No. 20-1379

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority v. Center for Investigative Reporting

Lower Court: Third Circuit
Docketed: 2021-04-01
Status: Denied
Type: Paid
Amici (3)
Tags: categorical-ban commercial-speech content-restriction first-amendment free-speech government-speech political-speech public-forum supreme-court-precedent transit-advertising transit-authority
Key Terms:
AdministrativeLaw FirstAmendment
Latest Conference: 2021-09-27
Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether this Court's decision in Mansky overruled or abrogated the Court's holding in Lehman that transit authorities have the discretion to categorically prohibit political advertisements

Question Presented (OCR Extract)

QUESTION PRESENTED This Court long ago determined that public transit authorities have the discretion to prohibit all “political” advertising in their vehicles. Lehman v. City of Shaker Heights, 418 U.S. 298, 299-301 (1974). Under Lehman, a transit authority that “categorically prohibits advertising involving political speech” does not violate the First Amendment. AFDI v. King Cnty., Wash., 136 S. Ct. 1022, 1023 (2016) (Thomas, J., joined by Alito, J., dissenting from denial of certiorari). In Minnesota Voters Alliance v. Mansky, this Court found that a state law banning “political” apparel in polling places was not “capable of reasoned application.” 138 S. Ct. 1876, 92 (2018). But that decision did not find all categorical bans on “political” speech incapable of reasoned application. Indeed, that decision cited Lehman as one example of a restriction on political speech this Court has “long recognized that the government may impose.” Jd. at 1885-86 (citing Lehman, 418 U.S. at 303-304 (plurality opinion); id. at 307-308 (Douglas, J., concurring in judgment)). Two courts of appeals, including the Third Circuit in the decision below, have now disregarded Lehman and held that, under Mansky, transit authorities no longer have the discretionto categorically prohibit political advertisements. The question presented is: 1. Whether this Court’s decision in Mansky overruled or abrogated the Court’s holding in Lehman that transit authorities have the discretion to categorically prohibit political advertisements.

Docket Entries

2021-10-04
Petition DENIED.
2021-07-21
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 9/27/2021.
2021-07-21
Reply of petitioner Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority filed. (Distributed)
2021-07-01
Brief of respondent The Center for Investigative Reporting in opposition filed.
2021-05-03
Brief amicus curiae of Greater Richmond Transit Authority filed.
2021-04-30
Brief amici curiae of the American Public Transportation Association, et al. filed.
2021-04-27
Brief amicus curiae of Port Authority of Allegheny County filed.
2021-04-15
Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including July 2, 2021.
2021-04-14
Motion to extend the time to file a response from May 3, 2021 to July 2, 2021, submitted to The Clerk.
2021-03-29
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due May 3, 2021)

Attorneys

Greater Richmond Transit Authority
Richard Earl Hill Jr.City of Richmond; Office of the City Attorney, Amicus
Richard Earl Hill Jr.City of Richmond; Office of the City Attorney, Amicus
Port Authority of Allegheny County
Gregory J. KrockMCGUIREWOODS LLP, Amicus
Gregory J. KrockMCGUIREWOODS LLP, Amicus
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority
Maryellen MaddenMontgomery McCracken, Petitioner
Maryellen MaddenMontgomery McCracken, Petitioner
the American Public Transportation Association and the National Railroad Passenger Corporation
Rex S. HeinkeCALG LLP, Amicus
Rex S. HeinkeCALG LLP, Amicus
The Center for Investigative Reporting
Brian M. HaussAmerican Civil Liberties Union Foundation, Respondent
Brian M. HaussAmerican Civil Liberties Union Foundation, Respondent
Robert Andrew WiygulHangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller, Respondent
Robert Andrew WiygulHangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller, Respondent