INSIDE
- Editorial (Page 2).
- Protecting American Democracy Act of 2003
(Page 3).
- Best Practice (Page 4).
- RRTC-ILM Compendium (Page 5).
- NCIL Conference
|
ALBANY, NY - October 30, 2003.
State and national advocates for people with
disabilities were thrilled to hear the news that New York State Attorney
General Eliot Spitzer agreed to sign on to the State of Minnesota's brief in
Tennessee v. Lane. The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the case in
January of 2004.
"With the exception of the right to vote, I
can't think of anything more fundamental to an American citizen than being able
to physically appear before a court of law with dignity," remarked Brad
Williams, executive director of NYSILC.
The Minnesota brief was filed on November 12,
2003. In addition to New York, the States of Connecticut, Illinois,
Massachusetts, Missouri, New Mexico, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin signed
on as well. The brief can soon be referenced on the ABA website:
http://www.abanet.org/publiced/preview/briefs/jan04.html#tn
NYS Attorney General Spitzer took similar
action back in July 2000 when he signed on to the State of Minnesota's brief in
Alabama v. Garrett. Unfortunately, by a vote of 5-4, the Court ruled that the
Eleventh Amendment bars suits in federal court by state employees to recover
money damages under Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
"Having Attorney General Spitzer sign the
Minnesota amicus brief in the Lane case sends a strong message to New Yorkers
with disabilities," stated T.K. Small, Attorney at Law. "He is committed to
defending the ADA." |
