Mandate

Philadelphia City Workers Return to Office Full-Time as Judge Denies Union’s Plea Against Mayor’s Mandate

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Philadelphia, PA – Thousands of Philadelphia’s municipal workers have resumed full-time, in-person work following a legal ruling. The court decision denied a union’s motion to halt a mandate by Mayor Cherelle Parker, which ordered the shift back to office settings. The mandate had been challenged by District Council 47 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which represents around 6,000 administrative and supervisory staff. The union had argued that Mayor Parker’s order violated existing contracts and could potentially harm city employees. In addition to the lawsuit, the union has lodged an unfair-practices … Read more

Louisiana Parents Seek Court Halt on School Ten Commandments Mandate Before New Academic Year

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BATON ROUGE, La. — A controversial new law in Louisiana mandating the posting of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms has sparked a legal battle, with a group of parents seeking to halt its implementation. These parents, whose children attend various public schools across the state and represent diverse religious backgrounds, have filed a request for a preliminary injunction in a federal court. The law, signed by Republican Gov. Jeff Landry last month, requires that a version of the Ten Commandments be displayed in every public school classroom. The plaintiffs, asserting that the mandate … Read more

Jury Sides with Former Employee over Religious Exemption to Vaccine Mandate, Awards Over $600,000 in Damages

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Chattanooga, Tennessee — A Chattanooga-based health insurance company, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, has been ordered to pay $687,000 to a former employee who was dismissed for not complying with the company’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement. A federal jury concluded after a three-day trial that the company failed to reasonably accommodate Tanja Benton’s religious beliefs. Benton, a biostatistical research scientist, predominantly worked from home and maintained her work responsibilities did not necessitate physical interaction, which she argued made her physical vaccination unnecessary. She held the position for over six years before her termination in November 2021. Benton’s … Read more

Portsmouth’s Housing Crisis: Dillon’s Law Hampers Efforts to Mandate Affordable Housing in New Developments

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Portsmouth, New Hampshire is grappling with a pressing housing crisis driven by various factors, including population growth, limited land availability, and escalating construction costs. However, the city faces a significant roadblock in the form of Dillon’s Law, which restricts its authority to mandate affordable or workforce housing in new developments. Dillon’s Law, originating from an 1868 Iowa court case, imposes limitations on local governments’ powers, allowing them to take actions only explicitly permitted by state law. In terms of housing policy, this legal restriction hampers Portsmouth’s ability to implement measures that promote housing affordability and … Read more