San Antonio public libraries do not permit petitioning on the sidewalks in front of the libraries. Instead, the library says all such petitioning must be carried on in “free speech zones”, which are usually far from the entrance. On July 19, the San Antonio Firefighters’ Association filed a federal lawsuit seeking to force the libraries to allow petitioning on public sidewalks near library entrances. San Antonio Firefighters’ Association, Local 624, v City of San Antonio, w.d., 5:18cv-745.

The case is assigned to Judge Xavier Rodriguez, a Bush Jr. appointee. So far the city hasn’t responded to the Complaint. Thanks to Linda Curtis for the link.

On August 2, a Maine state trial court ruled that Governor Paul LePage must release the money appropriated for public financing of campaigns for legislative candidates. See this story.

The New York Times has this story about the Independence Party of New York. The story focuses on the fact that for the two big statewide offices, Governor and U.S. Senate, the Independence Party nominates Democrats. But for U.S. House and state legislature, it leans toward nominating Republicans.