First SCOTUS ruling is in. Unanimous decision, with Kavanaugh not participating. As expected, the Supreme Court is doing the easy decisions first, and leaving the divisive ones for later in the SCOTUS season when they'll need Kavanaugh. supremecourt.gov/opinions/18pdf…
The ruling itself is a pretty simple one and is a good example of a lot of what the SCOTUS does. Codifying interpretations of laws. Here, two workers were fired from a fire department and sued under a law that prevents age discrimination in the workplace.
Initially it covered any commercial institutions with 20 or more employees, and was later amended to include all state institutions. As the fire department had less than 20 people, the fire department argued that they were thus exempt.
SCOTUS, with Ginsburg writing the decision, declared that the amendment created 2 SEPARATE classifications. Commercial businesses with less than 20 people, and government institutions with no size limitations, affirming what the 9th circuit decided.
Oftentimes, it comes down to simple wording, in this case, the word 'also.'
"the ordinary meaning of “also means” is additive rather than clarifying. As the Ninth Circuit explained, “‘also’ is a term of enhancement; it means ‘in addition; besides’ and ‘likewise; too.’""
"the ordinary meaning of “also means” is additive rather than clarifying. As the Ninth Circuit explained, “‘also’ is a term of enhancement; it means ‘in addition; besides’ and ‘likewise; too.’""
And who ever said English classes weren't important?
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