Wyoming county apologizes for wrongful fee, pays family back
In early March, Wyoming homeowners Shelby and Trey Scharp received an unusual letter from their county government.  The letter began, "Teton County made a mistake. We required you to pay an affordable housing mitigation fee that you did not need to pay. We are sorry… and regret every minute of distress this litigation caused you." That le ...
New York says helping your neighbors understand a court form is a crime
In New York, a debt collector can sue you for money you don't owe—and win, if you don't respond. These debt-collection lawsuits aren't uncommon; they make up roughly a quarter of all cases filed in New York state courts, and defendants fail to appear in up to 90% of them. They can result in financial ruin, even when claims lack merit. Reverend ...
Parents challenge Boston’s tier-based school admissions as unconstitutional
This week, PLF brought its challenge to a Boston public school's admissions system before the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. PLF senior attorney Chris Kieser delivered oral arguments, advocating on behalf of parents who argue the admissions process is discriminatory. The case, brought by the Boston Parent Coalition for Ac ...
A Hawaii dolphin therapist’s case could shape the Comey and James appeal
Six months ago, James Comey and Letitia James had likely never heard of PLF client Eliza Wille or her dolphin therapy practice in Kona, Hawaii. Now, as the government fights to revive their indictments before the Fourth Circuit, their fates are closely tied to the psychotherapist's legal battle to save her business. Pacific Legal Foundation file ...
Public school teacher asks Supreme Court to protect off-campus speech
Jeanne Hedgepeth spent 20 years teaching social studies at Palatine High School outside Chicago. During her tenure, she was actively involved in creating an inclusive environment at school; she sponsored the gay-straight alliance, participated in anti-bullying initiatives, and produced a school-wide video to promote diversity. Then, in June 2020 ...
American Heroes : Beating Illegal Tariffs with Eva St. Clair and Rebecca Melsky
An episode of American Heroes with Kathy Hoekstra you won't want to miss! After the blockbuster Supreme Court ruling that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not authorize the president to impose sweeping tariffs, Kathy sits down with Eva St. Clair and Rebecca Melsky, co-founders of Princess Awesome & Boy Wonder, two busines ...
California retiree prepares for second Supreme Court battle
In April 2024, California retiree George Sheetz celebrated a rare legal milestone: a unanimous ruling in his favor by the U.S. Supreme Court. George sued his county government years prior after it refused to issue him a building permit until he paid a fee to fund future county traffic projects. Initially, California courts dismissed his claim, r ...
Nebraska court greenlights challenge to one-size-fits-all disability care mandate
When a Nebraska agency tried to force every disability care provider in the state to use a single, costly training program, a company called Integrated Life Choices refused to let it go unchallenged. On Wednesday, their principled stand won validation from the District Court of Lancaster County, Nebraska, which denied the State's motion to dismissâ ...
Graffam, Ballentyne, BFP, and Pung : When auction prices fall short
Last week, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in PLF's case Pung v. Isabella County. At its core, the case is about home equity theft and the Fifth Amendment's promise of just compensation. The Constitution says that when governments take your home to satisfy a tax debt, they can take only what is owed to them and are required to return the ...