State legislatures attack constitutionality of Bush education plan News
State legislatures attack constitutionality of Bush education plan

[JURIST] In a bipartisan statement released Wednesday, all 50 state legislatures opposed President Bush's No Child Left Behind Act [PDF]. The statement [PDF text], issued by the National Conference of State Legislatures [official website], attacked the education program's unconstitutional extension of federal power in an area traditionally left up to state control and accused the government of coercing states into compliance. It also recommends essential changes in the measurement of student progress, the punishment for under-achieving schools, and guidelines for allowing waivers for struggling school districts. The NCSL also expressed concern that the education reform would further segregate schools and provide incentives for good teachers to leave needy schools. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

South Africa becomes first country on continent to legalize same-sex marriage

Same-sex marriages became legal in South Africa on November 30, 2006 as the country's Civil Union Act, 2006 went into effect, making South Africa the only country on the African continent to legalize same-sex marriage. Read the Civil Union Act, 2006.