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Freelance journalists sue over California’s new contracting law

American Society of Journalists and Authors v. Becerra

In an effort to regulate the employment status of independent contractors, California passed a law forcing companies in the state to reclassify most freelancers as employees. Under AB 5, freelance journalists and photographers must cap their submissions at 35 per year, per publisher. Anything greater, and they become employees, losing their profess ...

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January 16, 2020

Hollister Ranch owners sue to challenge unconstitutional provisions of new coastal access law

Hollister Ranch, California; January 16, 2020: Hollister Ranch owners filed a federal lawsuit today, challenging unconstitutional provisions of a new law that gives state officials the right to search private coastal property without permission or warrant, punishes owners who speak or act to protect constitutional rights, and ultimately threatens ...

January 15, 2020

Musician sues over Houston’s ban on busking

Houston; January 15, 2020: A Houston musician filed a federal lawsuit against the city today, arguing that an ordinance prohibiting musicians from busking — that is, playing in public for tips — is unconstitutional. Tony Barilla is an accomplished accordionist. He plays in a three-piece accordion cover band and has written and� ...

December 17, 2019

Ranchers move to intervene in Endangered Species Act fight

December 17, 2019: Today, ranchers from Kansas and Washington filed a motion to intervene in a legal fight over recent changes to endangered species policies. In August, the Department of Interior finalized changes to the way that it applies the Endangered Species Act by restoring a two-tier system for protecting species, which improves protecti ...

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January 13, 2020

The Hill: EPA appeals board is unconstitutional without reform

The idea that high government officials must be accountable to the people should be uncontroversial. Democratic accountability is a cardinal principle in a constitutional republic. Requiring government actors to be answerable to the people protects the public from arbitrary and tyrannical governance. In practice, this means significant government d ...

January 07, 2020

The Times of Northwest Indiana: Indiana Supreme Court’s decision on Lake Michigan beach access is unconstitutional. Here’s why.

Randy and Kimberley Pavlock built their small family home along the Lake Michigan shoreline in Porter, Indiana, with their own hands. The Pavlocks have owned the property for five generations, and love being "beach people." Their home and private beach on Lake Michigan are the center of their family life, as they often hold fish ...

December 23, 2019

The Hill: California law unjustly and unconstitutionally restricts freelance journalists

Freelancing is a centuries-old practice. But with a controversial state law set to take effect Jan. 1, 2020, freelance journalism soon may become a thing of the past in California. Assembly Bill No. 5 (AB5) was enacted in 2019 to create a new three-part test under California law for determining whether someone is an independent ...