In Houston Community College System v. Wilson, the U.S. Supreme Court held that an elected trustee who was publicly censured by his board did not have a First Amendment claim. In reaching its decision, the Court explained that the purely verbal censure was itself a form of free speech by
The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear Doe v. Boyertown Area School District. The Court’s refusal to grant certiorari means that the Third Circuit’s decision allowing a Pennsylvania school district to adopt a transgender-friendly bathroom policy will remain in place. Challenge to Transgender Bathroom Policy Prior to the 2016–17 school
In The American Legion v. American Humanist Association, 588 U. S. ____ (2019), the U.S. Supreme Court held that the Bladensburg Cross does not run afoul of the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause. While the Court’s plurality decision does not establish a bright-line test, it does provide guidance for local governments faced with questions
The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard oral arguments in Timbs v. Indiana, regardingwhether the Excessive Fines Clause of the Eighth Amendment applies against the states. That clause remains one of the few provisions of the Bill of Rights that has not yet been ruled applicable to the states through the doctrine of
The Supreme Court of New Jersey recently held oral arguments in two cases regarding whether the New Jersey Constitution bans government agencies from giving grants to local churches. The cases are Freedom from Religion Foundation v. Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders and American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey v.
In Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia, Inc. v. Carol S. Comer, Director, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the State of Missouri violated the U.S. Constitution when it denied a playground resurfacing grant to the Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia based solely on its status
In Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously held that public schools are responsible for providing students with disabilities education programs that are “more than de minimis.” The Court’s decision significantly expands the obligations of New Jersey public schools under the Individuals with Disabilities Education
Congress is currently considering legislation that would dramatically alter administrative law by eliminating so-called “Chevron deference.” The House of Representatives passed the Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2016 last year, and it is currently pending before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Chevron Deference Under the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in
