Supremes start week with orders, a decision and a hold
There are no oral arguments this week, but it was a busy morning at the Supreme Court just the same.
Today the Court ruled that New Jersey could bring a lawsuit against its neighbor, Delaware, directly in the Supreme Court. The suit involves a dispute over Delaware’s plan to build a docking station for natural gas tankers along the Delaware River, which serves as a border between the two states. (New Jersey v. Delaware, No. 134-Orig.) SCOTUSBlog has the opinion here. (PDF file)
The Court granted two certs, agreeing to consider whether private citizens can erect religious displays in public parks in Pleasant Grove City v. Summum (No. 07-665).
It also agreed to consider whether a ban on payroll deductions for political activities is unconstitutional in Yusursa v. Pocatello (No. 07-869).
The Court also refused to step into a legal fight between the Justice Department and a member of Congress who has been indicted on bribery charges.
Meanwhile, Justice Anthony Kennedy put a hold on a federal court’s decision ordering the release on parole of Fred McCullough, who was convicted of second-degree murder in Los Angeles in 1983, a move that drew praise from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
