Supreme Court Decides Ysursa v. Pocatello Education Association

On February 24, 2009 the Supreme Court decided Ysursa v. Pocatello Education Association, No. 07-869.

The court addressed an Idaho law that allows public employees to authorize payroll deductions for general union dues but not for union political activities. The court held that the ban on political payroll deductions (specifically with respect to local governmental units) does not violate the First Amendment because the government is not required to subsidize speech and it is rational for Idaho to want to separate governmental operations from partisan politics. Chief Justice Roberts delivered the opinion of the court. Justice Ginsburg filed a concurring opinion. Justice Breyer filed an opinion concurring in part and dissenting in part. Justices Stevens and Souter filed dissenting opinions.