News & Commentary

Mayo

Mayor Villaraigosa today thanked the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education for their approval of a settlement agreement in Reed v. State of California, a class action suit that claimed the plaintiffs’ constitutional rights to a quality education was being violated by the disproportionate impact of teacher layoff at their schools. The agreement marks a departure from the LAUSD’s long-standing “last hired, first fired” policy that determines layoffs solely by seniority.

LOS ANGELES -- On Oct. 5, the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California sent a letter to Sheriff Bob Brooks of Ventura County condemning his practice of forbidding inmates from sending non-legal mail by letter.

California's death penalty has always been a bit of a head-scratcher, but the news over the last two weeks may have the record for furrowed brows and rolled eyes. The legal drama that has unfolded as the state tries to execute Albert Brown has shocked legal experts, but just confused everyone else.

We have no budget, no money for child care centers and college students, and no hope that these problems will be solved anytime soon. But take heart California, what we do have is a state-of-the-art death chamber. And soon we will have the best and brightest death row housing facility. Can anyone in Sacramento say '''priorities'?

SAN FRANCISCO - For almost five years, the State of California has engaged in a protracted legal battle over its method of execution: lethal injection. During this time period, executions in California have been on hold. Now, the state is rushing to carry out an execution next week, even though none of the legal questions have been answered.

The 9th Circuit's decision to rehear our case addressing the religious liberty of a Muslim woman forced by Orange County Sheriff's Department officials to remove her headscarf in front of strangers is a most welcome development.

After 42+ years together and living in the deep south, my partner and I can finally say we are married.