CIVIL RIGHTS POLICIES, ANALYSIS, AND RESOURCES
Latest Civil Rights Posts
Supreme Court Permits The Use Of State Taxpayer Funds For Religious Instruction
Brief #189 – Civil Rights
By Rodney A. Maggay
Petitioners David and Amy Carson and Troy and Angela Nelson are two couples that reside in Maine. Both families wanted to apply for Maine’s tuition assistance program in order to send their children to two separate “sectarian” schools. Both families were denied because Maine had previously determined that using state taxpayer funds to fund tuition for students at sectarian schools was a violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.
Should Religious Organizations Continue To Receive Federal Grants For Social Service Programs?
Brief #188 – Civil Rights
By Rodney A. Maggay
On August 31, 2021 H.R. 5129 was introduced in the House of Representatives. The bill was the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Modernization Act of 2022. This bill reauthorized a continued funding of the Community Services Block Grant Program which makes grants to States, territories, Indian tribes and other non – governmental entities for government programs to help reduce poverty, empower residents of low – income communities and encourage businesses and other organizations to expand opportunities for all individuals. Included in organizations that are eligible for these grants are faith – based organizations (FBO).
Gov. De Santis’ Right Wing War Continues With Signing of “Voter Fraud Office” Bill
Brief #187 – Civil Rights
By Rodney A. Maggay
On April 25, 2022 Governor Ron De Santis of Florida signed Senate Bill 524 which, among a number of things, creates a new Office of Election Crimes and Security as a new unit in Florida’s Department of State. The new office will be charged with overseeing elections but more specifically will review fraud allegations and conduct preliminary investigations into those allegations.
How Texas Senate Bill 8 Opened The Door To Vigilante Laws And Why These Laws Pose Such A Danger
Brief #186 – Civil Rights
By Rodney A. Maggay
In 2021 the State of Texas passed an anti – abortion law with a unique enforcement mechanism. Under the law, any private citizen could sue the person who tries to get an abortion, the doctor who performs the procedure or the clinic who provided the abortion procedure to a woman.
Congress Addresses Use Of Controversial Forced Arbitration Clauses In Two Bills
Brief #185 – Civil Rights
By Rodney A. Maggay
On March 17, 2022 the United States House of Representatives passed H.R. 963. The bill is known as the Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal (FAIR) Act. The bill passed by a 222 – 209 vote. Introduced by Congressman Hank Johnson (D-GA) the bill will ban the enforcement of forced arbitration clauses for consumers, employees and small businesses involved in legal disputes. The bill would apply to all kinds of workplace and consumer disputes that have become routine in consumer and worker contracts.
Supreme Court Gerrymandering Ruling Opens Door To Potential Redistricting Problem
Brief #184 – Civil Rights
By Rodney A. Maggay
On November 4, 2021 in North Carolina the state legislature adopted a congressional map which gave the Republican Party in the state a huge advantage – it seemed likely that Republicans would win ten of the fourteen available congressional seats in the state despite total votes cast in state elections being evenly split between Republicans and Democrats.
West Virginia School District Sued For Forcing Students To Attend Religious Assembly During School Hours
Brief #183 – Civil Rights
By Rod Maggay
On February 2, 2022 two homeroom classrooms at Huntington High School in the Cabell County School District in southwestern West Virginia were brought to a school assembly. The assembly was hosted by Nik Walker of Nik Walker Ministries. Nik Walker is an evangelical preacher and his group had been hosting revival events in the area with the purpose of exposing persons to Jesus Christ and Christianity.
How Race Has Emerged in Recent Redistricting Cases Months Before the 2022 Midterms
Brief #182 – Civil Rights
By Rodney A. Maggay
For the first few months of 2022 reports emerged on the status of redistricting efforts in a number of states. Some of those battles have not been definitively resolved with one case even reaching the U.S. Supreme Court.
Democrats and Republicans Stake Out Positions In Upcoming Supreme Court Confirmation Fight;
Brief #181 – Civil Rights
By Rodney A. Maggay
In February 2016, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia passed away. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell later issued a statement stating that there would be no hearing or vote on a nominee submitted by President Barack Obama and that the choice should be left to the next President after the upcoming 2016 presidential election.