Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Posts for March 25, 2015
These are the posts that are accumulated in our newsletter which goes out every 4-6 days. The posts are organized by the major units in our Con Law (5th ed.) textbook

I. Introduction to Law, the Constitution, and the Supreme Court [See TOPICS 1-10 in the 5th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

How Biased Towards Libertarianism is the US Constitution? [Justia, 3/25/15]: Professor Dorf argues that modern constitutionalism supports economic libertarianism, due not only to judicial decisions but also the very structure of the Constitution.

Voices: The high court reigns supreme [USA Today, 3/25/15]: For three years, through the re-election of a president and a Republican takeover of Congress, neither the executive nor legislative branch of government has held a candle to the increased power of the Supreme Court.

II. Defining the Political System: Federalism and Checks and Balances [See TOPICS 11-15 in the 5th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

The American Presidency [TOPIC 15]

DOJ environment chief unbowed as Obama's agenda faces heavy fire [Greenwire / Reuters, 3/24/15]: The Department of Justice's environmental division is under siege. Almost every U.S. EPA regulation faces a court challenge, either by industry groups claiming it's too stringent or by environmentalists who say it doesn't go far enough.

III. The Political System: Voting and Campaigns [See TOPICS 16-20 in the 5th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

Court Revives Suit Over Republican-Drawn Alabama Voting Map [Bloomberg News / SCOTUS blog, 3/25/15]: The nation's highest court gives a partial victory to Democrats and black lawmakers.

Legislation and the Legislative Process (TOPIC 20)


Abortion politics threaten bipartisan bills in Congress [USA Today, 3/25/15]: Abortion politics are threatening to derail bipartisan agreements to fight human trafficking and prevent a dramatic drop in Medicare payments for doctors as the fight over the polarizing issue moves to new fronts.

Union-backed bill would mandate up to 10 weeks of family leave, at higher pay [Sac Businesses Journ., 3/24/15]: Workers would receive higher wages and up to 10 weeks off when they leave work to care for sick family members or to bond with a newborn, under a California bill that has backing from organized labor. 

IV. Criminal Law and Procedure (4th, 5th, 6th, and 8th amendments) [See TOPICS 21-28 in the 5th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that are relevant to this unit:


The Worst State for Kids Up Against the Law [The Marshall Project, 3/24/15]: It’s Florida, hands down.

V. 1st Amendment (Speech, Religion, Press and Assembly) [See TOPICS 29-33 in the 5th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

Flag waiving [The Economist, 3/25/15]: Free speech and licence plates.

Chicago-based Lawyer Reflects on Historic U.S. Supreme Court Free Speech Win [Newseum, 3/23/15]: Most lawyers never get the chance to argue a case before the United States Supreme Court.  But at age 28, Chicago-based lawyer Harvey J. Barnett argued and won a significant First Amendment case before the court.

VI. 14th Amendment, Discrimination, Privacy, Working, Citizenship & Immigration [See TOPICS 34-41 in the 5th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

Pregnant Workers Backed by U.S. Supreme Court in UPS Case [Bloomberg news, 3/25/15]: The justices, voting 6-3, sent the case back for a possible trial, which would center on UPS’s reasons for refusing to accommodate Peggy Young’s needs while giving temporary assignments to workers recovering from on-the-job injuries. The case is Young v. U.S.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-03-25/pregnant-worker-rights-backed-by-u-s-high-court-in-ups-case

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