Amendment

Lawsuit Challenges Governor Jeff Landry’s Tax Amendment, Claiming Misleading Ballot Language and Constitutional Violations

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NEW ORLEANS — A legal challenge claims the wording used to present Governor Jeff Landry’s tax amendment proposal on the upcoming March ballot is unconstitutional. The lawsuit alleges the summary of the amendment is misleading, without fully disclosing its implications, which could affect voters’ understanding and decision-making. The tax amendment in question arose from a two-week special legislative session in October, which led to sweeping changes in Louisiana’s tax code. Over 100 pages were revised, all requiring public approval via constitutional amendment. The proposition on the ballot attempts to condense these extensive revisions into a … Read more

Hawaii’s Gun Purchase Age Restriction Upheld by Federal Court Amid Second Amendment Challenge

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Honolulu, Hawaii — A federal judge on Friday ruled in favor of maintaining Hawaii’s statute that prohibits individuals under the age of 21 from purchasing firearms, amidst challenges that the law infringes on Second Amendment rights. The decision follows a lawsuit spearheaded by a national pro-gun organization which argued that the age restriction was unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Jill Otake, in her ruling, expressed that the challengers did not convincingly demonstrate the likelihood of success on their constitutional claims or the public benefit of overturning the law. The case, represented by Deputy Solicitors General Ewan … Read more

Jury Clears Parish Officials in First Amendment Case, Activist Joy Banner Vows to Continue Fight for Transparency

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NEW ORLEANS — A federal jury in New Orleans has ruled in favor of St. John the Baptist Parish leaders in a First Amendment lawsuit brought by environmental justice activist Joy Banner. The verdict, delivered in the U.S. Eastern District of Louisiana, concluded that Parish President Jaclyn Hotard, Council President Michael Wright, and the parish itself did not infringe upon Banner’s freedom of speech or engage in retaliation against her. During the trial, jurors deliberated for over three hours before determining that the officials did not impede Banner’s speech nor violate Louisiana’s Open Meetings Law … Read more

LSU Law Professor Suspended After First Amendment Lecture, Claims Free Speech Concerns

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BATON ROUGE, La. — A law professor at Louisiana State University has been placed on paid administrative leave following a lecture on the First Amendment and its implications on interactions between the public and law enforcement. Ken Levy, the professor in question, had delivered this lecture right before the administrative action was taken. Jill Craft, Levy’s attorney, stated that the university has not provided specific reasons for the decision to place her client on leave. She expressed her client’s intention to assert his rights, highlighting the irony in the suppression of free speech in an … Read more