« June 12, 2005 - June 18, 2005 | Main | June 26, 2005 - July 2, 2005 »
June 23, 2005
Weekly Question: No Such Thing as a FREE Lunch?
Question 1: Should law professors and/or judges accept expenses paid seminars from groups that have a particular political perspective or agenda, such as FREE?
Question 2: Should judges serve on the Boards of such organizations?
According to the Washington Post, Judge James Loken recently dismissed a complaint against Judge Danny Boggs, chief judge of the 6th Circuit, for serving on the Board of Directors of the Foundation for Research in Economics and Environment (FREE). FREE provides expenses-paid seminars for federal judges and law professors exploring various environmental issues from free market economic perspectives. The FREE seminars tend to provide at least nominal participation from other perspectives. The complaint by Community Rights Counsel alleged that service on the Board created an appearance of partiality because FREE accepts contributions by various corporations. Justice Steve Breyer may review Loken's decision to dismiss the complaint.
June 23, 2005 | Permalink | TrackBack
June 22, 2005
Takings Conference
Georgetown Environmental Law and Policy Institute sponsors the 8th Annual Georgetown takings conference, "Litigating Takings." The program will focus on the recent and forthcoming Supreme Court cases: San Remo Hotel, Lingle, and Kelo. The conference will be held at Harvard Law School on October 27-28, 2005. GELPI Takings Conference
Takings Conference
June 22, 2005 | Permalink | TrackBack
June 21, 2005
ABA Section Fall Meeting
The ABA Section on Environment, Energy, and Natural Resources will have its fall meeting in Nashville, Tenn on Sept. 20-25. Scroll through hype on Nashville to see the program. Link: http://www.abanet.org/environ/fallmeet/2005/
June 21, 2005 | Permalink | TrackBack
June 20, 2005
Global Warming Votes
Apparently the Chair of Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Senator Pete Dominici (NM), is likely to support Sen. Bingeman's carbon dioxide emissions amendment. The Bingeman amendment will be offered only after a vote on the McCain/Lieberman amendment. McCain/Lieberman requires a cut to 2000 emissions by 2010 and encourages replacement of aging nuclear plants. Bingeman does not cap emissions, but caps the ratio of emissions to economic growth -- but sets a $7 ton limit on allowances, far below the European market price. Could it be that the United States will take some action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions prior to the G8 meeting??? Stay tuned.
