The Santa Rosa Press-Democrat has this article about the upcoming court hearing in Rubin v Bowen, the California state court lawsuit filed by minor parties against Proposition 14. This lawsuit was filed on November 21, 2011 by the Peace & Freedom Party, the Libertarian Party, and the Alameda County Green Party. The hearing is in Oakland on April 10, Tuesday, at 9 a.m.

According to this story, there is some likelihood that Congress will ease the Hatch Act, which now prevents many individuals from running for partisan office. HR 4152 and S1270 would eliminate the part of the Hatch Act that blocks state and local government employees from running for partisan office, if the federal government funds that state and local government. Congressman Darrell Issa, chair of the House Committee that has jurisdiction over the House bill, says he favors a stronger bill, probably one that would give more freedom to federal employees.

The old Hatch Act, passed in 1939, made it illegal for government employees to do any voluntary labor whatsoever in connection with a partisan campaign. The old Act, for example, made it illegal for a goverment employee to help with a petition drive to place a party or a candidate on the ballot. That restriction was lifted in 1993.