Settlement reasonable amid political pressure
Maybe there’s not a major Supreme Court decision lurking in every case that’s in the headlines. That’s our takeaway from the court’s order to litigants in Zubick vs. Burwell, a case involving nonprofits seeking an exemption from the Affordable Care Act’s mandate to provide coverage for contraception. Among those seeking relief was Thomas Aquinas College Read More →
Supreme Court clears way for religious organization workers to get free birth control
The U.S. Supreme Court announced May 16 that it would not rule on a case regarding religious organization workers’ access to free birth control. It is looking to lower courts to explore a compromise. The Zubik v. Burwell case discusses whether freedom is infringed by an Obama administration rule regarding contraceptive coverage under the Affordable Care Read More →
Scalia’s death will impact cases of regional concern
The untimely death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia over President’s Day weekend will likely alter the trajectory of any number of cases before the court. Two of them are particularly relevant to the Tri-Counties. In Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association, the justices appeared to be closely divided on the question of whether to uphold Read More →
California needs reforms to create stable future
Now that California is back, maybe it’s time to think big. That’s the theme of a talk that economist Chris Thornberg has been giving up and down the coast. The founding partner of Beacon Economics gave the latest version of his remarks at the Central Coast Economic Forecast in San Luis Obispo on Nov. 6. Read More →
Op/ed: The leadership of Pope Francis
By R. Scott Turicchi Much has been made about the style of Pope Francis — specifically that he doesn’t act like a pope. So, what in fact is leadership? In his book, “An Integrative Theory of Leadership,” Martin Chemers defines leadership as “a process of social influence in which one person is able to enlist Read More →