This file photo shows Cedar City Police Chief Darin Adams, Cedar City, Utah, April 2, 2021.
This file photo shows a Cedar City Police vehicle in Cedar City, Utah, Dec. 20, 2022.
This file photo shows a St. George police officer attending a gathering at Vernon Worthen Park in St. George, Utah, July 10, 2016.
According to the company website, more than 5,000 communities use Flock cameras and software in the United States, date and location not specified.
An automatic license plate reader is seen in Cedar City, Utah, May 4, 2025.
Utah Rep. Rex Shipp, date and location not specified.
In this file photo, Iron County Attorney Chad Dotson speaks during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Iron County Children's Justice Center's new facility in Enoch, Utah, Aug. 16, 2024.
The Cedar City Council discusses agenda items in this file photo, Cedar City, Utah, May 22, 2024.
In a city where safety and privacy are both fiercely valued, the recent rollout of automated license plate reader cameras by Cedar City Police has sparked a debate as old as the Constitution itself: How much liberty should be exchanged for security?
Cedar City Police recently implemented new cameras throughout the city that help solve crimes. However, their use is raising questions among the public about the future of privacy and the Constitution in an age of accelerating surveillance.
The city’s pilot rollout, with cameras in high-traffic areas, mirrors a national trend as police turn to technology to offset staffing shortages and speed up response times. The decision to test the readers was driven in part by rising crime, Police Chief Darin Adams said.
“We’ve seen drug offenses go up 34% from 2022 to 2024, vehicle thefts up 29%, and kidnapping cases — while still rare — are up by 60%,” he said. “That kind of shift puts real pressure on a small department.”
The license plate reader technology captures and logs plates from every passing vehicle, cross-referencing them against national databases to identify stolen vehicles, missing persons or suspects in ongoing investigations.
Officers describe the tool as a “force multiplier” — but many in the public say they see something else: The quiet expansion of a surveillance infrastructure with few external checks.
“It’s like having more eyes on the street,” Iron County Sheriff Ken Carpenter said. “And it doesn’t do anything more than what an alert officer could do — it just does it faster.”
Facebook backlash highlights public concern
When Cedar City Police announced the program on Facebook in March, nearly 500 comments poured in.
Many residents voiced concern that the technology marked a shift toward government overreach and “Big Brother”-style surveillance. Others questioned how long the data is retained, who has access to it and whether it could be misused.
“There is more concern about these cameras that we should all be thinking about," said Hayley Henderson Hahn in his Facebook post. "Will this feed into the mass surveillance system nationwide that Flock is known for? This needs some oversight or it will be open to abuse. Abuse is happening all over the country with mass surveillance and no oversight.”
Several commenters invoked Benjamin Franklin’s famous warning: “Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither.” The 18th-century quote has resurfaced often in modern surveillance debates, and for many online, it struck a nerve.
Others drew comparisons to George Orwell’s "1984," the dystopian novel where every move is monitored by an all-seeing state.
“I know this is legal, yet it feels awfully ‘1984’-ish,'” said Ethan Gale. “I’m all for solving crimes, yet our privacy is kaput. And yes, I realize I’m walking around with a supercomputer in my pocket that already tracks my every move — I’m just lamenting the loss of it all.”
Still, not everyone was critical. Some pointed out that modern life is already saturated with surveillance — from smartphones to social media — and argued that tools like license plate readers are justified if one has nothing to hide.
“As someone who has nothing to hide, this is great news,” Rin Shizune Shirono said. “It’s not like they’ll be tracking everybody with this system. It’s specifically going to be used to track criminals — so if you aren’t one, you shouldn’t be bothered by this.”
Despite the blowback, Adams said he welcomes the public scrutiny.
“People should ask questions,” he said. “That’s how we stay accountable.”
The department’s decision to test the readers wasn’t made lightly, Adams said. The selection process began over a year ago and involved multiple vendor presentations. Ultimately, Adams opted for Flock Safety, in part because it offered tighter privacy controls and did not include invasive features like facial recognition or live tracking.
“We had several vendors pitch to us,” Adams said. “But this one checked the boxes — it doesn’t track people, it doesn’t scan faces and we can control how data is stored and used.”
The system scans license plates from passing vehicles in public view — something any officer or citizen could do manually. What makes the readers different is their speed and automation. If a plate matches a law enforcement hotlist, the system instantly alerts police.
Unlike more invasive surveillance tools, such as real-time GPS tracking or geofencing, Cedar City’s system does not monitor people’s movements, flag minor violations or scan biometric data.
“It’s not tracking people or building profiles. … There’s no secret surveillance going on here," Adams said.
Adams said the department’s goal was twofold: Strengthen officers’ ability to solve crimes while protecting the rights of law-abiding citizens.
“We didn’t want anything that could be misused or cross a constitutional line,” he said.
Strict access, audit trails and local control
Cedar City Police Department built guardrails into the system from the start. Reader data is retained for 30 days — far shorter than the nine-month maximum allowed under Utah law — and only a handful of trained officers are authorized to access it. Each use of the system is automatically logged, with records showing who searched what, when and why.
“If someone queries the system, we know exactly who it was and what they searched,” Adams said. “Every keystroke is tracked.”
Internal audits are conducted regularly to further prevent abuse, and data used in criminal cases must meet evidentiary standards.
“You can’t just say, ‘There’s the car — let’s go arrest someone,’” Adams said. “The cameras are only one link in the chain. We still need probable cause.”
Perhaps most critically, Cedar City retains full ownership and control over all reader data, including the authority to deny access requests from outside agencies, even federal ones.
“We don’t just open this to everyone,” Adams said. “Agencies have to make a request, and we can deny it. That includes federal agencies. That was part of the deal when we chose this system.”
The policy reflects a deliberate effort to avoid the kinds of data-sharing controversies that have plagued Utah in the past.
In 2019, reports revealed that federal immigration authorities — including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the FBI — had used facial recognition tools to scan Utah’s driver's license photo database, which included thousands of undocumented immigrants who had legally obtained driving privilege cards.
Though state officials claimed such access was limited and case-specific, the revelation drew sharp criticism from civil liberties advocates, who argued residents were never properly informed that their data could be used in immigration enforcement. The incident prompted public outcry and calls for stricter data-sharing safeguards.
“We specifically avoided any system that auto-syncs with federal databases or lets third parties tap in without our approval,” Adams said. “We wanted a system where we decide who sees what. We’re not flipping a switch and letting someone in just because they ask.”
Comparing systems: Cedar City vs. St. George
While both Cedar City and St. George police departments use automated license plate readers, their policies on data retention and interagency sharing reflect various approaches.
While Cedar City requires agencies to submit individual requests for license plate data, St. George uses Motorola’s Vigilant platform, which is integrated into a national law enforcement network. There, data is retained for the full nine months allowed under state law and automatically shared with other agencies under standing agreements built into the Motorola system.
St. George Police Public Information Officer Tiffany Mitchell confirmed that agencies using Flock, like Cedar, may request access, but that access is not automatic.
St. George began piloting its system in May 2023 and officially adopted it in July 2024. Since then, it has been credited with helping solve several major cases, including:
Mitchell said the department performs periodic audits and has not recorded any substantiated misuse of the technology.
Earlier this year, Utah passed a law requiring all government agencies, including police departments, to establish policies for using generative AI tools like ChatGPT and DALL·E. However, the statute does not address how law enforcement uses surveillance technologies or whether the public has any say in their deployment.
While generative AI creates new content, tools like automatic license plate readers, geofencing and real-time tracking collect and analyze real-world data. Both fall under the expanding category of AI-driven enforcement — and that, critics argue, is exactly why broader legal scrutiny is needed.
Rep. Rex Shipp, R-Cedar City, who supported the generative AI bill, said he agrees it’s time to revisit how other technologies are regulated.
“I think it’s a legitimate concern,” Shipp said. “We’ve got to make sure we’re protecting privacy and constitutional rights, and that’s something I’m open to looking at.”
Utah has passed laws addressing facial recognition, drone surveillance and biometric data. But tools like the readers and geofencing still exist in legal gray areas.
In 2020, the Utah Supreme Court ruled that prolonged, warrantless surveillance using a pole-mounted camera pointed at a home could violate the Fourth Amendment. While the ruling didn’t mention license plate readers, civil liberties advocates say the same concerns apply.
The slippery slope: When tools become threats
While most law enforcement agencies in the U.S. describe surveillance systems as “just tools” to help catch “the bad guys,” civil liberties advocates aren’t so sure. They warn that even well-intentioned technology can quickly outpace the safeguards meant to keep it in check.
That concern isn’t new, but it’s growing. The 2002 film "Minority Report" portrayed a future where police arrest people before a crime is ever committed. Today, that kind of predictive enforcement no longer feels like science fiction.
In China, the Communist Party operates a sweeping surveillance network called the Integrated Joint Operations Platform. The system aggregates data from facial recognition cameras, biometric scans, mobile phone metadata, Wi-Fi networks and police checkpoints — all in real time. AI flags individuals based on behavior patterns, travel history, religious attendance or simply installing certain apps.
For many of those singled out, particularly within the Uyghur Muslim population, detention can follow without warning, warrant or charges. Critics of the program call it “pre-crime” policing, built not on what people have done, but on what algorithms predict they might do.
The Uyghurs are a Turkic-speaking, predominantly Muslim ethnic group living in China’s Xinjiang region. For years, they’ve faced intense state repression, with Beijing cracking down on their religion, language and culture under the guise of national security.
Chinese authorities have deployed mass surveillance, internment camps, forced labor and even forced sterilization — actions that many international bodies now classify as crimes against humanity or cultural genocide.
Though no U.S. city is operating at that scale, Iron County Attorney Chad Dotson said the comparison isn’t entirely far-fetched, especially as surveillance becomes more predictive and less transparent.
“We have to be very careful about how these tools are used and how far they go,” he said. “The line between solving crime and overreach can get blurry if we don’t have strict guardrails in place.”
While Dotson supports the use of automatic readers, he said he also believes they must be deployed within clear constitutional limits.
“License plate data alone is not enough to justify arrests or charges,” he said. “We still need corroboration and probable cause.”
While he acknowledged the benefits, Dotson warned that as technology gets faster and more predictive, the ethical stakes increase.
“It’s a powerful investigative tool,” Dotson said. “But it has to be part of a process that respects civil rights. These tools should never be used in isolation.”
That concern is one Adams said he shared from the outset — and why, he says, the department built Cedar City’s system around transparency and restraint.
“I wasn’t going to bring in something that compromised people’s rights,” Adams said. “We wanted to make sure from the very beginning that there were layers of protection. We chose this system for a reason. We can shut it down, we can limit who accesses it, and we know exactly how it’s being used.”
The automatic license plate reader system remains in a pilot phase. The Cedar City Council is expected to vote at the first meeting in June on whether to make the program permanent.
“Right now, it’s just a pilot,” said Cedar City Councilman Tyler Melling. “But we’re watching it closely, and we’re taking the community response seriously.”
The pilot program began in March and was designed to last 90 days. During that time, the city paid just under $50,000 to install Flock Safety cameras at several high-traffic intersections. The cost was covered through funds already allocated in the Police Department’s technology budget.
If the council votes to move forward, the city would enter into a three-year contract valued at approximately $300,000. Adams emphasized that the agreement includes strict contract language: Flock is prohibited from selling or mining the city’s data, and Cedar City retains the right to terminate the contract at any time.
“We were very deliberate about that,” Adams said. “We’re not handing our data over to be used by someone else. We control it — and we can pull the plug if that ever changes.”
Melling said he will likely support making the program permanent, calling it a useful tool to fight crime without hiring more officers. But he said that transparency and oversight remain essential.
And that’s where the larger debate begins.
The real question facing Cedar City — and cities across the country — is not whether law enforcement will use technology. That’s already happening.
The question is whether the laws, oversight and public dialogue can evolve fast enough to ensure those tools are used responsibly, without eroding the civil liberties they’re supposed to protect.
That conversation is no longer theoretical. It’s here.
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Each day's obituaries, delivered to your inbox.
Get our expert short-term forecast, summary of the weather details and news of any severe weather.
We'll send breaking news and news alerts to you as they happen!
Receive Sunday Local Offers Coupons from St. George News.
Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers:
Account processing issue - the email address may already exist
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Invalid password or account does not exist
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
Photo: AP PHOTOFormer US vice President Mike Pence has repeatedly invoked the constitution
after receiving the John F Kennedy Profile in Courage Award
Pence received the award for his refusal to endorse President Donald Trump's efforts to remain in office after losing the 2020 election
The award recognises Pence "for putting his life and career on the line to ensure the constitutional transfer of presidential power on January 6
Trump supporters who stormed the Capitol chanted that they wanted to "hang Mike Pence"
we have to find common ground," Pence said
"I hope in some small way my presence here tonight is a reminder that whatever differences we may have as Americans
the constitution is the common ground on which we stand
"It's what binds us across time and generations
His comments came hours after an interview with Trump aired in which he was asked whether US citizens and non-citizens both deserve due process as laid out in the fifth amendment of the constitution
I don't know," Trump said when pressed in an interview with NBC's Kristen Welker
Pence never mentioned Trump during his 10-minute speech but made several references to the Trump administration
Referencing what he called "these divided times
in these anxious days," he acknowledged that he probably had differences with the Democrats in the room but also with his own Republican Party "on spending
tariffs and my belief that America is the leader of the free world and must stand with Ukraine until the Russian invasion is repelled and a just and lasting peace is secured"
Trump pressured Pence to reject election results from swing states where the Republican president falsely claimed the vote was marred by fraud
When a mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol
some chanted that they wanted to "hang Mike Pence"
Pence was whisked away by Secret Service agents
narrowly avoiding a confrontation with the rioters
"Mike Pence didn't have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution
giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts
not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify," Trump wrote at the time on Twitter
as rioters moved through the Capitol and Pence was in hiding with his family
aides and security detail inside the building
Pence rejected Secret Service advice that he leave the Capitol
staying to continue the ceremonial election certification of Democrat Joe Biden's presidential victory once rioters were cleared
Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date
We care about the protection of your data. Read our <a class="font-medium text-white underline" href="/privacy/" target="_blank">Privacy Policy</a>
the Coinage Act and the Indiana Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
but a city official said the ruling is “unlikely to set a broad precedent.”
He parked in one of the meterless on-street parking zones on Walnut Street
which he has because he walks with a walking stick after back and neck surgeries
He returned 90 minutes later to see a ticket that said he had an expired meter
“And I looked up and down and couldn’t find a meter,” he said
which he said he could not read from his vehicle and which was in the opposite direction from his lunch meeting
the sign informed him that he needed a cell phone to park there
“I had literally never heard of anything like that,” he said
Combs said he has been careful about sharing personal information since he got embroiled in a security breach at Equifax
which required him to change every account and password he had
“I never give my banking information to anybody I don’t know,” he said
and his wife urged him to just pay the ticket
but the situation did not sit right with Combs
he said he wants government agencies to follow the law
And he said he was motivated to appeal because he believed the city couldn’t prevent people from paying for parking with cash
He also expressed frustration with the city effectively forcing residents to share personal information with a third party by mandating payment through an app
“Whoever heard of a place you can’t give money to park,” he said
With the help of retired local lawyer Guy Loftman
with whom Combs confers for township business
he drafted an appeal that urged city officials to rescind the fine because he alleged:
The city’s signage violates the Indiana Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices because the city’s signage is “illegible and thus unreadable to the driver of any vehicle attempting to legally park in that parking place.”A disabled person would have to exit the vehicle
“becoming a pedestrian” and move toward the sign until the print becomes readable
“Government cannot require individuals with disabilities to take significantly longer or more difficult routes.” The city therefore was in violation the Americans with Disabilities Act.The city does not offer the option of paying in currency for a government service and requires people to be in possession of a digital device
constitutes a violation of the Coinage Act of 1965
the Equal Protection and Due Process clauses of the 14th Amendment of the U.S
Constitution and the Equal Privileges Clause of the Indiana Constitution “by creating a special class or category of citizens to whom government services are arbitrarily and capriciously denied.”By demanding drivers pay digitally
the city is violating the First and Fifth Amendments to the U.S
Constitution “by first forcing the driver into participating in involuntary communication with an unknown and unvetted-by-the-driver vendor
and then submit highly personal and confidential banking data to this unknown entity.”For people who don’t have a smartphone
the parking sign lists a telephone number — presumably for people with “stupid” phones
though Combs said that also poses a “Hobson’s Choice” of sorts for people who don’t have a phone at all: Those people would have to leave their vehicle parked — unpaid — until they can find a place from where they can call the number on the sign to share their information over the phone
would mean they risk getting a ticket while trying to call to avoid getting a ticket
“The driver then would be engaged in a coerced self-discrimination which is a plain violation of the Fifth Amendment Protections against such," Combs wrote
"The only non-ticketing law-abiding option left here is for the driver to abandon the parking space
thereby acceding to their denial by the city of the liberty guaranteed them under the Fourteenth Amendment.”
The Office of the City Clerk of the City of Bloomington notified Combs on April 1 that after having reviewed the appeal
as Combs figured the dismissal might set a precedent for anyone in a similar situation
She did not specify which of Combs' arguments convinced her to granted his appeal
instead writing via email that “the totality of circumstances warranted the dismissal.”
who said she sent her email after consulting with Corporation Counsel Margie Rice
“Each citation appeal is reviewed individually
considering all the circumstances and any additional information provided by the person submitting the appeal
it is unlikely to set a broad precedent,” Bolden wrote
he hopes people get a chuckle out of the situation
“A little levity never hurt anyone in these troubled times,” he said
Boris Ladwig can be reached at bladwig@heraldt.com
Mayor Kahn presented the Daughter&#8217;s of the American Revolution with a proclamation to mark the two hundred thirty-seventh anniversary of the drafting of the Constitution of the United States of America by the Constitutional Convention in 1787
The Constitution is our Nation’s guiding document
and it is important to recognize and celebrate its existence while recalling the strength and bravery of those who fought for The Constitution and its amendments throughout history
The proclamation asked citizens to reaffirm the ideals that the framers of the Constitution had in 1787 by vigilantly protecting the freedoms guaranteed to us through this guardian of our liberties
remembering that lost rights may never be regained
Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker
by JACKSON WALKER | The National News Desk
(TNND) — The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression told The National News Desk Tuesday it is considering legal action against a New Jersey township council that listed the American flag and Constitution among a list of banned &quot;props.&quot;
“This is going to be served as a prop as last discussed in the last meeting,” council president Nishith Patel told Bassoff after he hoisted a copy of the nation&#x27;s founding document
then we will take this as a warning that if you continue — ”
“It’s my constitutional right,” Bassoff later said
My suggestion to you is that you get a second opinion from competent council because you are wrong.”
FIRE on Tuesday said it was alerted to TNND’s reporting of the incident and is now weighing legal action
FIRE’s senior program officer for public advocacy and a former New Jersey resident
said the incident appears to be a clear violation of Bassoff’s First Amendment rights
“No American should be booted from a city council meeting for holding the American flag or the U.S
“Joel brought a small flag to protest the council’s pending policy banning ‘props.’ Holding a small flag does not disrupt a meeting — it enhances the speaker’s message.”
the town council should ditch this unreasonable policy that threatens the rights of the people of Edison,” Jablonsky added
“Edison Township can expect to hear from FIRE in short order.”
a spokesperson told TNND the group is currently investigating the situation
when asked for his response to FIRE’s statement via email
shared a statement with TNND saying the council’s ordinance has been misunderstood
ban the American flag from our public meetings,” the statement reads
“It was NEVER ever the intent of this council to ban the American flag
nowhere in the ordinance is there even a reference to our nation’s flag being banned.”
“The decorum ordinance that was passed was intended to prevent the chronic and chaotic disturbances that have found their way into our council chamber which at times prevent us from doing the important business of our township,” it continues
“Our residents deserve our undivided attention as we attempt to deal with the challenges we face together every day
<a href="https://twitter.com/_jlwalker_" target="_blank" title="https://twitter.com/_jlwalker_" class="themeColorForLinks">Follow </a>Jackson Walker on X at @_jlwalker_ for the latest trending national news
the Supreme Court is considering whether the Americans with Disabilities Act protects against disability discrimination with respect to retirement benefits distributed after employment
Karyn Stanley served her community as a firefighter for nearly two decades until Parkinson’s disease forced her to retire early
she discovered her employer had changed its benefits plan: “normal” retirees would receive a health insurance subsidy until they turned 65
Stanley would only be covered for two years
To remedy this blatant disparate treatment
Stanley sued her employer under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
invoking Title I of the Act which prohibits discrimination “against a qualified individual on the basis of disability” in “compensation” and “other terms
and privileges of employment,” including “fringe benefits.” But the federal district and U.S
Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit rejected her claim
construing Title I as limited to prohibiting discrimination against current—not former—employees
Stanley petitioned the Supreme Court to hear her case and the Court agreed to do so
CAC filed an amicus brief in support of Stanley in the Supreme Court explaining that the Eleventh Circuit’s decision is at odds with the text and history of the ADA
retirement benefits distributed post-employment are subject to Title I’s protection against discrimination in “employee compensation” and the “terms
and privileges of employment.” Congress provided examples of actionable discrimination that
plainly apply to discrimination with respect to post-employment retirement benefits
and the Supreme Court has repeatedly stated that the term “fringe benefits” includes post-employment benefits
discrimination with respect to fringe benefits is actionable even if it occurs after the period of active employment has ended
Title I’s definition of unlawful “discrimination” provides no limit on when the discrimination must occur to be actionable under the ADA
Title I’s enforcement provision specifically incorporates the powers
which reach discrimination whenever it occurs
the Eleventh Circuit erred by construing the definition of “qualified individual” in Title I as imposing a substantive limit on when actionable discrimination must occur
The court held that because Title I defines a “qualified individual” as “an individual who
can perform the essential functions of the employment position that such individual holds or desires,” and a retiree does not “hold or desire” a position with her former employer
a retiree can never be a “qualified individual” who experiences actionable discrimination under the ADA
the court below fundamentally misunderstood the role of the definition of the term “qualified individual” in Title I’s statutory scheme
That definition makes clear that if an individual “holds or desires” an employment position
he or she must be able to perform the “essential functions” of that position
with or without a reasonable accommodation
The verbs “holds” and “desires” are written in the present tense because they refer to the time when a person must be capable of “performing the essential functions of the employment position,” not the time when actionable discrimination must occur
the decision below undermines Congress’s avowed effort to create a comprehensive remedy for employment discrimination on the basis of disability
The testimony leading up to the passage of the ADA repeatedly emphasized that workers with disabilities faced discrimination involving the “benefits for their health and retirement.” And Congress’s secondary interest in reducing dependence on government services by people with disabilities
including during the post-employment period
is at odds with the interpretation of Title I espoused by the Eleventh Circuit
Title I of the ADA was modeled on Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
which prohibits employment discrimination based on race
Interpreting the former but not the latter to bar suit by former employees would cause anomalous results
Lawmakers repeatedly made clear that they sought to provide protections under the ADA that were “identical” to the civil rights protections available under Title VII
if two retirees experience the exact same discrimination—with the exception that one individual’s employer unlawfully distinguishes on the basis of sex
while the other does so on the basis of disability—their cases may result in different outcomes
That would directly subvert Congress’s plan for the statute
It’s time to start thinking about the constitutional ideals that can put the nation’s finances on sound footing
There’s reason to hope for at least a temporary move toward fiscal sanity in Washington
a drive for a slimmed-down federal budget would last little longer than a New Year’s dieting resolution
What gives credibility to the current federal weight-loss plans is the commitment of some outsize characters
and Vivek Ramaswamy may partly cut the budget—not by $2 trillion
The force of personality, however, is no substitute for the force of law. Trump and his <a href="https://www.city-journal.org/article/trump-maga-elon-musk-tech-industry" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tech allies</a> are already running up against entrenched spending commitments
Even if they institute substantial savings
demands for federal largess will soon erode their efforts
The pressures for overspending seem inexorable—so if there is to be an enduring shift in fiscal direction
it will have to be secured in constitutional structure
What’s needed is to revive the Constitution’s crucial barriers against fiscal irresponsibility—primarily by persuading the Supreme Court to back down from wayward doctrines that invite misspending and worse
federal spending should only be for federal purposes
The Constitution carefully avoided creating a general spending power
it confined the federal government to spending only through Congress’s specified powers
thus limiting federal outlays to federal purposes
It turns the Constitution’s “general Welfare” language into a general spending power
thereby opening the floodgates for federal expenditures beyond federal ends
“The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes
to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States.” The first half of this statement recites the power to tax; the second half
beginning with “to pay the Debts,” limits taxation to national purposes
But at the Constitutional Convention in 1787
the roguish Gouverneur Morris surreptitiously placed a semicolon between the two halves
just after the word “Excises.” His goal was to transform the second half
notably the language about providing for the general welfare
The Constitutional Convention recognized his ruse
thereby making abundantly clear that the general-welfare language was merely a limit on taxing
That meant Congress could spend only through its enumerated powers—in other words
did not lie within the scope of federal powers
But now that the Supreme Court calls the general-welfare limitation “the spending power,” Washington feels free to subsidize vast stretches of American education
This federal largesse contributes substantially to the national debt—and for what
The centralized funding distorts education and the choices made by parents and students
It even creates the risk of centralized influence and homogenization
health care did not fall within the enumerated federal powers
and the Affordable Care Act is beyond the scope of federal spending
except as necessary for the military and other constitutional ends
federal funding often bureaucratizes health care
making it wasteful and expensive for everyone in the system—government and patients alike
the federal funding discourages research into other drugs and treatments
for both our personal health and the nation’s financial health
we should get the national government out of health care and leave it to the states
the breadth of demands for federal funding creates a dangerous competition for limited federal dollars
deprives the government of the resources it requires for defense and other crucial federal priorities
The Supreme Court therefore needs to return to the Constitution’s vision
which confines federal tax funds to specialized federal purposes
the judiciary will be responsible for depriving essential federal ends of federal support
no federal tax funds for states and localities
If the general-welfare language wasn’t meant to create a general spending power
it barred federal tax funds from flowing to states or localities
as spelled out by another clause of the Constitution (Article IV
the federal government can distribute federal lands and their proceeds to the states
the greatest proponent of expansive federal power
agreed that Congress couldn’t spend federal tax funds on the states
the Supreme Court has treated the general-welfare limitation as nearly meaningless
thereby allowing massive federal tax dollars (more than $1 trillion a year) to be spent on the states
a further problem with federal outlays on education and health care is that much of it flows through the states
This allocation of federal taxation to state programs dissipates political accountability—so the natural response to failed education or health care programs is to send them even more federal money
The Constitution assumes that money collected by the federal government must be paid into the Treasury
and it requires congressional appropriations before any money can be spent out of the Treasury
Congress thus enjoys firm control over spending
has weakened congressional control over spending—notably by letting the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau escape regular congressional appropriations
the CFPB can simply draw from the Federal Reserve System whatever amount the agency’s director thinks the bureau needs
Community Financial Services Association of America)
the Court upheld this evasion of congressional control
citing late eighteenth-century federal funding statutes as precedent
But the closest example the Court could cite was the early statute allowing the postmaster general to pay expenses out of fees collected by the Post Office
his subordinates’ statutorily limited commissions
and “defray the expense” of carrying the mail out of collected fees.) Similarly
another early statute gave customs collectors statutory commissions—again
These fee-based arrangements merely show that early officers could subtract specific types of statutorily authorized expenses before transferring collected funds to the Treasury
can simply demand whatever funds it wishes from another agency
Allowing federal agencies to do this releases them from congressional accountability
the Supreme Court should reconsider its holding—or
Congress should just shut down the CFPB and affirm that agencies shouldn’t be allowed to shirk fiscal accountability
The Constitution establishes the federal and state governments as independent sovereigns
in which different sets of the people have agency in governing themselves
as Chief Justice John Marshall recognized in McCulloch v
state laws can’t tax or otherwise impede federal instrumentalities
the federal government can’t direct state policy
the Supreme Court largely permits the federal government to direct state policy
Though the Court has an anti-commandeering doctrine that bars such federal interference
the doctrine only prohibits the federal government from using coercion to direct state policy—letting Washington use other
The Court’s doctrine also lets the federal government direct state policy
as long as its directions also apply to private persons
when the federal government imposes environmental and labor regulations on all Americans
it can get away with directing state policy on the environment and state employees
These loopholes are without constitutional justification and largely permit what the Constitution forbids
The federal government thereby can subject the states to a host of financially burdensome policies
Among the conditions the federal government places on its funding for the states are requirements that they match or otherwise add to the federal funds
Federal conditions thus “commandeer” state fiscal policy
facilitating federal funding and forcing the states to spend when they otherwise wouldn’t
from the Supreme Court’s reluctance to enforce the Constitution’s limits on the federal government
which has another source and thus needs a solution outside the Court
a constitutional amendment recalibrating the income tax
the Sixteenth Amendment has permitted Congress to impose income taxes without apportionment
thereby enabling federal taxation of productivity and the benefits of labor
thus more than doubling the disincentive for work
It’s therefore essential to recalibrate the income tax
all systems of taxation distort economic decisions and thus are apt to be unjust in one way or another
The best we can hope for is a combination of taxes that avoids overreliance on any one of them
A simple cap on income tax rates would be unwise
as it may be necessary to hike rates during a genuine emergency
But it would be beneficial to place a political drag on high rates
a constitutional amendment could limit the top income tax rate to 15 or 20 percentage points above the lowest rate
That would keep the rate near the stated number unless a majority were willing to pay more
Such an amendment would preserve flexibility
while creating political pressure for the low rates that are apt to produce economic growth
there would be complex questions about allowable deductions and what counts as taxable income
These constitutional changes—in Supreme Court doctrine and a constitutional amendment—are not beyond our reach
the constitutional case against the administrative state seemed quixotic; my arguments in 2014 against administrative power were dismissed as unrealistic
The Supreme Court has declared that you have the right to be heard in an Article III court (Axon
that agencies can’t deny you jury rights (Jarkesy)
and that Chevron deference is dead (Loper Bright)
Even delegation is in line for the chopping block
constitutional ideals can revive the Constitution
can bring seemingly improbable objectives into the realm of possibility
it’s time to start thinking about the constitutional ideals that can put the nation’s finances on a sound footing
But if we are to avoid being dragged down by our profligacy
we need to restore the structural foundations of fiscal responsibility
<a href="https://www.city-journal.org/person/philip-hamburger" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Philip Hamburger</a> is Maurice &amp; Hilda Friedman Professor of Law at Columbia Law School and CEO of the New Civil Liberties Alliance
Top Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
City Journal is a publication of the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research (MI)
Are you interested in supporting the magazine
donations in support of MI and City Journal are fully tax-deductible as provided by law (EIN #13-2912529)
Copyright © 2025 Manhattan Institute for Policy Research
Your request has been blocked by our security system due to potential security concerns
Please <a class="txt-link" href="https://www.newstribune.com/staff/">contact us</a> for assistance
Dozens of other states have embraced some version of an Equal Rights Amendment in their constitutions
New Yorkers will get a chance to vote on whether to expand the class of people protected against discrimination in the Equal Protection Clause of the state constitution
Editor&#8217;s note: After this story was published, New York voters approved ballot Proposal Number 1, with nearly <a href="https://citylimits.org/2024/11/05/amid-street-vendor-crackdown-nyc-voters-weigh-enforcement-expansion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">78 percent of ballots in favor</a> of the measure
according to the city’s Board of Elections
This story was originally published on April 16
2024 to reflect changes in the election landscape since last spring
new language will be added stipulating that people cannot be denied rights based on their &#8220;ethnicity
and reproductive healthcare and autonomy.”&nbsp;
The current iteration of the Equal Protection Clause
prohibits discrimination against people based on race
In addition to New York, dozens of <a href="https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/state-level-equal-rights-amendments" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">other states</a> have embraced some version of an Equal Rights Amendment in their constitutions
The ERA has been under consideration at the federal level for over 100 years—it was introduced in 1923—but has never mustered the two-thirds vote from the congressional chambers necessary to add it to the U.S
Constitution.New York would be the first state to include such all-encompassing language
something advocates hope will set the tone for other states.&nbsp;
Over the course of her time working as a supervising attorney and now the director&nbsp;of New York Legal Assistance Group&#8217;s LGBTQ Law Unit,* Betz has witnessed what she calls “rampant” discrimination against the LGBTQ population—predominantly in the workplace
and prevent her clients from seeking future employment
“Even though we have very robust human rights laws
there&#8217;s still lots of discrimination that people are suffering from,” she said.&nbsp;
and reproductive healthcare and autonomy,” the ballot measure places the onus on New Yorkers to declare their support
which they also hope will help boost voter turnout
Even with the majority of New Yorkers in support of abortion rights, the state has still come up against legal challenges. Earlier this year, an unnamed anti-abortion advocate attempted to <a href="https://www.courthousenews.com/anti-abortion-advocate-brings-challenge-of-ny-reproductive-health-act-to-second-circuit/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">resurrect a class action</a> lawsuit brought against New York Gov
arguing that fetuses should have the same rights to personhood afforded to born children.&nbsp;
campaign director for New Yorkers for Equal Rights
one of the key groups working to pass the amendment
worries that if the state does not codify these protections in the constitution
which ensures access to reproductive rights throughout the state and the right to abortion.The Equal Protection Clause amendment
would add an additional layer of protection so that New York could never pass an all-out abortion ban
“Really what we&#8217;re doing is shoring up our rights
ensuring that no matter where the wind blows
who represents New York’s 57th State Senate District in Western New York
called the amendment “unnecessary,” and said New Yorkers are already protected in the state constitution and the federal bill of rights
He expressed reservations about the language of the amendment
which he believes would leave too much room for interpretation and could be used to limit free speech.&nbsp;
“It&#8217;s filled with Trojan horses,” he said
very vague and that creates a lot of opportunity for dangerous situations.”&nbsp;&nbsp;
The amendment has strong backing from the Democratic party and advocacy groups including Planned Parenthood, the League of Women Voters, and the New York Civil Liberties Union. A recent Sienna College poll found that<a href="https://scri.siena.edu/2024/10/22/harris-opens-19-point-lead-over-trump-58-39-up-from-55-42-in-september-her-largest-lead-to-date/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> 69 percent of New York voters support the clause</a>
who leads the anti-LGBTQ discrimination firm Sanders Law P.C.
called the amendment “just the first step.”&nbsp;
“The law itself doesn&#8217;t force the change
thinking differently and having better understanding,” he said.&nbsp;
New Yorkers can find the yes or no question on the back side of their ballots when they vote early this week or in the national election on Tuesday
This story was produced as part of the 2024 Elections Reporting Mentorship
organized by the Center for Community Media and funded by the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment
To reach the editor, contact <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="08426d696665697a616d486b617c71646165617c7b26677a6f">[email&#160;protected]</a>
*This story has been updated since original publication to correct the name of the NYLAG department where Betz works; it is the LGBTQ Law Unit
Take a short anonymous survey to help us deliver content to empower our community
previously serving as youth program manager
she covered Astoria and Long Island City for DNAinfo.com and reported for Bronx community papers
and website in this browser for the next time I comment
&#916;document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value"
MEXICO CITY — Mexico’s Senate on Wednesday narrowly passed sweeping changes to the courts that include having judges elected by the public rather than appointed
in a major and controversial set of constitutional reforms
The approval came hours after hundreds of protesters broke into Mexico's Senate
forcing the body to take a temporary recess
The proposed reforms have led judges and other judicial staff to strike and protest
in what’s become one of Mexico’s biggest constitutional debates in years
Here are the main things to understand about the reforms and why they are so controversial
outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has been promoting a plan to remake the federal judiciary and Claudia Sheinbaum
Both accuse the courts of gross corruption and say their changes are crucial
The biggest proposal changes how federal judges are selected
Instead of working their way up the judiciary
the governing party wants them to be elected by popular vote
judges from the Supreme Court on down to local courts will have to run for office
The plan also includes reforms like making sure no judicial worker makes more than the president
Mexico’s June elections handed Sheinbaum the victory and congressional supermajority needed to amend the Constitution
López Obrador and his protege Sheinbaum say this will make the judiciary answer to the people instead of big business or organized crime
After the lower house of Congress passed the reform 359-135
the sale of justice to the highest bidder,” he said
Judges and judicial staff <a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/08/21/nx-s1-5084205/mexicos-federal-judiciary-goes-on-strike">have been on strike</a> since Aug
they formed picket lines in front of federal courthouses and just as the Mexican Congress was set to begin debating the measure
they surrounded the lower bodies’ headquarters in Mexico City to block the session
“Democracy is in danger," José Fernando Migues Hernández, a Mexican judiciary worker, <a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/08/21/nx-s1-5084205/mexicos-federal-judiciary-goes-on-strike" target="nx-s1-5084205">told NPR</a>
federal courts had issued three injunctions in an attempt to stop the reforms
But governing party lawmakers worked around the protesters and injunctions
saying they were an infringement of their constitutional rights
they announced they would debate at a gym outside Mexico City
That’s where legislators from the lower house approved the raft of measures
who clerked in Mexico's Supreme Court and now teaches comparative law at University of California
When the framers of the current constitution
discussed the judiciary they called electing judges an “inexplicable aberration.” They believed that elected judges led to corruption
so they reasoned that unlike the other two branches of government
“The framers expressed the need to establish an independent judicial power with security of tenure,” she says
As the country took steps toward democracy in the 1990s
it also began appointing judges the way the United States does at the federal level
states elect local judges.) And in the early 2000’s
nearly 80 years after it became independent on paper
the court finally began issuing landmark opinions
the Mexican judges were able to interpret and expand the scope of the rights already recognized in the Mexican Constitution,” Castillejos-Aragón says
In recent years, the courts have struck down key policies of the president. For instance, in April 2023, the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/mexico-national-guard-constitution-civilian-military-8c0be1ed6c6f28d180e2b9f9d8ccbcc5">Supreme Court ruled</a> that the National Guard — a large paramilitary force created by President López Obrador to patrol the country — could not remain under military command
Castillejos-Aragón says the new reforms might put in danger hard-fought independence that allowed the judiciary to check the presidency
She believes the current leadership is reacting to decisions like that National Guard ruling: The executive
wants to make sweeping changes without the courts getting in its way
The only big democracy to elect judges at the federal level by popular vote is Bolivia
who studies judiciaries at the Autonomous Technological Institute of Mexico
did diversify the courts but it did not make them any less corrupt
He says it just politicized the courts and weakened the public’s confidence in them
according to constitutional lawyer Juan Carlos González Cancino
Big tax cases or business cases get decided with a phone call or a bag of money
It's about factions of the Mexican elite fighting for power and the money that power begets
“But that ends because this reform destroys that power structure,” he says
it doesn’t matter what the courts think about these reforms
The Mexican people spoke loud and clear when they handed the government the supermajority needed to reform the Constitution
“The function of the judiciary should be to defend the popular will
as manifested by the constitution,” he says
<a href="/about-npr/186948703/corporate-sponsorship">Become an NPR sponsor</a>
Social studies and civics teachers attend a regional conference on teaching the U.S
The event was organized by Utah Valley University's Center for Constitutional Studies and hosted at the Southern Utah University campus
Civic Education program development specialist at Utah Valley University's Center for Constitutional Studies
discusses resources for teaching secondary students about the U.S
More than 130 public school educators from 11 counties in Central and Southern Utah attend a daylong specialized training on teaching the U.S
Elementary school educators of third- and fifth-grade students attend a daylong specialized training on teaching the U.S
director of the Civic Thought and Leadership Initiative within Utah Valley University's Center for Constitutional Studies
welcomes public school administrators to a daylong specialized training on teaching the U.S
A variety of classroom resources were provided to participating teachers who attended a specialized training on teaching the U.S
A variety of classroom resources were provided to participating teachers who attended a specialized training on teaching the U.S
director of communication for the Utah Valley University Center for Constitutional Studies
Dozens of public school teachers from Southern and Central Utah pose for a group photo while attending a regional conference on teaching the U.S
Dozens of public social studies teachers gathered at the Southern Utah University campus in Cedar City last Thursday to receive specialized training on educating students about the U.S
said approximately 130 teachers from 11 different counties in Utah attended the event
in addition to several school administrators and other staffers
“The purpose is to bring third grade teachers
fifth grade teachers and secondary social studies teachers here to receive training
lesson plans and resources in order for them to be able to teach the Constitution and founding principles more effectively,” McIntire said
The full-day training session included specific instruction on how to implement recently added elements in the state’s CORE curriculum
“We're acquainting them with the social studies CORE and then helping them to have some resources to teach what needs to be taught according to the CORE,” he said
director of the Civic Thought and Leadership Initiative within UVU’s Center for Constitutional Studies
said that more than 600 teachers statewide have received training since the Utah Legislature first created the initiative in 2021
“We thought the biggest impact we can have is by teaching the teachers
helping prepare them so that they're prepared and ready and have the resources they need,” Burton said
While previous training sessions have been held on UVU’s campus in Orem or in smaller groups in rural areas
Thursday’s regional event at SUU was the first of its kind
“This is kind of our boot camp,” Burton said
What is its relationship to the Constitution
It's kind of the Vince Lombardi ‘this is a football’ approach
Added Burton: “We connect it to the standards they need to teach so it's applicable
and then give them some fun teaching strategies and approaches
The educators were also given various books
lesson materials and other resources to use in their classrooms
“We're also partnering with the <a href="https://billofrightsinstitute.org/" target="_blank">Bill of Rights Institute</a>, with <a href="https://www.lawrelatededucation.org/programs/we-the-people-the-citizen-the-constitution" target="_blank">We the People</a>, which is part of Utah Law Related Education and the <a href="https://america250.utah.gov/" target="_blank">America 250</a> Commission of Utah,” Burton said
is for teachers “to be able to understand the Constitution themselves and then to be able to pass that knowledge on to their students in the classroom.”
The educators were divided into three groups for the training: third grade
The instructors for the sessions were specially trained “master teachers,” most of whom are also K-12 educators
“We call them our Robertson fellows,” he said
who was James Madison's equivalent of a high school teacher
Madison said that Donald Robertson changed his life more than any other man.”
The attendees had their meals and lodging paid for
a $100 gift card and reimbursement for their substitute teachers to cover their classes
Email notifications are only sent once a day
summary of the weather details and news of any severe weather
We'll send breaking news and news alerts to you as they happen
Receive Sunday Local Offers Coupons from St
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account
Missouri is poised to legalize abortion after voters Tuesday approved a constitutional amendment designed to overturn one of the most restrictive bans in the nation
The proposal was passing 52.3% to 47.6% as of 1 a.m
The Associated Press called the vote for the amendment a few hours earlier
we've done something that many thought was impossible,” said Mallory Schwarz of Abortion Action Missouri
“Through the sheer will and power of the people across ZIP codes and backgrounds
Missouri becomes the first state to end a total abortion ban at the ballot box.”
Amendment 3 places language in the Missouri Constitution legalizing abortion up to fetal viability
abortion rights proponents plan to file lawsuits to strike down the state’s near-total ban
“While passing Amendment 3 is a crucial step in restoring access to reproductive freedom in Missouri
it is not the last step,” Luz María Henríquez of the ACLU of Missouri
“As attempts to undermine our new right ensue
we have to turn this extraordinary moment into an enduring movement.”
Some Missouri lawmakers have said they may try to place another measure on the ballot to either weaken or repeal Amendment 3
including incoming House Speaker Jon Patterson
have said they don’t support that type of plan
Stephanie Bell of Missouri Stand With Women
said: “This is not the result we wanted but despite being outspent by millions of dollars
life won in the majority of Missouri counties.”
“Our work to protect the safety of women and the dignity of life continues,” Bell said
“Life supporters will not sit back and watch as Big Abortion works to dismantle all the health and safety protections put in place to protect women and babies
We will continue to fight and ultimately be victorious against the forces who see no value in life.”
While Amendment 3 ended up failing most of the state’s rural areas
Tuesday’s successful vote marks a seismic victory for abortion rights supporters
who’ve seen their political influence dwindle as the state tilted toward the GOP
After years of passing scores of abortion restrictions
Missouri made most abortions illegal after the U.S
The current law makes no exceptions for women who become pregnant because of rape or incest — only medical emergencies
Passage of the amendment is a huge loss for Missouri Republicans who made opposition to abortion rights a central part of their agenda since they took over the General Assembly in the early 2000s
Abortion rights proponents in Missouri faced a long road to Tuesday’s victory
They had to slog through a number of lawsuits over Amendment 3’s cost estimate and ballot summary language
After thousands of volunteers helped gather enough signatures
the proposal nearly was struck from the ballot before the Missouri Supreme Court allowed it on a 4-3 vote
Abortion rights backers also had to deal with a failed effort from Missouri legislators to place a separate ballot item before voters to make the Missouri Constitution harder to amend — which was aimed at preventing the abortion legalization measure from passing
“Politicians tried to block this campaign from even getting off the ground and starting
A campaign committee supporting Amendment 3 ended up raising more than $30 million and galvanizing abortion rights backers
Public polling also showed that the plan had support from a minority of Republican respondents
which was a sign that the near-total ban wasn’t universally popular
“I have family members who have always been in that group
and now they're like: This is just too far
too much,” said Richmond Heights resident Katrina Dalbey
“There's so much of a gray area when it comes to abortion
Just picking one side and doubling down on it is not what we see as strong leadership and pro-life.”
it did get a last-minute cash infusion — including a $1 million donation from a group linked to conservative legal activist Leonard Leo
Abortion rights opponents sought to rally the state’s religious voters who feel that the procedure is morally wrong
They also sought to point out what they felt could be unintended consequences of Amendment 3
including allowing for abortions late in pregnancy and expanding gender-affirming care for minors
“There are lots of provisions within this that would be enshrined into our constitution that I think are causing lots of Missourians very real concerns,” said Stephanie Bell with the anti-Amendment 3 group Missouri Stands with Women
Amendment 3 backers said those types of arguments were misleading scare tactics
They also cast serious doubt that judges would interpret the measure to legalize things like gender transition surgery for minors
Mexico City legislators rally in favor of judicial reform at the Mexico City Congress
Mexico City legislators demonstrate against judicial reform
with signs that read in Spanish “No justice” at the Mexico City Congress
Police guard the Mexico City Congress in expectation of protests against judicial reform
walks past police who guard the Mexico City Congress amid judicial reform
Mexico City legislators in favor of judicial reform hold signs that read in Spanish ¨The people rule
Mexico City legislators in favor of judicial reform pose for photos at the Mexico City Congress
Mexico City legislators discuss the judicial reform bill at the Mexico City Congress
Legislators protest judicial reform in the Mexico City Congress
The signs read in Spanish “I am resistance
" and “Without justice there’s no future.” (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)
Judiciary workers protest judicial reform outside the Mexico city Congress
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico is poised to amend its constitution this weekend to require all judges to be elected as part of a judicial overhaul championed by the outgoing president but slammed by critics as a blow to the country’s rule of law
Legal experts and international observers have said the move could endanger Mexico’s democracy by stacking courts with judges loyal to the ruling Morena party
which has a strong grip on both Congress and the presidency after big electoral wins in June
The overhaul has fueled weeks of strikes and protests by judicial employees
18 legislatures already had ratified the overhaul
López Obrador said he would time his signing of the measure for Sunday’s celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day
The event will allow the populist leader to solidify the judicial transformation as his legacy
just weeks before he leaves office on Sept
now it’s legal,” López Obrador said during in a morning news briefing on Thursday
reaffirming that in Mexico there is authentic democracy
electing their public servants in all three branches
an impediment to finding solutions to our problems
but I’m hopeful that the Constitution can still work for us because I think the Constitution was intended to address exactly the kinds of problems we face now
It was intended to enable a divided society to hold together and govern itself
And a lot of the facets of the Constitution that are most frustrating to the most intense and polarized political combatants today are a function of the fact that it was intended to frustrate intense political combatants
and that it was designed to make sure that the system as a whole does not become a weapon for one side or another but facilitates a politics that compels them to deal with each other—to act together even when they don’t think alike
The tools it offers us for achieving that are still there for us to use if we understand them properly
and if we can come to know the Constitution again on its own terms
Has the Constitution’s unifying function failed us
or is it that we’ve lost or forgotten something
If it’s true that the Constitution is intended to facilitate greater cohesion
then we would have to say that a time of bitter division is an era of constitutional failure
But your question is key: Is this a failure of constitutional design
I think it is much more our failure—and I argue in the book that this failure has been driven by our implicit and explicit adoption of an alternative constitutional vision
a progressive political ideal that sees itself as more sophisticated than the U.S
Constitution about what modern government requires
But I think the Constitution is actually much more sophisticated than its critics when it comes to the most significant challenge facing every modern free society: the challenge of cohesion amid diversity
So I think the most significant failures in our politics are failures of constitutional practice
and that a more functional and cohesive political culture requires us to return to the logic of the Constitution
Tell us about the religious connotations of “covenant” in your title
I certainly don’t mean to suggest that there is anything religious or sacred about the American Constitution
adapted and amended to suit our country’s political needs
But the title points to the Constitution’s role in shaping American political life
The Constitution is more than a contract: a contract is an agreement that describes the actions different parties need to take and assumes that
A covenant describes a relationship; it’s an affirmation of a set of links and obligations
I keep my part in it because it’s part of who I am
our Constitution is not a contract but a covenant
It can teach us that we belong together.&nbsp;
Are there any constitutional reforms you would recommend
There are certainly political reforms I’d recommend
I argue for reforms of the primary system (to revitalize the American party system)
reforms of Congress (to empower committees again)
I argue for expanding the House of Representatives
to improve its ability to represent the public
But these are all ways of allowing us to improve our constitutional practice
to better put into effect the logic and character of the Constitution
They don’t require constitutional amendments—they are ways of letting the Constitution amend and correct our worst civic vices
I’ve really benefitted this year from reading Marc Landy and Dennis Hale’s new book
At the moment I’m also reading Rick Brookhiser’s new book about John Trumbull
Photo: mphillips007 / iStock / Getty Images Plus
one curiosity lingered as I waited for U.S
How this weekly miracle comes out every week &mdash; and has done so since 2001 &mdash; is a tribute to the folks on this page and the many who came before them
I&rsquo;m glad to contribute a few tricks I&rsquo;ve learned from 55 years in journalism all over the map
When City Utilities was faced with the potential for significant staff turnover last year
the utility handed out retention payments to keep top leaders on the job
But a recent investigation by the State Auditor's Office finds the practice violated the Missouri Constitution
According to the auditor's investigative summary document obtained by the News-Leader
CU justified the payments to investigators by saying leaders would take on additional duties and that they were made in the best interest of customers
an incentive was used to delay CEO and President Gary Gibson's retirement
The Board of Public Utilities discussed and approved Gibson's compensation in closed session
which the Auditor's Office found to be a violation of the Sunshine Law
The investigation was prompted by a complaint to the office regarding the payments and alleged threats of retaliation if anything was disclosed to the public
no evidence was found to indicate retaliation or an attempt to conceal the payments from the public
How much were executive leaders paid?In total
CU paid almost $194,000 in retention payments
The utility provider's leadership team is made up of the CEO-president and seven vice presidents
With half of these employees retiring or leaving for new jobs
CU was desperate to retain the remaining leaders
who were also eligible to retire or be recruited elsewhere in 2023
Three vice presidents who remained employed were promoted to senior vice presidents and their retention payments were contingent on them remaining with CU until Dec
The payments were based on years of service
with one week's pay per five years of service
SVP-Chief Technology and People Officer Stephanie O'Connor: $46,345 (32 years of service)SVP-Chief Financial and Supply Chain Officer Amy Derdall: $17,525 (15 years of service)SVP-Chief Legal & Economic Development Officer Dwayne Fulk: $13,454 (5.6 years of service)When it came to Gibson
the goal was to incentivize the delay of his retirement
which he would have become eligible for in March 2023
The board wanted to extend this to at least the end of 2024
the board approved an amended employment agreement to include a one-time retention payment equal to 10.5 weeks of Gibson's base salary if he did not submit a notice of retirement or resignation before March 31
The CEO's contract requires nine months' notice for resignation or retirement to avoid substantial financial penalties
For Gibson, who will <a href=https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/ozarks/2024/04/24/springfield-city-utilities-ceo-gary-gibson-plans-retire-early-2025/73440148007/ target=_blank rel="noreferrer noopener">retire in February 2025</a>
He announced his plans to retire in late April
$40,000 went to retention payments for union-represented bus operators
as part of the collective bargaining agreement
the board approved $1,000 retention payments for bus operators who remained employed for more than one year
one of City Utilities’ highest priorities is recruitment and retention of hard-to-fill positions such as our bus operators
Retention payments were believed to be an available strategy to City Utilities to assist in this endeavor based on past Missouri State Auditor reports
Missouri Attorney General opinions and longtime use by other Missouri public entities," CU Media Relations Manager Joel Alexander said in a statement on behalf of the utility
But the review by the auditor's office found that the opinions CU cited to justify the payments still held that the bonuses were in violation of the Missouri Constitution
CU noted that the investigation's findings and recommendations will be reviewed to inform future decisions and practices
The Missouri Constitution prohibits payments for services previously rendered and essentially bans public officers from receiving bonuses for regular duties performed previously
CU noted that as part of the promotions and extra pay
vice presidents would take on responsibility for additional sections of the organization
CU did not provide any documentation to support what these additional duties required or if they were actually performed
While they provided an email indicating various units now fell under the senior vice presidents
the report said details were lacking in regard to how these were different from previous responsibilities
and they were not included in the actual criteria for the employees to earn the retention payment
Payments were not made until after the employees met the retention requirement
meaning they were paid for services previously rendered
The summary also notes that the board never officially voted for or approved the retention payments for vice president roles
While they were mentioned at meetings and the multipliers determined by Gibson and communicated to the board in closed session
the board members never discussed or voted on the matter
"CU personnel indicated the Board only approves CEO compensation
but it would appear appropriate for the Board toapprove such payments for all employees given the dollar amount and unique nature of the payment," the investigative summary reads
salaries and lengths of service of officers and employees of public agencies once they are employed as such."
"With the departure of almost 70 years of institutional knowledge from CU’s executive leadership team
due largely to similar timing of retirement eligibility
we believe it was in the best interest of the utility to ensure continuity by retaining CEO Gary Gibson’s strong leadership through the reorganization of the executive team," Board Chair Kristin Carter said in an emailed statement
"We also believe the board properly discussed this retention plan for Gary in closed session because we had to consider his leadership capabilities for the seamless transition we were prioritizing
We fully respect the auditor’s analysis and recommendations and will review the opinion in full for guidance on any relevant future matters.”
More: <a href=https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/ozarks/2024/06/05/3m-sued-by-city-utilities-for-knowingly-contaminating-water/73979279007/ target=_blank>City Utilities sues 3M for knowingly contaminating James River with 'forever chemicals'</a>
The conclusion of the investigation indicates that the Auditor's Office will issue its findings to CU and reiterate to the board that all payments should be properly approved in open session and comply with all applicable laws and regulations
director of communications at the State Auditor's Office
the office does not have an enforcement mechanism with the findings
He noted that if future violations were to occur the Attorney General's Office could step in
based on state statute and the limits on that office's authority
leaders recognized the investigation's findings and noted they will be used to guide future decisions
Marta Mieze covers local government at the News-Leader
HELENA — Two-hundred thirty-seven years ago
thirty-nine delegates signed the United States Constitution
Montana's capital city members joined together to celebrate the historic event
"The promise of freedom of controlling their own destinies in this country led incredibly courageous people who really did put their lives
their fortunes all on the line to create this new nation that is this amazing experiment that we have still today in America," said Deborah Swingley
a member of Oro Fino Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR)
NSDAR puts on the event with support from state officials
Speakers at the event include Superintendent Elsie Arntzen
and Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen
During the event, Jacobsen announced the <a class="Link" href="https://civics.sosmt.gov" data-cms-ai="0">2024 Secretary of State Constitution contest</a> prompt: "How does the Constitution preserve our freedom
Helena Xpress Singers performed patriotic songs like "God Bless America" and "Happy Birthday" to the Constitution
"The Constitution is the supreme law of the land
The Constitutional Convention started in May of 1787 when delegates began working on the Constitution
what lessons can we take from the delegates' work almost 250 years ago
we're all going to give a little bit to get to this greater good.' that is really what will promote our country and our better tomorrows," Swingley said
The event ended with the Montana Statehood Centennial Bell being run two
and seven times for the 237 years since the Constitution's signing
You can learn more about the Oro Fino Chapter of NSDAR by calling (406)933-8203
Log-in to bookmark & organize content - <a class='inline-sign-up' href='//www.c-span.org/classroom/register/'it's free!</a>
Grove City College president Paul McNulty described the structure of the U.S
Constitution and some of the terminology used to describe individual parts of the Constitution
adapted from the work of Frankton (IN) High School teacher Kevin Cline
students will work in one of several groups to explore the major tenets of the U.S
The lesson opens with two reflective questions that ask students to reflect on the purpose of the Constitution and describe what they already know is included in the document
Students then view an introductory video clip in which Grove City College president Paul McNulty describes the structure of the U.S
students work in assigned or chosen small groups to study a section of the U.S
After students are finished answering the questions for their sections
students will rotate among different groups to teach their sections to other groups in a Jigsaw-style "Speed Dating" activity
Students then view and analyze a final video clip in which Supreme Court Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch discusses three ideals in the U.S
while in conversation with one of his law clerks and National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen
students respond to a summative writing prompt that asks them to "describe the importance and significance" of the U.S
This lesson offers several options for you to use with your students whether you are teaching in class
It can be completed in steps as a class or students can move at their own pace and complete the activities independently
You can post links to the videos in the lesson along with the related handout and engage in discussion to share responses on a discussion board or learning management system
You can also save and share the following Google resource for students to use with this lesson
Handout: <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/12kjSYI9uc_tf9kkCZS8Z3C7Fy25F44HQ3j-4ngsc3WU/edit?usp=sharing">Graphic Organizer</a> (Google Doc)
choose &quot;File&quot; then &quot;Make a Copy&quot; to get your own copy
You can make any needed adjustments in the instructions such as which activities students need to complete
and then make it available to them via Google
Pose the following brainstorming questions to your students
directing them to record their responses in their graphic organizer
Play the following introductory video clip of Grove City College president Paul McNulty describing the structure of the U.S
Direct your students to answer the related question on their graphic organizer and share their findings with a partner
Clip #1: <a href="https://www.c-span.org/classroom/document/?17506">The Structure of the Constitution</a> (2:46)
Direct students to the Engagement section of their graphic organizers
your students will work in groups to study a section of the U.S
The lesson as written is currently set up for eight (8) different groups
but this can be modified at the teacher's discretion
Either assign students to specific groups or let them choose which section to study
Once groups are formed, instruct your students to use <a href="https://www.c-span.org/classroom/constitutionClips/">C-SPAN’s Constitution Clips webpage</a> to answer the questions listed below for their assigned or chosen group
Remind your students to make sure to reference the text of the Constitution and what they learned from watching the respective video clips
After all groups are finished with their sections and you have informally checked for understanding, direct your students to the Speed Date section of their graphic organizers. In this section, students will rotate among different groups to teach their sections to other groups in a <a href="https://www.readingrockets.org/classroom/classroom-strategies/jigsaw">Jigsaw-style classroom activity</a> (Reading Rockets)
Have each group divide themselves into ‘sitters’ and ‘movers.’ At your direction
‘sitters’ will stay where they are seated and ‘movers’ will relocate to a different table to meet with a different group
In a series of several rounds of sitting and moving
have your students share their group’s findings from their Constitution sections with their classmates
Remind students to record what they learn from their peers as well
each student should have every question answered in the Engagement section of their graphic organizers
After your students finish sharing their findings from the lesson
direct them to the Reflection section of their graphic organizers
Instruct your students to view the following final video clip in which Supreme Court Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch discusses three ideals in the U.S
Direct your students to answer the related questions and share their findings with a partner
Clip #2: <a href="https://www.c-span.org/classroom/document/?23287">Ideals of the Constitution</a> (13:34)
After your students are finished with the lesson
direct them to complete the final culminating writing prompt and have students share their responses
comparing their perspectives with their classmates' perspectives: Having learned about the U.S
describe the importance and significance of the document
Be sure to include evidence from the video clips in the lesson to support your argument
An Examiner investigation into the six-figure funds bestowed on the city of Beaumont’s top employees by a split vote of the City Council on Dec
3 has revealed the retroactive raise imposed on Beaumont taxpayers is a direct violation of the Texas Constitution
While seeking public documentation from the city regarding the funding
more than $30,000 alone gifted to City Manager Kenneth Williams above and beyond his regularly six-figure contracted salary
The Examiner was informed that interim Chief Financial Officer Cheryl Ray is resigning her position with a little more than a two-week notice to cushion her departure
Ray wasn’t in the CFO position for very long; she lasted about nine months
Prior employment as the finance director for the city of Vidor spanned seven years; Ray served as a manager at the Edgar
Kiker &amp; Cross certified public accounting firm for almost seven years immediately before that
Ray even served as comptroller for the city of Beaumont for nearly two years before she took over the CFO role
Beaumont CFO Todd Simoneaux resigned from the same position at roughly this same time one year ago
Simoneaux warned Beaumont’s elected leaders
its residents and those with fiscal interest in the city’s solvency that financial matters were being handled inappropriately – at best
I have felt confident about the financial position and budget practices and philosophies of the city
I raised financial concerns about the proposed budget and feel that those concerns were not fully addressed in the final budget that was submitted to council,” Simoneaux explained
“and those concerns could adversely affect the future financial condition of the city.”
“I’ll help with the transition,” the longtime certified public accountant was unwilling to continue to serve where
“the trust and confidence that have been placed in me” were jeopardized
“It is crucial that I stand by my convictions and ethical principles
even if it means stepping away from a position I hold dear,” Simoneaux concluded
This is the first budget cycle since Simoneaux’s departure – and noted deficiencies in the 2025 Budget have been persistent since the first draft was released without proper accounting for prior years’ tax collection
the budget that was approved prior to its effective date of Oct
Beaumont City Council members Audwin Samuel
Turner voted in favor of a 2% raise of the city manager’s base pay of $262,500 (as of the last produced public information; a new request remained unfulfilled as of press time)
The pay would additionally be retroactively paid
Mike Getz and Taylor Neild voting to forego the raise
in addition to a 2% boost to the pay of the city secretary
a tie-breaking vote was cast by Mayor Roy West to add it all to the taxpayers’ bill
the resolution approved an extra $30,000 to be allocated for the city manager’s retirement account
or a purpose of his choosing;” as well as roughly $23,000 each for the city secretary
The exact cost to taxpayers is still uncertain
as The Examiner’s public information request in still in limbo
“To prevent counties or municipalities from freely giving away the public moneys for services previously rendered or for which no valid legal authorization existed for which the public would receive no return,” the Texas Attorney General’s Office holds that any municipality granting retroactive compensation to staff outside of contract negotiations is acting in violation of the Texas Constitution
then-Attorney General Greg Abbott wrote in October 2005 that
“The legislature shall have no power to grant
or to authorize any county or municipal authority to grant
servant or contractor after service has been rendered or a contract has been entered into and performed in whole or in part.”
Abbott further cited prior judicial rulings on the matter dating back to 1914
and 2005 – all asserting the same conclusion: Retroactive raises to municipal employees is unconstitutional
The Examiner’s investigation into this matter further established that
at Beaumont City Council meetings conducted over a 20-year span during former Beaumont City Attorney Tyrone Cooper’s tenure
council and administration were advised that retroactive payments to municipal employees were prohibited
reports human resources holding to a policy of not granting pay retroactively
When raises to the top employees under council’s charge were added to the Dec
Getz and Feldshau expressed concern for continuing deficit spending and voted against the raises
Following the meeting where the opposition to high-dollar raises was outvoted
Williams carbon copied council members a retort to express his displeasure in those who question his competence and/or his compensation
“I refuse to continue to sit idly by for your denigrating insults and character assassination of my impeccable reputation and proficiencies as one of the most accomplished city managers in the world,” Williams wrote
adding that “feedback had gotten to me” that at least one council member opposed the proposed compensation package “and was actively working to circumvent the plans.”
“I certainly did not ask for an increase;” Williams asserted
Regardless of where the retroactive pay offer originated
Texas Municipal League Assistant General Counsel Laura Mueller advised in the printed “Employment Law Manual for Texas Cities” circa 2015 that retroactive pay is not in line with the Texas Constitution that governs Texas cities
House Bill 483 from the 2013 legislative session would keep a city from paying more than the contracted amount to a contract employee without meeting certain notice and hearing criteria,” Mueller advised
“This process will affect all contractual employees but will likely have a special effect on city managers
House Bill 483 by Representative (Jimmie) Aycock prohibits a city from paying more than the contracted amount to a current employee or a terminated employee unless the city has an open public meeting regarding the matter and states at the hearing why the payment is being made
the exact amount and the source of the payment.”
but contained in the text of House Bill 483
the public hearing to allot extra funds that were not under contract prior to being performed must also “maintain the public purpose to be served by making the excess payment.”
<a href="https://ad.doubleclick.net/ddm/trackclk/N292401.5508840THEEXAMINERTX/B32645071.406570243;dc_trk_aid=598556927;dc_trk_cid=224215127;dc_lat=;dc_rdid=;tag_for_child_directed_treatment=;tfua=;gdpr=${GDPR};gdpr_consent=${GDPR_CONSENT_755};ltd=;dc_tdv=1"></a> 
<a href="https://publisher.etype.services/Beaumont-Examiner"></a>
local news has kept our communities informed and engaged
and its demise strains the fabric of our society
The Examiner with each and every issue informs
it is expensive yet essential to maintain a free society
Mostly law professors | Sometimes contrarian | Often libertarian | Always independent
The first Trump administration lost most of these cases because it ran afoul of constitutional limits on federal power and on executive power over the budget
Thanks to a series of Supreme Court decisions (most written by conservative justices)
the federal government cannot simply commandeer state and local authorities into helping enforce federal law
it can try to use financial incentives to secure such assistance
But any such conditions on federal grants must
1) be enacted and clearly indicated by Congress (the executive cannot make up its own grant conditions)
2) be related to the purposes of the grant in question (e.g
- grants for health care or education cannot be conditioned on immigration enforcement)
Virtually all of Trump's first-term efforts to pressure sanctuary jurisdictions ran afoul of one or more of these constitutional constraints. I went over the details in <a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3347171">my article</a>
Whether his second-term efforts fare any better remains to be seen
any effort to withhold all or nearly all grants from sanctuary jurisdictions is likely to violate the relatedness requirement and the admittedly vague rules against coercion
That would be true even if the new Republican-controlled Congress enacts such sweeping conditions by legislation
Such legislation could satisfy the need for congressional authorization
but not get around restrictions on relatedness and coercion
As<a href="https://thehill.com/opinion/immigration/381998-fight-over-sanctuary-cities-is-also-a-fight-over-federalism/"> I emphasized</a> in various writings during the first Trump administration
the issues at stake here go far beyond immigration policy
If the administration can make up its own new conditions for federal grants to state and local governments
it would severely undermine the separation of powers
allowing the executive to usurp Congress's spending power
given the dependence of state and local governments on federal funds
it would create a massive club that the executive could use to coerce states and localities on a vast range of issues
Conservatives who support such coercion when a GOP administration does it are unlikely to be happy when the same tools are utilized by a Democratic president to compel support for left-wing policies
And for those keeping score, I have <a href="https://www.theunpopulist.net/p/american-federalism-can-push-back">made similar points</a> in <a href="https://reason.com/volokh/2024/08/28/eighth-circuit-wrongly-struck-down-missouris-gun-sanctuary-law-but-also-created-a-roadmap-for-how-such-laws-can-escape-invalidation-in-the-future/">defense of conservative "gun sanctuaries,"</a> which refuse to help the federal government enforce some federal gun laws
Get a daily brief of the most important stories and trends every weekday morning when you subscribe to Reason Roundup
<a href="https://reason.com/people/ilya-somin/"><a href="https://reason.com/people/ilya-somin/">Ilya Somin</a></a> is Professor of Law at George Mason University, and author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0190054581/">Free to Move: Foot Voting, Migration, and Political Freedom</a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Democracy-Political-Ignorance-Smaller-Government/dp/0804799318/">Democracy and Political Ignorance: Why Smaller Government is Smarter</a>
&#916;document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value"
Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. <a href="https://spectrumlocalnews.com/app">Learn More</a>
As political pressure continues to mount against Mayor Eric Adams to resign
Kathy Hochul could be the deciding voice within the coming weeks
She could be considering employing a little-used power that permits her to remove elected officials from office
“This is a very serious matter unfolding,” she said during a Thursday event in upstate New York: her initial reaction to the five count criminal indictment faced by Adams
after reading the allegations that he took bribes and illegal campaign contributions
she said in a statement late Thursday: “This indictment is the latest in a disturbing pattern of events that has
contributed to a sense of unease among many New Yorkers.”
“New Yorkers deserve to know that their municipal government is working effectively
ethically and in the best interests of the people —driving down crime
educating our kids and ensuring basic city services continue unabated
It’s now up to Mayor Adams to show the City that he is able to lead in that manner.”
But Hochul also has some choices of her own to make
“Governors in the early 20th century were surprisingly quick to remove officials from New York City,” said Terry Golway
a professor at the College of Staten Island
Under broad powers cited in the state Constitution and separately
the governor has the ability to remove the mayor
Hochul would need to tell Adams what he’s been charged with
give him an opportunity to respond and then a question-and-answer trial period would ensue
New York saw that play out in 1932 with then-Mayor Jimmy Walker and then-Gov
“Jimmy Walker was a creature of Tammany Hall,” Golway said
“So if you look at what was going on in August and September of 1932
people are saying: ‘What is this guy going to do?’” Golway said of the choice faced by Roosevelt
“And what does it tell us about [Roosevelt] if he does X or if he does Y
Walker resolved that himself by resigning on Sept
Hochul might not be ready to tip the scales against the mayor
On the state end: neither of the top Black legislative leaders
State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins
nor state Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie have commented on the charges
I think it is something that she must consider
this really is in Eric Adams’ hands as well
He can make the decision to resign at any point,” Queens Democratic Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani said
Mamdani is also considering a run for mayor against Adams
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer nor U.S
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has called on Adams to step down
“Look at the time he has already spent today in court
That is time he cannot spend leading a city of 8.3 million people
a municipal workforce of 300,000 people and on a budget of more than $100 million,” Mamdani said
Adams pleaded not guilty to all charges on Friday and is due back in court on Oct
After years of false hope for Atlanta preservationists and downtown boosters
a development team has been picked to lead the transformation of a historic but ailing landmark building and inject the Five Points area with a significant amount of new housing
intends to ink a deal with Wisconsin-based affordable housing developer Gorman &amp; Company to turn the Atlanta Constitution Building property at 143 Alabama St
That will include a new mid-rise apartment building rising from a parking lot along Ted Turner Drive, between Five Points and the under-construction <a href="https://atlanta.urbanize.city/tags/centennial-yards" target="_blank" rel=" noopener">Centennial Yards</a> megaproject
according to plans outlined by Invest Atlanta
2 deadline for developers to respond to a Request for Proposals regarding the city-owned
architectural landmark across the street from MARTA’s Five Points station that’s stood mostly vacant since before Jimmy Carter was president
That RFP repeatedly stated a redevelopment team must be capable of making significant progress on the Atlanta Constitution Building’s renovation prior to the start of Atlanta’s month of World Cup matches beginning in June 2026
Invest Atlanta now plans to enter a long-term lease and master-development agreement with Gorman &amp; Company for the Alabama Street property and adjacent parcels
Prior to millions of World Cup fans descending upon Atlanta for eight scheduled matches
Invest Atlanta is calling for the Atlanta Constitution Building to stabilized
and first and second floors activated for World Cup-related events and retail
Other changes planned for the first phase call for the addition of digital signage and activation of the site’s existing surface parking lots
Gorman’s plans call for 197 apartments total across two phases
the first being adaptive-reuse of the existing Alabama Street building and the second construction of a new structure next door
Only seven of the units would rent at market-rate
and the rest would be capped at between 30 and 80 percent of the area median income monthly
More than half of the apartments would be one-bedroom units
Invest Atlanta's timeline calls for finalizing the building’s design and financial plan in May next year—and for phase-one construction to span between that month and May 2026
ending roughly a month before FIFA World Cup matches begin.&nbsp;
Construction on the second part of phase one—the conversion of existing spaces to residential units—would span between January 2026 and March the following year
the month after Atlanta’s World Cup matches conclude
construction on the new building is scheduled to begin
A rare example of Art Moderne-style architecture in the city
95,000-square-foot structure was built in 1947 for the&nbsp;Atlanta Constitution&nbsp;newspaper
a predecessor to today’s&nbsp;Atlanta Journal-Constitution
but that operation&nbsp;moved out after just a few years
Georgia Power moved in around 1953 but was gone in the early 1970s
metal shields were placed over windows to prevent homeless encampments
Companies that responded to the RFP were evaluated on their financial capacity
Invest Atlanta officials pointed to Gorman’s swifter
in-house design capabilities and 40 years of experience in “downtown revitalization
and preservation of affordable housing projects” as selling points
Financial details of the deal weren’t specified
the evaluation indicated that the team was extremely confident that the recommended developer [Gorman] possesses the knowledge and expertise to successfully perform the scope of work described,” notes an Invest Atlanta summary
“[Gorman also] proposed the most advantageous offer or deal structure as a financial partner in the redevelopment.”
Invest Atlanta’s quest to remake the landmark building has made headlines before
a new era for the Atlanta Constitution Building appeared to be dawning
as Invest Atlanta agreed to sell the property to developer Pope &amp; Land
with Place Properties on board to erect a new residential building next door—a scheme not dissimilar to what Gorman is now proposing
those earlier plans called for completing $24 million worth of construction in 2021
Find a closer look at plans for the property's revitalization and other details below:&nbsp;
<a href="https://twitter.com/UrbanizeATL" target="_blank" rel=" noopener">Twitter</a>&nbsp;/&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/UrbanizeATL" target="_blank" rel=" noopener">Facebook</a>/and now:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/urbanizeatlanta_/" target="_blank" rel=" noopener">Instagram</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
•&nbsp;<a href="https://atlanta.urbanize.city/neighborhood/downtown-0" target="_blank" rel=" noopener">Downtown news, discussion</a>&nbsp;(Urbanize Atlanta)
pictured here in last week&#x27;s Non-Public B semifinal against DePaul
rushed for a season-high 155 yards in Thursday&#x27;s Thanksgiving clash with rival Atlantic City.Nhemie Theodore | For NJ Advance Media
.st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By <a class="byline__authorLink" href="https://www.nj.com/staff/kminnick/posts.html" title="Kevin Minnick at NJ Advance Media for NJ.com">Kevin Minnick | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com</a>Coming off a disappointing loss in the Non-Public B state semifinals
Holy Spirit still had something to play for Thursday
the Spartans bounced back to end their season on a positive note
Emir Hicks and Jahcere Ward combined to rush for 228 yards and three touchdowns as Holy Spirit
The win was the seventh straight in the long-running Thanksgiving Day rivalry and gives the Spartans the WJFL Constitution title
Atlantic City still holds a 52-40-4 advantage in the all-time series
“Having a short week is the best thing for you coming off a tough loss
There’s no time to dwell on it,” said third-year Holy Spirit coach Andrew DiPasquale
We were able to do that - refocus on Monday and have a good week of practice
“We had an idea of what the weather was going to be; we weren’t worried about the weather
The kids made the most of it and had a good time.”
Holy Spirit (10-2) scored 37 unanswered points after Jeremiah Williams returned a fumble for a touchdown on the second play of the game
The Spartans would go on to score on their first three possessions and add a Mason Forte 22-yard field goal just before the break for a 23-8 halftime lead
rushed for 73 yards and two scores against rival Atlantc City on Thursday.Dave Hernandez | For NJ Advance 
Ty Costabile opened the Holy Spirit scoring with a 6-yard TD run
while Hicks scored on a 55-yard burst up the middle following Colt Calhoun’s fumble recovery with just over two minutes left in the opening quarter
A strip sack by Jackson Broschard on Atlantic City’s second possession of the third quarter led to a 38-yard TD pass from Costabile to Emanuel Gerena with 6:05 left
“This is the most fun I’ve ever had playing football
It was the best way to end things,” Broschard said
Hicks closed out the scoring with a 7-yard TD run at the 10:26 mark of the fourth quarter
rushing for a season-high 155 yards on 24 carries
Costabile was 6-of-18 passing for 126 yards - three passes going to Gerena for 57 yards
which reached the Central Jersey Group 5 final - its first sectional final since 1999 - was limited to 154 yards of total offense
Khajuan “Peaky” Roseborough had 55 yards on four carries
while freshman Marvin Burroughs completed 5-of-15 passes for 54 yards as one of three quarterbacks used on the day
sporting green jerseys for the annual clash
The Spartans improved to 28-6 under DiPasquale
winning 10 games for the first time since they finished 11-1 and reached the Non-Public B Group 2 state final in 2013
“Our goal every year is to win a state championship
but great things happened throughout the year
These seniors are a great group of kids and I’m happy they got to end it the way they did.”
The N.J. High School Sports newsletter now appearing in mailboxes 5 days a week. Sign up now and be among the first to get all the boys and girls sports you care about, straight to your inbox each weekday. To add your name, <a href="https://cb.sailthru.com/s/6fj/Newsletter_hs_sports">click here</a>
Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting <a href="https://www.nj.com/">NJ.com</a> with a subscription
Kevin Minnick covers the West Jersey Football League. He can be reached at <a href="mailto:kminnick@njadvancemedia.com">kminnick@njadvancemedia.com</a>. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) <a href="https://twitter.com/kminnicksports?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor">@kminnicksports</a>
Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our <a href="https://www.nj.com/user-agreement/">User Agreement</a>, (updated 8/1/2024) and acknowledgement of our <a href="https://www.nj.com/privacy-policy/">Privacy Policy</a>,  and <a href="https://www.nj.com/privacy-policy/#rights_top">Your Privacy Choices and Rights</a>  (updated 1/1/2025)
© 2025 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (<a href="https://www.njadvancemedia.com/us/">About Us</a>)
The material on this site may not be reproduced
except with the prior written permission of Advance Local
<a href="https://www.nj.com/communityrules/">Community Rules</a> apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site
YouTube&#x27;s privacy policy is available <a href="https://policies.google.com/privacy" rel="nofollow" title="YouTube Privacy Policy" lang="en">here</a> and YouTube&#x27;s terms of service is available <a href="https://www.youtube.com/t/terms" rel="nofollow" title="YouTube Terms of Service" lang="en">here</a>
<a href="https://www.nj.com/privacy-policy/#oba_top">Ad Choices</a>
2024)&mdash;Philadelphia Historic District partners gear up for the first-ever Red
commemorating a day of &ldquo;pomp and parade,&rdquo; as declared by John Adams in 1776
encouraging visitors to celebrate independence in the place where it all began
A vibrant display of patriotic celebration
&amp; Blue To-Do will bring together museums
and local businesses in America&rsquo;s most historic square mile to honor our nation&rsquo;s founding
This monumental occasion promises to be a memorable experience for all
extended visitation hours at area historic attractions
&ldquo;In what is certain to be a tradition for years to come
visitors to Philadelphia&rsquo;s Historic District on July 2 will have the opportunity to experience the rich history of our area&rsquo;s landmarks and institutions and the vibrant culture of our community,&rdquo; said Vince Stango
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the National Constitution Center
&ldquo;The confluence of these two will provide an unparalleled display of festivities and fun for all who come out to celebrate with us.&rdquo;
&amp; Blue To-Do is a true partnership where Historic District cultural institutions and attractions have come together to create a meaningful and fun experience for Philadelphians and visitors from around the region and across the country
It is exciting to create this inaugural event and look toward more celebrations in the future,&rdquo; said Amy Needle
President and CEO of Historic Philadelphia
&ldquo;We know that visitors will have an easy time navigating all of the treasures here with so much to see
The public is encouraged to sign up to participate in the Red, White, &amp; Blue To-Do Pomp &amp; Parade. (<a href="https://14948p.blackbaudhosting.com/14948p/page.aspx?pid=196&amp;tab=2&amp;txobjid=5df0c9b5-571f-4314-a602-e86a2ef98e2b" target="_blank">Pre-registration to march in the Pomp &amp; Parade is required</a>
but everyone is invited to watch along the parade route.)
To prepare for this historic celebration, Wagon Decorating will take place at the National Constitution Center, free and open to the public. Anyone can help create one of the official wagon &ldquo;floats&rdquo; for the Red, White, &amp; Blue To-Do Pomp &amp; Parade, but space is limited and <a href="https://14948p.blackbaudhosting.com/14948p/page.aspx?pid=196&amp;tab=2&amp;txobjid=4760439e-3916-413e-a1c5-dc93dd17d3ca" target="_blank">advanced registration is encouraged</a>
&amp; Blue To-Do Decorating Days from June 29 -July 1
Decoration Stations will be available at each of the Philadelphia Historic District attractions and partner organizations for visitors to festoon themselves for the parade
The District itself will get a boost of bunting
and begonias to bring a festive atmosphere throughout Independence Week
&amp; Blue To-Do Schedule of Events &ndash; Tuesday
Special thanks to The Weitzman Museum&rsquo;s Director of Public Programs
for creating this diverse representation of communities that enrich our city and nation
For updated schedules and participating attractions, visit <a href="https://www.phlvisitorcenter.com/red-white-blue-to-do-philadelphia-pa" target="_blank">phlvisitorcenter.com/red-white-blue-to-do-philadelphia-pa</a>
A variety of cultural and historical sites will participate in the Red
Neighborhood restaurants will be showing off their red
and blue spirit as well with a variety of discounts
For a complete list of restaurants and their offered specials, visit <a href="http://www.oldcitydistrict.org/" target="_blank">oldcitydistrict.org</a>
&amp; Blue To-Do has received support from the Funder Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial
John Adams thought July 2 should be marked as a national holiday for generations to come: &ldquo;The Second Day of July 1776
I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated
as the great anniversary Festival&hellip;It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade with shews
Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this continent to the other from this Time forward forever more,&rdquo; Adams wrote to his wife
The Declaration of Independence was signed by representatives from the Colonies two days later
Photos courtesy of the National Constitution Center. For high-resolution images, visit the press room at <a href="https://bit.ly/RWBTD_PressKit" target="_blank">https://bit.ly/RWBTD_PressKit</a>.
Engage in deep thinking and analysis of the Constitution and America’s founding principles.
Search and browse videos, podcasts, and blog posts on constitutional topics.
Discover primary texts and historical documents that span American history and have shaped the American constitutional tradition.
© 2025 National Constitution Center. All Rights Reserved.
Act Now: The dog meat trade is not only cruel and unnecessary, but is also linked to the spread of diseases.
More Than a Pet: Help keep people and pets together.
A Humane World: A first-hand account of our ongoing efforts to protect animals, as told by our president and CEO,&nbsp;Kitty Block.
Sign the petition</a> urging the new legislature to grant constitutional protection to animals
© 2025 Humane World for Animals is registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Contributions to the Humane World for Animals are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law
The Humane World for Animals tax identification number is 53-0225390
It is an official holiday that is celebrated with children&#039;s parades both small and large
Everyone is more than welcome to join the celebration
so bring a Norwegian flag and join the fun
Norway declared independence as a kingdom with the constitution that was signed 17 May in 1814
The constitution was an attempt to avoid being ceased by Sweden after the defeat of Denmark-Norway in the Napoleonic Wars
The plan did not succeed and in August 1814 the Union between Sweden and Norway was a fact
the 17 May continued to be celebrated sporadically in various parts of the country
The Union with Sweden was dissolved in 1905 and Prince Carl of Denmark was chosen to be King of an independent Norway
The biggest parade takes place in Oslo city centre
and includes pupils from over 120 schools accompanied by marching brass bands
The parade marches through the city centre and past the Royal Palace
where they are greeted by the Royal Family
Only children are allowed to join the parade
and participation must be administered by their school
but they will all play the national anthem: Ja
but keep in mind that the lyrics are difficult to get right even for native speakers
It is common to start the celebration with a festive breakfast with friends and family
and then watch the parade in the city center
the local schools extend a warm invitation to all residents to take part in an afternoon of delightful games and entertainment on the school grounds
They usually sell refreshments such as sausages
We encourage everyone to share in the joy of celebrating and feel the celebration in your community
Information about the time for celebrations at the school is usually shared on posters in the neighborhood or on the school&#39;s website
<a href="https://www.oslo.kommune.no/17th-of-may/">Read the official programme for the celebration in Oslo</a>
People dress in their finest clothes for 17 May
You will see people wearing dresses and suits
The Norwegian bunad is a traditional folk costume worn by men and women
Wearing a bunad is a way to showcase your heritage and cultural identity
and it is a beloved tradition that has been passed down through generations
There are many local variations from different parts of the country
and there is a lot of tradition and handicraft behind it
People are generally very happy to tell you where their bunad is from
It has also become very popular to make your own bunad
thousands of people in Oslo proudly wear their bunads
<a href="https://www.oslo.kommune.no/english/welcome-to-oslo/norwegian-society/cultural-building-blocks/bunad/">Read more about the bunad tradition</a>
Popular breakfast items are scrambled eggs
It is said that on this day the kids are allowed as many ice creams as they want
The traditional sour cream porridge (Rømmegrøt) and cured meat are very popular around the country
If you plan to eat out in a resturant for lunch or dinner
you should definitley book a table in advance
The Norwegian tradition known as &quot;Russ&quot; is a rite of passage for high school students who are about to complete their final exams
the graduating students from upper secondary schools are Russ
where they celebrate that they finish 13 years of school
You can recognize them by their red or blue overalls or pants
The Russ tradition involves a series of activities and challenges
such as driving around in specially decorated vans or buses
They will all have personal cards &ldquo;russekort&rdquo; that they hand out to their friends family and the kids
even if they do not always have kid-friendly content
You can often hear the russbuses driving arround the city playing loud music
both cherished and highly discussed aspect of Norwegian culture that has been celebrated for over a century
Despite its reputation for rowdiness and excess
the Russ tradition is also a way for young people to bond with their classmates and create lasting memories before they move on to the next phase of their lives.