SCOTUScast 4-9-09 featuring Timothy Sandefur

On Tuesday, February 24, the Supreme Court announced its decision in Ysursa v. Pocatello Education Association. In this case, the Supreme Court considered whether the First Amendment prohibits a state legislature from removing its political subdivisions’ authority to make payroll deductions for political purposes. In a 6-3 decision delivered by Chief Justice Roberts, the Court held that Idaho’s ban on payroll deductions for political activities does not violate the First Amendment rights of employee unions and is equally valid at both the state and local levels, thus reversing the Ninth Circuit decision that held the ban unconstitutional at the local level. Pacific Legal Foundation Staff Attorney Timothy Sandefur discusses the decision. [Full disclosure: the Pacific Legal Foundation filed a brief in this case as amicus curiae in support of neither party.]

 

 

 

Oral Argument - November 3, 2008:
http://www.supremecourtus.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/07-869.pdf

 

Decision - February 24, 2009:
http://www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/08pdf/07-869.pdf

 

 

 

 

 

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