POLITICS 07/02/2018 05:34 pm ET They insist they're not urging members to opt out of unions ― they're just showing them how to do it. By Dave Jamieson The Supreme Court’s recent landmark ruling on union fees was not even a day old when public school teachers in Rochester, New York, received a related email through their work accounts. The subject line read: “New York Union Members Now Have a Choice in Paying Dues.” The message came from the Mackinac Center, a Michigan-based conservative group that has pushed “right to work” and other anti-union legislation over the years. It steered recipients to an online opt-out form they could use to leave their union, which is an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers. The email, which AFT shared with HuffPost, is a sign of what faces organized labor as conservative groups around the country work to dry up the revenue streams for public sector unions. Last week, the Supreme … [Read more...] about After Supreme Court Ruling, Conservative Groups Encourage Workers To Ditch Unions
Pennsylvania supreme court rules
Supreme Court ruling doesn’t mean sports betting will come to Florida quickly — or at all
The U.S Supreme Court ruling Monday that struck down a federal law banning sports gambling in most states opened the door for lawmakers in Florida and other states to legalize sports betting.While some states are expected to move quickly, whether state lawmakers will try to legalize it in Florida is an open question. Those in the industry are hopeful.“I think the ruling is a landmark. I think eventually people will be able to do what they’ve been doing illegally for so long now – and do it legally – bet on sports,” said Tim Ritvo, COO of the Stronach Group, which operates Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach and other major race tracks around the country.The court ruled the federal Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 unconstitutionally interfered with New Jersey’s ability to modify its laws related to sports gambling. Currently, Nevada is the only state where sports gambling is legal.The ruling also raises several issues beyond … [Read more...] about Supreme Court ruling doesn’t mean sports betting will come to Florida quickly — or at all
Tribes encouraged by Supreme Court ruling on sports betting but need state to set up legal framework
A U.S. Supreme Court decision issued Monday improves the odds of legal sports betting at Oklahoma's tribal casinos some day.But it isn't likely to happen any time soon — if it ever happens at all.That's because the state of Oklahoma would have to allow sports betting, and the Legislature has not shown much interest in doing that. Two attempts in the House of Representatives last year to pass enabling legislation in anticipation of the Supreme Court ruling came to naught, meaning it will likely be next year at the earliest before action is taken.Monday's ruling on a New Jersey case, Christie v. NCAA, found unconstitutional provisions of a 1992 federal law banning sports betting in all states except Nevada, Delaware, Montana and Oregon, all of which allowed forms of sports betting prior to the law's enactment.Pat Crofts, chief executive officer for Muscogee Creek Nation Casinos, said: "Obviously, we're encouraged, but it's very early right now. We think this will pave the way for … [Read more...] about Tribes encouraged by Supreme Court ruling on sports betting but need state to set up legal framework
Pennsylvania Supreme Court unveils new congressional map
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Monday unveiled a new congressional district map to be used in the upcoming elections this year.The court imposed the new map after ruling the 18 current districts were gerrymandered in violation of the state constitution to give Republicans an unfair advantage.RELATED: The new maps: A visual guide to your congressional districtThe new map is expected to improve Democratic prospects for a number of seats and lift the party's chances to take control in the U.S. House, the Associated Press reported. Republicans are expected to appeal the ruling, having argued the Supreme Court usurped power given to the state legislature. Monday had marked the court’s own deadline to make public the new district boundaries, which will be used for the May 15 primary.The new map splits 13 counties. Four are split into three districts and nine are split into two."It is composed of congressional districts which follow the traditional redistricting criteria of … [Read more...] about Pennsylvania Supreme Court unveils new congressional map
Gov. Wolf proposes revised congressional redistricting map to Pennsylvania Supreme Court
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf proposed an alternative version of a congressional district map to replace the gerrymandered political boundaries struck down last month by the state Supreme Court. The new proposal came late Thursday night after the Democratic governor vetoed a legislative submission from Republican leaders in the Senate.“From the outset, I have made clear I wanted a map that was fair and removed the partisanship that Pennsylvanians have been forced to live under since the 2012 elections,” Wolf said. “This map takes features from Republican and Democratic submissions, while still meeting the court’s orders and opinion, to provide Pennsylvanians with a fair map." In its January decision, the Democrat-controlled court determined that the district map enacted by Republicans in 2011 "clearly, plainly ad palpably" violates the state constitution by favoring the GOP. The court's ruling required that any revised map must consist of contiguous districts that … [Read more...] about Gov. Wolf proposes revised congressional redistricting map to Pennsylvania Supreme Court