Posts for June 3, 2015

These are the posts that are accumulated in our newsletter which goes out every 4-6 days during the school year. The posts are organized by the major units in our Con Law (5^th ed.) student textbook.

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

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

In big EPA win, court denies challenges to ozone designations [Greenwire, 6/2/15]: A federal appeals court today rejected a series of challenges from states, environmental groups and energy companies to U.S. EPA's determinations of which parts of the country meet its standard for ozone, a main component of smog.

http://www.eenews.net/stories/1060019515

6.4 Million Could Lose Obamacare Subsidies Under Supreme Court Ruling [Nat Journ, 6/2/15]: That's how many people are receiving financial help on the federal health exchange.

http://www.nationaljournal.com/health-care/6-4-million-could-lose-obamacare-subsidies-under-supreme-court-ruling-20150602

Tenth Circuit OKs Cap on School Taxes [CNS, 6/3/15]: Tracing a school finance case back to Brown vs. Board of Education, the 10th Circuit on Monday upheld a Kansas limit on school districts' taxing powers. Parents in a wealthy, high-performing school district in Johnson County challenged the state's limit on school districts' Local Option Budget.

http://www.courthousenews.com/2015/06/03/tenth-circuit-oks-cap-on-school-taxes.htm

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

Hillary Clinton's Poll Numbers Are Slipping [Nat Journ, 6/3/15]: The honeymoon is over for Hillary Clinton, according to two new polls. Her favorability numbers have tumbled since March and hit their lowest level since 2001.

http://www.nationaljournal.com/2016-elections/hillary-clinton-s-poll-numbers-are-slipping-20150602

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

Utah defends anti-polygamy law, saying it prevents abuse [AP, 6/2/15]: Utah state attorneys defending the state's anti-polygamy law argue it should stay on the books because it protects women and children from abuse.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SISTER_WIVES_POLYGAMY

California death penalty: state agrees to propose execution method [SJ Merc, 6/2/15]: California's death penalty system, dormant for nine years, might soon move slowly toward resuming executions.

http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_28236441/california-death-penalty-state-agrees-propose-execution-method

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

Let Student Preach, Judge Tells School [CNS / EdLawProfsBlog, 6/3/15]: A federal judge vacated a Washington high school student's suspension for handing out religious tracts, finding the school district's policy unconstitutional. 

http://www.courthousenews.com/2015/06/03/let-student-preach-judge-tells-school.htm

http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/education_law/2015/06/federal-district-court-overturns-school-policy-allowing-distribution-of-only-student-written-literat.html

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

How One School Uses Segregation to Help Students Talk About Race [EdLawProf Blog, 5/21/15]: For those who missed it, NY Magazine has a fascinating article on one elementary school's attempt to teach students how to navigate issues of race.

http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/education_law/2015/05/how-one-school-uses-segregation-to-help-students-talk-about-race.html

Read the article in the May 19 edition of NY Mag:

http://nymag.com/scienceofus/2015/05/can-fieldston-un-teach-racism.html

International Law, Citizenship and Immigration [TOPIC 40-42]

Your Socks Can No Longer Get You Deported [Slate, 6/2/15]: The Supreme Court's logical, humane decision.

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2015/06/mellouli_v_lynch_drug_paraphernalia_case_kansas_law_can_t_deport_legal_resident.html