Tag: constitutional law

Houston Matters

As Supreme Court Term Ends, What Rulings Affect Texas?

Posted on · The U.S. Supreme Court just wrapped up its latest term. What were the biggest cases the High Court handed down, and what could they mean for you? We talk with constitutional law scholars Josh Blackman and Rocky Rhodes of South Texas College of Law Houston.

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Reviewing the Supreme Court Session, and Defining Patriotism: Friday’s Show (June 30, 2017)

Posted on · The U.S. Supreme Court just wrapped up its latest term. What were the biggest cases the High Court handed down, and what could they mean for you? We talk with constitutional law scholars Josh Blackman and Rocky Rhodes of South Texas College of Law Houston. Also this hour, with the Fourth of July approaching, we […]

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Houston Matters Special Edition: Neil Gorsuch Confirmation Hearings

Posted on · (Above: The US Supreme Court building in Washington, DC. Photo: Wikipedia Commons/Public Domain) Houston Matters will offer a special edition today (Tuesday, March 21, 2017), as News 88.7 brings you live coverage of the Senate Judiciary Committee questioning Judge Neil Gorsuch, President Trump’s nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court. Live coverage from NPR News begins tentatively at […]

Houston Matters

What Should Be the 28th Amendment?

Posted on · Today we observe National Constitution Day and ask you to tell us what’s so important to you that you would want it added to the U.S. Constitution as the 28th Amendment. Among the 27 Amendments in place are the first ten, aka the Bill of Rights, which address matters ranging from speech to religion to guns. […]

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The 28th Amendment and a Death Salon: Friday’s Show (September 16, 2016)

Posted on · Today we observe National Constitution Day and ask you to tell us what’s so important to you that you would want it added to the U.S. Constitution as the 28th Amendment. Among the 27 Amendments in place are the first ten, aka the Bill of Rights, which address matters ranging from speech to religion to guns. […]

Houston Matters

Inside the Latest Battles in the Long War Over Prayer in School

Posted on · Last year, the American Humanist Association sued the Birdville Independent School District, northeast of Fort Worth, over its practice of opening school board meetings with student-delivered prayers. In the year since, the two sides have tussled over motions to dismiss. Most recently, the school district has appealed to have the case against individual school board […]

Houston Matters

Clearing Up Common Misconceptions About the Constitution

Posted on · Amid recent developments in the news, there have been examples of Americans citing their Constitutional rights in ways that suggest they don’t know what’s actually in the U.S. Constitution. We discuss a few such examples, and seek to debunk some common misconceptions about what the language in the Constitution actually states. We welcome your questions and comments […]

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Green Party and HISD Superintendent Finalist: Monday’s Show (August 8, 2016)

Posted on · Delegates of the Green Party met at the University of Houston on Saturday (Aug. 6, 2016) to nominate Dr. Jill Stein as their presidential candidate. The Green Party is one of a few so-called “third parties” that have sought to make inroads in recent election cycles, with varying success. On this edition of Houston Matters, […]

Houston Matters

Supreme Court Strikes Down Two Provisions of Texas Abortion Law

Posted on · The US Supreme Court this morning (June 27, 2016), in a 5-3 ruling, struck down two provisions of a Texas law regulating abortion: one requiring doctors who perform abortions to have hospital admissions privileges within 30 miles; the other requiring clinics that provide abortions to meet the standards of outpatient surgical centers. The state argued […]

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Supreme Court Strikes Down Abortion Provisions: Monday’s Show (June 27, 2016)

Posted on · The U.S. Supreme Court this morning (June 27, 2016), in a 5-3 ruling, struck down two provisions of a Texas law regulating abortion:  one requiring doctors who perform abortions to have hospital admissions privileges within 30 miles; the other requiring clinics that provide abortions to meet the standards of outpatient surgical centers. The state argued […]

Houston Matters

Supreme Court Rules in Two Cases Stemming from Texas

Posted on · On Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down decisions in two of the three pending major cases tied to Texas. The court deadlocked 4-4 on President Obama’s plan that would have shielded millions of immigrants from deportation. And, in a 4-3 decision, the court upheld the affirmative action program at the University of Texas. Joining us to […]

Houston Matters

Revisiting Debate Over Texas Voter ID Law

Posted on · Judges for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit heard oral arguments last week (May 24, 2016) over a challenge to the state’s voter ID law. Plaintiffs allege the requirement violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act by making it more difficult — specifically for African Americans and Latinos — to cast a […]