Podcast appearances and mentions of mark janus

Mark Janus is a Senior Fellow at the Liberty Justice Center, where he serves as an advocate and spokesperson for workers' rights. Mark spent the last 11 years of his career as a child support specialist for the Illinois state government, ensuring that children get all the resources to which they are entitled. It was during that time that Mark courageously took on one of the most powerful political forces in the country: the public employee unions as the lead plaintiff in Janus v. AFSCME. Mark fought for his First Amendment rights – and the rights of more than 5 million other government workers – all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Mark's bravery resulted in the single greatest victory for First Amendment rights in a generation. Over the years Mark had a career in both the private sector and in government. Having previously served in Illinois state government in the 1980s, it was when he returned to the state in 2007 that he learned Illinois politicians had granted AFSCME — a politically powerful government union — the power to exclusively represent more than 90 percent of state workers in Illinois. This type of injustice went on for decades all across the country and affected millions of public workers. That is, until Mark stood up and fought to stop it. Now, Mark serves as a leader spreading the message of worker freedom through his personal story. Mark has been and will continue to be a tremendous advocate for government workers. https://libertyjusticecenter.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Constitutional attorney Jeffrey Schwab from the Liberty Justice Center joins Labor Relations Radio to discuss a newly-filed case that, if successful, may open governments up to being “joint employers” with certain private-sector employers.Schwab, who is not a labor attorney, served as counsel for Mark Janus in Janus v. AFSCME, the landmark case in which the United States Supreme Court found that public employees could not be compelled to pay money to a union without their consent.In this most recent case, Schwab is representing two public defenders who work for the publicly-funded Legal Aid Society in New York City and are required to pay agency fees to the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (ALAA).The plaintiffs argue that, even though the Legal Aid Society is a private employer under the National Labor Relations Act, since the City of New York funds the pay and benefits and “attaches conditions that, at least in part, exert control over how LAS spends funds received by the City, including, for example, approving bonuses,” the protections under Janus v. AFSCME from being compelled to pay agency fees to a union should apply to them as well.Related: * Will A Lawsuit Over A Union's Alleged 'Anti-Semitism' Open The Door To Expanding Janus To The Private Sector?* Legal Aid lawyers sue union, claiming that dues violate First Amendment* Read the lawsuit in full hereFor all prior episodes of Labor Relations Radio, go here.LaborUnionNews.com's Labor Relations Radio is subscriber-supported. To receive new posts and support our work, become a subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laborunionnews.substack.com/subscribe

Will a new lawsuit filed by NLRA-covered attorneys open Janus up to certain private-sector employers to being 'joint employers' with governments who use contractors? It depends.Constitutional attorney Jeffrey Schwab from the Liberty Justice Center joins Labor Relations Radio to discuss a newly-filed case that, if successful, may open governments up to being “joint employers” with certain private-sector employers.Schwab, who is not a labor attorney, served as counsel for Mark Janus in Janus v. AFSCME, the landmark case in which the United States Supreme Court found that public employees could not be compelled to pay money to a union without their consent.In this most recent case, Schwab is representing two public defenders who work for the publicly-funded Legal Aid Society in New York City and are required to pay agency fees to the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (ALAA).The plaintiffs argue that, even though the Legal Aid Society is a private employer under the National Labor Relations Act, since the City of New York funds the pay and benefits and “attaches conditions that, at least in part, exert control over how LAS spends funds received by the City, including, for example, approving bonuses,” the protections under Janus v. AFSCME from being compelled to pay agency fees to a union should apply to them as well.Related:Will A Lawsuit Over A Union's Alleged 'Anti-Semitism' Open The Door To Expanding Janus To The Private Sector?Legal Aid lawyers sue union, claiming that dues violate First AmendmentRead the lawsuit in full here__________________________LaborUnionNews.com's Labor Relations Radio is a subscriber-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a subscriber here.

HOUR 1Extreme heat in Southern Europe affecting tourism / (MB) https://www.morningbrew.com/daily/stories/2023/07/18/heat-threatens-to-upend-european-tourism?Phoenix break 1974 heat record / (NYT) https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/18/us/phoenix-heat-record.html?Illegal border crossings into U.S. by asylum seekers is down / (NPR) https://www.npr.org/2023/07/19/1188438846/illegal-border-crossings-are-down-one-big-reason-why-is-now-part-of-a-court-fighErick  Cordero Giorgana discusses the Alaska Policy Forum's Mark Janus event in Wasilla tonight at 6 PM /  Register at https://wfwasilla.eventbrite.comExperts warn Artificial Intelligence is a threat to society and human extinction / (FOX News) https://www.foxnews.com/politics/ai-prodigy-warns-lawmakers-chinas-ambitions-chinas-apollo-projectHOUR 2Why did the U.S. soldier cross into the North Korean demilitarized zone / (CBS News) https://www.cbsnews.com/video/us-soldier-detained-in-north-korea-was-facing-disciplinary-actions-officials-say/Anchorage Assembly leadership is requesting Mayor Dave Bronson's administration answer questions regarding an April 4 Election complaint filed by a former member of his administration / (ADN) https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2023/07/19/assembly-hold-work-session-regarding-challenge-anchorage-election/Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., of the House Armed Services Committee details how China threatens higher education and technology advancements in the U.S. on ‘America Reports.' / (FOX News) https://www.foxnews.com/politics/john-kerry-comes-up-empty-china-climate-talksTom overviews how China is a threat "Emails show a top city director emailed Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson's former chief of staff a newly created internal security policy, hours before she used it to challenge the city's April 4 election." / (ADN) https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/anchorage/2023/07/18/anchorage-it-director-emailed-mayor-bronsons-former-top-aide-a-newly-crafted-internal-policy-she-then-used-to-challenge-election/Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan said Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville's holds on military promotions are his “right,” and called for compromise to resolve the blockade / (ADN) https://www.adn.com/politics/2023/07/18/sullivan-says-alabama-senator-has-the-right-to-hold-up-military-promotions-over-abortion-policy/

It has been five years since the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Janus v. AFSCME, where the Court held it violated the First Amendment for unions to compel government workers to subsidize them. But what led to the case? What were its consequences? What was it like to argue before the Justices? Bill Messenger — vice president and legal director for National Right to Work and one of the nation's foremost labor advocates — represented plaintiff Mark Janus. He shares his insights and his thoughts about the “next frontier” in the fight to protect free speech against politicized unions. Learn more about National Right to Work here.   

Five years ago, on June 27, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court justices issued a landmark ruling that forever freed government workers from having to pay forced union fees as a condition of their employment. Join Mailee Smith, senior director of labor policy and staff attorney for the Illinois Policy Institute; Jacob Huebert, president of the Liberty Justice Center and co-counsel of the lawsuit; and Mark Janus, plaintiff and former Illinois state worker, in commemorating the anniversary of this victory.

On this week's conversation Paul talks to Daniel Suhr an attorney with the Liberty Justice Center, a conservative public interest law firm. The firm is best known for representing Mark Janus in the landmark Janus v. AFSCME Supreme Court case.    Currently the Liberty Justice Center is representing the Rio Grande Foundation on two important cases. One deals with Albuquerque City Council "donating" your tax dollars to Planned Parenthood. The other lawsuit is against NM's Secretary of State and rules that limit free speech.   

The Idiots talk travel with Mark Janus, from Janus Travel. Ted is damaged goods.

Share this episode of Labor Relations Radio.Background: On June 27, 2018, the United States Supreme Court issued a decision that affects the rights of public-sector employees across the country. The decision, Janus v. AFSCME, Council 31, involved a public employee, Mark Janus, who declined to join a union but was nevertheless required under a union contract to pay union fees, sometimes referred to as “agency fees” or “fair share fees.” For years, these compulsory union fees were considered legal.The Supreme Court’s decision in Janus was clear; compulsory union fees are now unconstitutional.The Fairness Center is a law firm that provides free legal services to those hurt by public-sector union officials and are representing an individual, Glen Wilkofsky, in a Janus-related case that may have far farther-reaching ramifications.In this episode of Labor Relations Radio, the Fairness Center’s Nathan J. McGrath, President and General Counsel at the Fairness Center, discusses the Allentown Symphony case, as well as several others.As the Fairness Center’s President and General Counsel, Mr. McGrath oversees the firm’s general operations and litigation to advance the Fairness Center’s clients’ best interests. Mr. McGrath is also a Pennsylvania Advisory Committee Member with the United States Commission on Civil Rights. Prior to joining the Fairness Center, Nathan was a staff attorney with the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, Inc., where he practiced constitutional, labor, and administrative law. Nathan was also an associate attorney with Lawlor & Lawlor, P.C., a general practice firm in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.Related Links:In a case that could be destined for the Supreme Court, Allentown Symphony musician says he shouldn’t have to pay union dues to performFeatured Cases of the Fairness CenterContact the Fairness CenterDonate to the Fairness CenterFor past episodes of Labor Relations Radio, go here.LaborUnionNews.com's News Digest, as well as Labor Relations Radio are reader-supported publications. To receive new posts, podcasts and support our work, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. Get full access to LaborUnionNews.com's News Digest at laborunionnews.substack.com/subscribe

Background: On June 27, 2018, the United States Supreme Court issued a decision that affects the rights of public-sector employees across the country. The decision, Janus v. AFSCME, Council 31, involved a public employee, Mark Janus, who declined to join a union but was nevertheless required under a union contract to pay union fees, sometimes referred to as “agency fees” or “fair share fees.” For years, these compulsory union fees were considered legal.The Supreme Court's decision in Janus was clear; compulsory union fees are now unconstitutional.The Fairness Center is a law firm that provides free legal services to those hurt by public-sector union officials and are representing an individual, Glen Wilkofsky, in a Janus-related case that may have far farther-reaching ramifications.In this episode of Labor Relations Radio, the Fairness Center's Nathan J. McGrath, President and General Counsel at the Fairness Center, discusses the Allentown Symphony case, as well as several others.As the Fairness Center's President and General Counsel, Mr. McGrath oversees the firm's general operations and litigation to advance the Fairness Center's clients' best interests. Mr. McGrath is also a Pennsylvania Advisory Committee Member with the United States Commission on Civil Rights. Prior to joining the Fairness Center, Nathan was a staff attorney with the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, Inc., where he practiced constitutional, labor, and administrative law. Nathan was also an associate attorney with Lawlor & Lawlor, P.C., a general practice firm in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.Related Links:In a case that could be destined for the Supreme Court, Allentown Symphony musician says he shouldn't have to pay union dues to performFeatured Cases of the Fairness CenterContact the Fairness CenterDonate to the Fairness CenterFor past episodes of Labor Relations Radio, go here.

Mark Janus was a public sector employee who became the unlikely namesake of an iconic Supreme Court case, where the Court ruled that private unions cannot force dues on non-members. But what do unions have to do with religious liberty? It hinges on something we call “coercion laundering.”

In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court made a groundbreaking decision in support of First Amendment rights: It ruled that government-sector unions are not allowed to force public-sector workers into paying dues or “agency fees” against their will.   Mark Janus was the government sector employee who stood up to one of the nation's largest and most powerful public-sector unions and brought the lawsuit. His assertion was simple: No union should be able to force workers to financially support organizations, causes or political activity with which they disagree.   Mark joined the program this week to talk about how his groundbreaking court case unfolded—and what's next for ensuring the freedom of workers across the nation.  

In this episode of CTN with Jay Shakur I had the opportunity to speak with Mark Janus of the landmark Janus v. AFSCME supreme court case. We discuss his intent and his journey to the supreme court. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/jay-shakur/message

Calls to defund police departments across the country gain traction. Alex Vitale, the author of The End of Policing and a professor of Sociology at Brooklyn College, has been making the media rounds making the case for divesting from policing and reinvesting in our communities. While defunding the police is freaking out failed state extremists on the right, we’ll talk a little about what defunding the police actually means. When you consider the U.S. police budget is bigger than nearly every other nation’s military budget - $115 billion - you begin to see the kind of funding we’ve channeled to police while cutting community investment.  And the statues came tumbling down. Statues of Christopher Columbus, John Colston, slave traders, and confederate soldiers were toppled all over the US this week. And, and, and...even NASCAR has outlawed the confederate flag.  Go get your shine box because all three NYPD cop unions went on a media blitz this week asking Trump to bring in the troops to stop the peaceful protesting. And they were also advertising that these white cops are willing to be Trump's fascist street fighters in order to suppress the Black Lives Matter movement and protect the Trump regime. Trump announces a return to in-person mega rallies. The first will be held in Tulsa, OK on June 19th. That’s right, Trump’s first rally since the COVID-19 quarantine is being held on Juneteenth - the holiday to commemorate the day the Emancipation Proclamation was read out in Texas to newly freed black Americans. Texas was the last Confederate state to announce the proclamation. This year is the 99th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre in which white mobs burned and looted black-owned businesses on Tulsa’s Black Wall Street. Over 6,000 black Americans were hospitalized and at least 36 people were killed. What do you think the chances are that Trump chose that city on that day so that he could offer a message of racial reconciliation? Chicago police were caught on tape lounging around U.S. Representative Bobby Rush’s district office as the streets outside the office were being looted and damaged. At least 13 officers were caught making popcorn, brewing coffee, taking naps, and lounging with feet up on desks. Oh, did I mention they did not have Rush’s permission to be in Rush’s office? He only found out after he got a notice of a break into his office. The security tape revealed the truth. Bobby Rush was co-founded the Illinois chapter of the Black Panthers in the 60s and had to go into hiding after Chicago police assassinated Fred Hampton. Coincidence, huh?  Activists declare an autonomous zone in a six-block area in the Capitol Hill neighborhood in Seattle, declaring it a “no-cop zone.” Trump looks to be gearing up to militarize the repression, calling the activists “domestic terrorists.” Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan tells Trump to “go back to your bunker,” even as she faces calls by activists for her resignation.  Remember Janus? You know, that Supreme Court decision that took aim at gutting public-sector union? Yeah, well, the guy who brought the suit, Mark Janus, now works for the right-wing Liberty Justice Center, and he’s got a new case moving through the courts. This time, Janus wants public-sector unions to make the Court’s 2018 Janus decision retroactive, forcing public-sector unions to refund millions of dollars of fair-share fees collected before the 2018 decision. The Court will decide next week if it will hear the case.  And today is the 4th anniversary of the mass shooting at the Pulse Night Club in Orlando. 49 people were killed and 53 were wounded. The shooting stands as the deadliest attack against the LGBT community in U.S. history.   And yet another sober memorial. Medgar Evers was assassinated on this day in 1963 by a member of the Ku Klux Klan.  While large Black Lives Matter protests in Pennsylvania’s large cities made national news, this past week saw more than 100 protests in at least 61 of the state’s 67 counties.  The Pennsylvania House Legislative Black Caucus pulled a coup at the start of the session on Monday. They took over the House Speaker’s rostrum out of protest and shared their feelings on the House Republicans’ inaction on police reform since Antwon Rose was murdered by an East Pittsburgh cop. Turzai promised the Black Caucus a special session to combat police violence, but... Speaker Turzai announced he was resigning on Wednesday and while failing to follow through on his promise of a special session. However, the House Judiciary Committee will meet next week to potentially vote some of these bills out of committee. PA State System of Higher Education’s Board of Governors announced plans to return to “some form of” face-to-face instruction in the fall. Chancellor Daniel Greenstein says that plans will be finalized in the coming weeks. Who’s making those plans? Based on what criteria? It would be good to know, right?  The Senate Armed Services Committee passed a bill on Wednesday that established a Space Force National Guard.  And, remember when we told you that the Space Force was seeking over 7,000 volunteers to transfer from their Air Force commission to the Space Force? Well, this week Space Force officials announced that they far exceeded expectations, More than 8,500 airmen and women volunteered to join the Space Force. Gen. John “Jay” Raymond, chief of space operations of the U.S. Space Force said the new volunteers “made the bold decision to volunteer to join the U.S. Space Force and defend the ultimate high ground.”  Speaking of the Space Force, did you check out Netflix’s Space Force? We’ll have a little breakdown.  Mahoney just finished Station Eleven, and it was freaking awesome. He’s on to rereading Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower, from her Earthseed series.  Free Will Brewing joins the wave of voices speaking on in support of the protests following the police murder of George “Perry” Floyd. They said, “In the past, we have always kept our message about beer and stayed out of social and political issues. We told ourselves we should only be judged by our actions.⁣ No more being quiet.⁣” We’ll have their full statement for you.  And the people have spoken and Free Will has responded - Safeword is back in stock, ready for pick up or shipping to your door. Safeword is an Imperial IPA w/ Mangoes & Habaneros coming in at a big 10.2% ABV. It’s one of my favorites. You can get 4 packs of Safeword and several other selections - including Haymaker Mead - at their online store https://freewillbrewing.store/. 

On this week's podcast Paul talks to Daniel Suhr, an attorney with the Liberty Justice Center.  LJC is a non-profit law firm that litigates against governments for overreach. They successfully represented Mark Janus at the US Supreme Court and won "Right to Work" (the ability to work for their employer without paying union dues or fees) for all government employees throughout the United States. Paul and Daniel discuss this decision and its future ramifications including cases the LJC is bringing around the country.   Then, Paul and Daniel discuss the Rio Grande Foundation's suit against New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver. The new suit involves free speech and efforts by organizations like the Rio Grande Foundation to engage in it without being unduly hindered and regulated. It is in some ways similar to the Foundation's ongoing suit against the City of Santa Fe.

As we look forward to a new year, Carolina Journal Radio reviews some of the most interesting topics from 2019. North Carolina’s system for funding public schools is broken. A more student-centered approach to funding could fix the problem. Terry Stoops, John Locke Foundation vice president for research and resident scholar, discusses recommendations from a new report that recommends a major overhaul of N.C. public education financing. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2018 that unions representing state government workers couldn’t force nonmembers to pay union dues. The winning plaintiff in that case, Mark Janus, continues his fight against forced unionization. Now a senior fellow with the Liberty Justice Center, Janus visited North Carolina this year to discuss his case and its aftermath. Most public school students advance from grade to grade with their same-age peers. But not all of them are ready for the academic challenges linked to the next grade level. That’s why some state lawmakers are pushing for study of a competency-based education system. You’ll hear details of their plan. The feminist movement has had an undeniable impact on the lives of women. Mona Charen, senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, says feminism has had a much-less-publicized effect on men. Charen explored the consequences of feminism during a recent presentation in North Carolina. North Carolina has one of the nation’s best laws limiting civil asset forfeiture abuse. But the state still could be open to problems if local law enforcement agencies circumvent that law when working with the federal government. Jon Guze, John Locke Foundation director of legal studies, discusses how other states have addressed the circumvention problem.

The 2020 election is almost here and Mike Bloomberg is spending $100M on Anti-Trump ads. We have exclusive information from the Hard Rock Hotel Collapse and we ask why the Mayor is so dead set on imploding the building.  Mark Janus is back in court once again trying to get his $3,000 in union dues back. We also have Chris, a Local 3 IBEW solar employee in studio. He worked for a company Bright Power, who fired him and the rest of his co-workers for joining a union. Plus Gary Jones is out as UAW President.

Charles Mitchell, who leads the Commonwealth Foundation in Pennsylvania, is worried about children's access to charter schools in the Keystone State. "Our governor has declared war on opportunity for Pennsylvania families," Mitchell says, referring to Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf. "He's issued 11 executive orders, the plain intent of which is to put the kibosh on charter schools."We also cover the following stories:Supreme Court plaintiff Mark Janus discusses workers' rights.Two impeachment hearings will occur today.Chick-fil-a makes a notable change in its charitable giving.The Daily Signal podcast is available on Ricochet,iTunes, Pippa, Google Play, or Stitcher. All of our podcasts can be found at DailySignal.com/podcasts. If you like what you hear, please leave a review. You can also leave us a message at 202-608-6205 or write us at letters@dailysignal.com. Enjoy the show! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

11/16/19 Episode 181 (Janus vs. AFSCME-Interview with US Supreme Court Plaintiff, Mark Janus-Part 2)

11/09/19 Episode 180: Janus vs. AFSCME-Interview with US Supreme Court Plaintiff, Mark Janus

On this week’s episode of Under the Dome the State Journal-Register’s Doug Finke and Bernard Schoenburg discuss the appeals court decision that says former state worker Mark Janus is not entitled to a refund of fair share fees he paid to the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, next phase of road improvements have begun on the Illinois State Fairgrounds, Illinois Sate Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, to introduce a bill to make Daylight Saving Time permanent, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd Karmeier announces he will retire next year and what’s coming up in the next round of the veto session. 

The "Janus case" was a major US Supreme Court decision about labor unions and government workers. Patrick Hughes from the Liberty Justice Center is the lawyer and won that case on behalf of Mark Janus. Hughes explains why he and the LJC believes many states and public sector unions are not complying with that ruling. He says they are not allowing workers to leave the union and are trying to force them to continue paying dues. Another round of lawsuits is underway. Hughes explains why those were filed.

Today's episode features a grab-bag of stories that have been making the rounds, including the recent ruling out of the Second Circuit regarding Donald Trump's use of Twitter, a setback for our buddy Brian Frosh's efforts to enforce the Emoluments Clauses of the Constitution, and an update on the real-word consequences of the Janus v. AFSCME decision we decry so much around here. We begin with the Second Circuit's ruling in Knight First Amendment Inst. v. Trump, which established that a government official may convert a social media platform such as Twitter into a "limited use public forum," from which he may not block users on the basis of the political content of their speech -- i.e., viewpoint discrimination. Almost no one understands this decision; we'll make sure you're one of the lucky ones who do! Then, it's time for a breakdown of the 4th Circuit's ruling in In re Trump, which directs the lower court to dismiss the lawsuit (and pending discovery) against Trump in the lawsuit brought by Maryland and D.C. alleging violations of the Foreign and Domestic Emoluments Clauses. Find out what this case is all about, whether the outcome is reasonable, and what's next. After that, it's time for a quick look at the real-world implications of the Janus v. AFSCME decision allowing public-sector union employees to withhold a portion of their dues otherwise allocated for administrative duties under... some crazy right-wing theory that something something something, because Sam Alito knows diminishing the power of unions will hurt Democrats. But what else did that decision do? Listen and find out! After all that, it's time for the most controversial #TTTBE yet, in which we discover the answer to Thomas Takes The Bar Exam (regarding larceny and robbery) ... or do we? You won't want to miss this one! Appearances Andrew was a guest on the latest episode of the Left at the Valley podcast discussing abortion, as well as the most recent episode of Mueller, She Wrote talking.. well, pretty much everything! Show Notes & Links Click here to read the Second Circuit's ruling in Knight First Amendment Inst. v. Trump (the Twitter case), and here to check out the Fourth Circuit's ruling in In Re Trump (the Emoluments case). We first covered the emoluments case way back in Episode 78, and we interviewed Seth Barrett Tillman for his unique take in Episode 35 and Episode 36. We learned that bad stuff was coming in the emoluments litigation in Episode 239 when the 4th Circuit issued a stay of all discovery; you can read that stay order here. Finally, click here to read the LA Progressive article on Mark Janus and his conservative activism. -Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/law -Follow us on Twitter:  @Openargs -Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/openargs/, and don’t forget the OA Facebook Community! -For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed!  @oawiki -And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com!

After months of controversy involving his job status, East Carolina University Chancellor Cecil Staton has announced his resignation. He’ll collect a severance package of nearly $600,000. Rick Henderson, Carolina Journal editor-in-chief, analyzes Staton’s decision and the implications for the University of North Carolina System’s Board of Governors. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled last year that unions representing state government workers couldn’t force nonmembers to pay union dues. The winning plaintiff in that case, Mark Janus, continues his fight against forced unionization. Now a senior fellow with the Liberty Justice Center, Janus recently visited North Carolina to discuss his case and its aftermath. Some state lawmakers want to change North Carolina’s rules governing liquor sales. Carol Shaw of the General Assembly’s Program Evaluation Division recently offered some recommendations for how to proceed with reforms. Economic freedom, not socialism, offers the path toward wealthier, health societies. Southern Methodist University economist Robert Lawson delivered that message during a recent speech at Duke University. Lawson shared highlights from an annual report on economic freedom in countries around the world. North Carolina’s haphazard collection of criminal laws creates a losing proposition for N.C. taxpayers. Mike Schietzelt, criminal justice fellow at the John Locke Foundation, explains how taxpayers would benefit from a complete overhaul of the state’s criminal code.

What Props 1 and 2 really mean with Senator John Moorlach, Mark Janus gives us an update on California unions, a plane crashed on the freeway in Agoura Hills, why Campbell Soup Company is facing criticism, and don't forget to join us tomorrow in Anaheim from 2-6!

Mark Janus talks to Frank Andrews about the Supreme Court ruling Janus vs AFSCME in which the Court ruled that public sector (government) employees cannot be forced to pay union dues.

On June 27, 2018, the Supreme Court decided Janus v. American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 31, a case considering the forced subsidizing of unions by public employees, even if they choose not to join the union or strongly disagree with many positions the union takes in collective bargaining. Under Illinois law, public employees are permitted to unionize; and if a majority of employees in a particular bargaining union vote to unionize, then that union is designated as the exclusive representative of all the employees in collective bargaining, even those members who choose not to join the union. Non-members are required to pay an “agency fee,” which is a percentage of the full union dues and covers union expenses “germane” to the union’s collective bargaining activities, but cannot cover any political or ideological projects sponsored by the union. Mark Janus works at the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. The employees in his unit are represented by American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 31 (“the union”). Janus did not join the union because he opposes many of its positions, including those taken in collective bargaining, but was required to pay 78.06% of full union dues as an “agency fee”--a fee resulting in a payment of $44.58 per month, and about $535 per year. Janus and two other state employees joined a lawsuit brought by the Governor of Illinois against the union in federal district court, seeking a declaration that the statutory imposition of agency fees was unconstitutional. The District Court dismissed the Governor for lack of standing, but proceeded to reject the claims of Janus and the other employees on the merits, finding their challenge foreclosed by the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1977 decision in Abood v. Detroit Bd. of Ed. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit affirmed, but the Supreme Court granted certiorari to reconsider whether public-sector agency-fee arrangements are constitutional. By a vote of 5-4, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed the judgment of the Seventh Circuit and remanded the case. In an opinion delivered by Justice Alito, the Court overruled Abood and held that state extraction of agency fees from nonconsenting public-sector employees violates the First Amendment; thus states and public-sector unions may no longer extract agency fees from nonconsenting employees. Justice Alito’s majority opinion was joined by the Chief Justice and Justices Kennedy, Thomas, and Gorsuch. Justice Sotomayor filed a dissenting opinion. Justice Kagan also filed a dissenting opinion, which was joined by Justices Ginsburg, Breyer, and Sotomayor. To discuss the case, we have Raymond LaJeunesse, Vice President & Legal Director, National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation.

On June 27, 2018, the Supreme Court decided Janus v. American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 31, a case considering the forced subsidizing of unions by public employees, even if they choose not to join the union or strongly disagree with many positions the union takes in collective bargaining. Under Illinois law, public employees are permitted to unionize; and if a majority of employees in a particular bargaining union vote to unionize, then that union is designated as the exclusive representative of all the employees in collective bargaining, even those members who choose not to join the union. Non-members are required to pay an “agency fee,” which is a percentage of the full union dues and covers union expenses “germane” to the union’s collective bargaining activities, but cannot cover any political or ideological projects sponsored by the union. Mark Janus works at the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. The employees in his unit are represented by American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 31 (“the union”). Janus did not join the union because he opposes many of its positions, including those taken in collective bargaining, but was required to pay 78.06% of full union dues as an “agency fee”--a fee resulting in a payment of $44.58 per month, and about $535 per year. Janus and two other state employees joined a lawsuit brought by the Governor of Illinois against the union in federal district court, seeking a declaration that the statutory imposition of agency fees was unconstitutional. The District Court dismissed the Governor for lack of standing, but proceeded to reject the claims of Janus and the other employees on the merits, finding their challenge foreclosed by the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1977 decision in Abood v. Detroit Bd. of Ed. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit affirmed, but the Supreme Court granted certiorari to reconsider whether public-sector agency-fee arrangements are constitutional. By a vote of 5-4, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed the judgment of the Seventh Circuit and remanded the case. In an opinion delivered by Justice Alito, the Court overruled Abood and held that state extraction of agency fees from nonconsenting public-sector employees violates the First Amendment; thus states and public-sector unions may no longer extract agency fees from nonconsenting employees. Justice Alito’s majority opinion was joined by the Chief Justice and Justices Kennedy, Thomas, and Gorsuch. Justice Sotomayor filed a dissenting opinion. Justice Kagan also filed a dissenting opinion, which was joined by Justices Ginsburg, Breyer, and Sotomayor. To discuss the case, we have Raymond LaJeunesse, Vice President & Legal Director, National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation.

Andrew Langer from the Institute for Liberty joins Justice and Drew to discuss a wide variety of current events before they're joined by Mark Janus of the Janus ruling to discuss whether unions are ignoring the rules.

Scott Wagner made international news this week when he called 18-year-old Rose Stauss “young and naive” for challenging him on his climate change denialism and the $200,000 he received from the oil and gas industry. Strauss is part of the youth-led environmental group, the Sunrise Movement. Sean Kitchen was there to capture it all, lighting the spark that caught fire around the world.  and share it to the world. Wagner’s gaffe was picked up in the BBC and the Australian Press and Rose Strauss went on to get an Op-Ed in Teen Vogue and interviewed in the New York Times. Philly solicitor Marcel Pratt says that ICE is most likely in violation of an information sharing agreement with the city. Rob Roger, the former political cartoonist at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, who was fired for cartoons critical of Trump, gets his own exhibit at the Corcoran Art Museum in DC. The State of Pennsylvania orders companies to plug more than 1,000 abandoned gas wells. The wells pose potential environmental risks and can leak climate-wrecking gases. Fall rallies are being planned in support of the PA Promise, the bill that would provide free college tuition in PA. Floods across the state and in Harrisburg thanks to torrential downpours and “training showers,” a new weather term Kevin learned this week. Pipeline contractors post Wagner/Bartos signs outside construction staging area near Ricketts Glenn. How’s that support for Big Gas working for you, Gov. Wolf? Mark Janus, the man who brought us Janus v. AFSCME, retires with his union-won pension and joins right-wing think-tank, the Illinois Policy Institute. His co-workers throw him a party but don’t invite him. Corporate Democrats hold a conference to figure out how to stop progressives ahead of the 2020 presidential election. “Opportunity 2020” - sponsored by Third Way and the billionaire real-estate developer, Winston Fisher - searched for their message and their candidates. Their big ideas are a venture-capital-like bank to give out loans to the poor; a vague apprenticeship program, a for-profit retirement fund; and, a plan to put old folks to work through an “Americorps-like program for retirees.” Democratic Party makes historic cuts in the number of caucus states, potentially to stave off progressives. Ohio Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan signals he’s getting into the 2020 presidential race. Hoping to win with the “yoga vote”. Jeff Sessions joins students attending Turning Point USA conference in chants of “lock her up.” Maria Butina will remain in jail as her case gets interesting as it begins to implicate the NRA as well. Georgia Republican Jason Spencer said some really racist shit on Sacha Baron Cohen’s new TV Show “Who is America?” and was forced to resign. A new study from Princeton and Northwestern universities offers evidence that the U.S. is an oligarchy. Economic Policy Institute new report shows that the New Gilded Age is indeed upon us. Climate scientists warn that the red alert is on and that the Trump White House is doing everything it can to reverse 20 years of progress - progress that is insufficient as it is. Young Swedish activist boards plane and refuses to take her seat to prevent a man from Afghanistan from being deported. Today is the deadline for the Trump organization to reunite families. What are the odds that’s going to happen? Lawyer says “There doesn’t appear to be any rhyme or reason on who gets released and who doesn’t…It’s mind-boggling.” Turns out Putin gave Trump a soccer ball with a transmitter chip in it. That can’t be a problem, right? And, even Billy Joel wants to know why more people aren’t cracking Nazi skulls. A lake found on Mars? You bet! On Friday night, Mars will reach opposition, its closest approach to Earth since 2003. Here’s how to see it. Friday night will also be the longest Blood Moon of the 21st century...but it won’t be visible in North America. Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson tells David Ignatius of the Washington Post that the “Space Force” debate is just great. Airbus is actually building Skynet, well, technically “Network in the Sky.” Cue Terminator memes. Shout out to Breaker Brewing Company in Wilkes-Barre - I even got a warn Raging Chicken welcome! I sampled Rooibos IPA, Pineapple Vanilla Dreamsicle, Minefire Blackberry Jalapeño Ale, and Santa Fe Pils. I also brought home two 4 packs: Metamorphosis and Breakfast Club “The Basket Case.”  And, Sean goes to Forest and Main...did he actually bring his niece with him? We’ll find out. Also, thanks and a huge shout out to for folks over at Party Unity - the official podcast of Social Dem. Social Dem is a political blog and media project covering American politics with a special focus on the interrelation between the Democratic Party and the socialist movement. Their latest episode focused on some of their favorite lefty media and they gave us a big shout out on their show. Do check them out on SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/socialdem.

On this week's episode of Under the Dome, we preview President Trump's trip to the U.S. Steel plant (pictured) in Granite City, Illinois. Also, we discuss the controversy that arose when a Chicago mayoral candidate started handing out money at an event Gov. Bruce Rauner was attending. Plus, Mark Janus has a new job. 

Welcome to Episode 2 of UTL's Straight Talk Podcast. In this Episode, Mickie and Amy talk to Paul Georges, UTL President and AFT-MA Vice President, about the Janus case. While this podcast was recorded prior to the Supreme Court Decision favoring Mark Janus, the background and information continues to be relevant.The case, as we heard in our last episode, will have lasting and damaging effects on unions and their ability to advocate for members not only in terms of salary and pension, but also regarding working conditions and fidelity to contract terms.Over the last six months, news outlets have documented work-related actions in "right to work" states across the US. Educators in one of these states, Oklahoma, were recently interviewed as to the affect right-to-work has had on them personally. The link to that interview can be found here.Thanks again for listening and for your patience while we work through a few minor technical issues. We do hope you'll press the subscribe button and comment below to let us know your thoughts. We're always open to new ideas, so if there is a topic you'd like to hear more about, please let us know in the comment section below. Subscribe to UTL95-StraightTalk on Apple Podcasts.

Liberty Justice Center Director of Litigation Jacob Huebert walks through what it was like to be at the Supreme Court the day of the landmark Janus vs. AFSCME decision, realizing that he and plaintiff Mark Janus restored First Amendment rights for workers across the country. Huebert also debunks common misconceptions about the case and what it means moving forward.

After a relaxing day drinking nutcrackers at the beach, Aaron of the ISO and the Antifada crew hit the studio to podcast and chill. Our hate was impure. Then things went horribly wrong. We start on a bright enough note with DSA's Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez's stunning victory in the BX/QNS primary. The usual back and forth about leftists and electoralism yada yada yada. Next, the destruction of Weird NYC. The structurally reactionary nature of the judiciary. Jamie gets livid over the crisis pregnancy center decision, but not before she is possessed by the ghost of Alex Jones. Fucking scab-ass Mark Janus. (FUCK YOU!) Gems: David Axelrod's mustache is the perfect implement for toilet cleaning; Shane Smith's mansion as union propaganda; Adderall as cure for absolute surplus value; witch circles; Seymour Hersh collaborating with Brazzers. It was a wild ride and maybe our favorite ep yet! Follow Aaron: @ughitsaaron Follow Antifada: @the_antifada, @jamie_elizabeth, @space_prole Become a patron starting at just $2/month at patreon.com/theantifada

Mark Janus joins Justice & Drew and The Friday Roundtable to discuss the SCOTUS ruling on his case.

Pat Hughes the President of the Liberty Justice Center and Mark Janus joined Dan and Amy with reaction to the Supreme Court ruling in the Janus case. Wisconsin Congressman Sean Duffy joined Dan and Amy to talk about the debate over immigration, and Red Hen Week. Plus, Randy Barnett is a Georgetown Law professor and author of the book Our Republican Constitution: Securing the Liberty and Sovereignty of We the People. He joined Dan and Amy with reaction to the retirement of Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, and the brewing fight over his replacement.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Dorf, a professor at Cornell University Law School and former clerk for Supreme Court justice Anthony Kennedy, discusses Kennedy's retirement and what President Trump's second Supreme Court pick could do to move the nation's highest court further to the right. Plus, Mark Janus, the plaintiff in the Supreme Court case Janus v. AFSCME, discusses his Wednesday victory after the court ruled that government employees should not be required to pay mandatory union fees. They speak with Bloomberg's June Grasso. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Michael Dorf, a professor at Cornell University Law School and former clerk for Supreme Court justice Anthony Kennedy, discusses Kennedy’s retirement and what President Trump’s second Supreme Court pick could do to move the nation’s highest court further to the right. Plus, Mark Janus, the plaintiff in the Supreme Court case Janus v. AFSCME, discusses his Wednesday victory after the court ruled that government employees should not be required to pay mandatory union fees. They speak with Bloomberg’s June Grasso.

Janus v. AFSCME is the case that is disrupting the work of organized unions everywhere. Jacob Huebert is an attorney who represented Mark Janus, the plaintiff in the case, before the US Supreme Court. Jacob talks about the impact of the then-not announced decision on teachers and unionized workers. Episode 26 of Reality Check with Jeanne Allen

If the U.S. Supreme Court sides with Mark Janus in his lawsuit against AFSCME, the big government labor union, it would be a huge victory for worker freedom throughout the nation. Here in Wisconsin, a Janus victory would mean public safety workers like police and firefighters, who were exempted from Act 10, would be able to opt out of their unions if they wanted to. Catch the MacIver News Minute on News/Talk 1130 WISN every Tuesday and Thursday at 8, 11, and 2. Listen to News/Talk 1130 WISN live: www.iheart.com/live/1130-wisn-4245/

On this week's action-packed episode of Under the Dome: * Gun control: Lawmakers debated bill inside the Capitol and hundreds rallied in support outside this week. * Should kids under 12 be allowed to play organized tackle football? A bill at the Statehouse says no. * Some in Illinois want to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. We don't have a bill about that yet. But we do have a bill that would put a question on the November ballot to get voters' opinions. * Mark Janus, the state worker who is fighting AFSCME over whether he should be forced to pay fair-share union dues, was in D.C. this week as the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in the case.

Josh Dunn, an associate professor of political science at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, joins EdNext Editor-in-chief Marty West to discuss oral arguments heard by the Supreme Court Monday, February 26, in Janus v. AFSCME. The case “could overturn decades-old precedent and deal a potentially crippling blow to public sector unions.” The case was brought by Mark Janus, an Illinois government employee. He argues that he should not be required to pay a fee to the public sector union he has chosen not to join. He sees the required agency fee as a violation of his First amendment rights since the union takes positions he opposes, positions which he views as political.

Can a private organization force someone to pay them to speak on his or her behalf? That's the question before the U.S. Supreme Court as it hears oral arguments in Janus v. AFSCME on Monday, February 26. The case may well mean the end of mandatory dues under agency shop agreements, the major source of funds for public employee unions, including the teachers' unions which have a stranglehold on the nation's public schools. This week's guest on Reality Check with Jeanne Allen is Mark Mix, President of the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, which represents Mark Janus, the plaintiff in the case. Learn all about one of the most important Supreme Court cases of the year on this Episode 10 of Reality Check.

On February 26, the Supreme Court will hear oral argument in Janus v. American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), a case that has the potential to overturn a 40-year-old precedent (Abood v. Detroit Board of Education) that allows public-sector unions to charge nonmembers “agency fees.” Currently, half the states have laws that enable such fees. Mark Janus—an Illinois state employee but not a union member—objects generally to being required to pay AFSCME, as well as to these funds being used to support the union’s ongoing legal fight against the governor’s policy reforms. Janus sued the union for violating his First Amendment rights by compelling these payments. In addition to their responses to that constitutional claim, AFSCME and Illinois have argued throughout the litigation that stare decisis—the prudential doctrine regarding judicial respect for settled precedent—demands that Abood be maintained. Cato filed a brief discussing the historical underpinnings of stare decisis and contending that a proper understanding of stare decisis actually demands that Abood be overturned. Please join us for a discussion of a case pitting workers’ rights against union rights and state powers—one that may accomplish the rare feat of reversing Supreme Court precedent. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Supreme Court is taking the case of Mark Janus the Illinois state employee who objects to paying fees to the union which represents 35,000 state workers. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers

The Supreme Court is now weighting Freidrichs v. California Teachers Association. Mark Janus is the lead plaintiff in a near-identical case in Illinois. Jacob Huebert is his attorney. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.