One To Watch…And What’s In A Name?

Here’s why the addition of Roberts and Alito to the Supreme Court matters, lower profile but far reaching cases like this public employee union dues issue (Ed Week$ here) that could really clobber the teachers’ unions. At issue is basically whether a positive check-off –meaning members have to affirmatively approve it not just file papers saying no — for dues money being used for political purposes can be required by state law. The SCOTUS taking the case is not a good sign for the teachers’ unions nor is the court’s current line-up. Obvious backdrop should the court uphold the Washington State law: How many state legislative chambers are controlled by Republicans now. In the same vein, if the court upholds the WA law, look for a national campaign around some snazzy “death tax” sounding phrase to pass WA-style laws.