workers — 숙련된 노동자를 데려오다
  The firm plans to bring skilled workers from abroad.
• public talks — 공개 토론
  The city held public talks about the new law.

Source: The Times of India

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Today's Vocabulary Recap