Here's a link to my full story at spokesman.com on today's arguments over Idaho's invalidated same-sex marriage ban at the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. After today’s arguments, attorney Deborah Ferguson, who made the arguments on behalf of four Idaho couples who challenged the…
Monte Neil Stewart, the same attorney who argued Idaho’s case for its same-sex marriage ban at the 9th Circuit, is now defending Nevada’s ban as an intervenor on behalf of the “Coalition for the Protection of Marriage.” At one point in his arguments, he slipped…
As the arguments in the 9th Circuit today on Idaho’s same-sex marriage ban wrapped up, Idaho attorney Monte Stewart made a reference to a position taken by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy. Judge Stephen Reinhardt interrupted him, saying, “I think you’re going to have…
Monte Stewart, now up for his final five minutes of argument, told the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that if it’s a question of who has the best crystal ball, Idaho’s crystal ball is even better than the court’s – because it reflects “its collective…
Judge Stephen Reinhardt asked Boise attorney Deborah Ferguson if she thought marriage laws have any effect on “bonding between a mother and a father and a child, and that structure being a better structure for society?” He was referring to earlier arguments from attorney Monte…
Deborah Ferguson, attorney for four Idaho couples who successfully sued to overturn the state’s ban on same-sex marriage, said the harms the ban imposes on her clients and those like them are many. “The law imposes a cradle-to-grave discrimination on same-sex couples in Idaho. It…
Judge Stephen Reinhardt asked attorney Deborah Ferguson, “Do you really care if we decide on fundamental right or equal protection as long as you win?” Amid laughter, she responded, “No.” “I think the due process and the equal protection arguments are both very important,” Ferguson…
Boise attorney Deborah Ferguson is now arguing the case for the four lesbian couples who successfully sued to overturn Idaho’s ban on same-sex marriage. Idaho has “the most sweeping” such ban in the 9th Circuit, she said. “It bars the possibility of any form of…
After Idaho attorney Monte Stewart argued that legalizing same-sex marriage would send a message to society that promotes fatherlessness and motherlessness for Idaho children, Judge Stephen Reinhardt of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals asked him, “Does Idaho prohibit divorce because it sends a bad…
9th Circuit Judge Marsha Berzon asked Idaho attorney Monte Stewart the percentage of children who grow up in what he describes as the ideal environment – being reared by their married, biological mother and father. Stewart said in Idaho, it’s 68 percent up until age…
Monte Stewart, a private attorney representing Idaho Gov. Butch Otter, is going to give the state’s arguments, speaking both for Otter and for Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, Stewart told the 9th Circuit. He’ll take up the full 30 minutes allotted to the state’s side. “Idaho…
You can watch the oral arguments in Idaho's appeal to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals of the overturning of its ban on same-sex marriage online live here. There's more on the case, including the arguments laid out in hundreds of pages of legal briefs…
As the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals prepares to take up arguments on Idaho's invalidated ban on same-sex marriage - the state has appealed the U.S. District Court decision to the 9th Circuit - the L.A. Times is reporting that all three judges on the…
Former Idaho First Lady Jacque Batt was 88 when she died Sunday of natural causes at St. Alphonsus Hospital. She and Phil, her husband of 66 years, met at the University of Idaho and were married in 1948; they had three children, William, Rebecca and…
Four months into her new job, Idaho’s public records ombudsman, Cally Younger, says more work needs to be done to clarify and strengthen Idaho's public records process. She's surveying state agencies and meeting with stakeholders in advance of the 2015 Legislature, and recommending potential changes…
Idaho's schools superintendent is defending big pay raises he gave his top staffers earlier this year as temporary hikes that are part of a strategy to ease the transition for his successor, the Lewiston Tribune reports. Those who received raises include Tom Luna's former deputy…
Former Idaho First Lady Jacque Batt, wife of Gov. Phil Batt, died on Sunday; the Idaho Statesman has a remembrance online here. Current Idaho Gov. Butch Otter and First Lady Lori Otter issued this statement: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Jacque Batt.…
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