CLEAR

Alaska: conduct code challenge dismissed

The Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit Court found no support for plaintiff's allegation that the Alaska Code of Judicial Conduct has a "chilling effect" on the ability of state court judges to exercise free speech during campaigns. The Alaska Right to Life Political Action Committee (PAC) sued specific members of the Alaska Commission on Judicial Conduct and the Alaska Bar Association, although there was no evidence of intent to discipline candidate judges. The opinion says district court should not have heard the case, especially since the Alaska Supreme Court, which has authority over the state's judicial code, has not commented. On the other hand, the court pointed out that the PAC has time prior to the 2008 judicial election to develop a factual record that merits state or federal review. Read more.    The ninth circuit court: see case numbers case numbers 05-35902; 05-36027

WTO: GATS training module

Sign In, an interactive training module on the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)  is available from the World Trade Organization. The module is self-paced and includes links to key GATS materials.

US: medical exam must allow for breastfeeding

A Harvard student has won her lawsuit seeking time out to pump breast milk during the medical licensure examination. The National Board of Medical Examiners is appealing the decision, but the candidate is scheduled to take the exam this week. Read more.  The board has developed a candidate Q&A page on the issue.

US: The Thicket at State Legislatures

A bipartisan blog for legislative junkies. That's how the National Conference of State Legislatures describes The Thicket at State Legislatures. A nice feature of the Thicket is its links to statehouse blogs of every stripe.