Analysis of Statutory Religious Accomodations for State-Employed Religious Objectors to Same-Sex Marriage Solemnization

The Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Obergefell v. Hodges legalized same-sex marriage. The decision aggravated a tension between advocates of protection of religious beliefs that reject as wrong same-sex marriage and sponsors of the new legal norm of same-sex marriage as a fundamental right. Prior to—and in response to—the Supreme Court’s decision in Obergefell, at least ten state legislatures debated bills that would provide exemptions for state officials who, on religious grounds, objected to the certification of marriage licenses for same-sex couples. Unless otherwise established by state law, officials who swear an oath to protect and defend the Constitution must carry out the legal duties imposed by that oath—including certifying same-sex marriages. In North Carolina and Utah, these religious exemption bills passed and are now operational. In Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Minnesota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas, similar such bills failed to become law through the legislative process. This Note proposes model legislation for states seeking to implement a religious accommodation scheme that respects the contours of the right articulated in the Obergefell decision. Before introducing the model statute, the Note provides insight into several preliminary matters. First, the Note provides background on the propriety of religious accommodations schemes and then explores why states may seek to implement such a scheme. Moreover, the Note analyzes the accommodation schemes adopted by the state legislatures in North Carolina and Utah, and the inferred accommodation scheme promoted by the Texas Attorney General. The treatment of these issues serves as the foundation for the Note’s proposed model statutory accommodation scheme

THE STATUS AND CONDITION OF NEW JERSEY'S FOOD RETAIL INDUSTRY: GROCERY STORES, SUPERMARKETS, AND OTHER FOOD STORES

Agribusiness,

THE STATUS AND CONDITIONS OF NEW JERSEY'S FOOD WHOLESALE INDUSTRY: FOOD, GROCERIES, CONFECTIONERY, AND BEVERAGE WHOLESALE AND BROKERAGE

Agribusiness,

BUSINESS CLIMATE OF FOOD FIRMS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF PROBLEMS FACED BY FOOD MANUFACTURERS, WHOLESALERS, RETAILERS AND SERVICE INSTITUTIONS IN NEW JERSEY

This paper presents the problems facing food firms using information from focus groups of industry executives from New Jersey. The leading problems for food manufacturers are related to regulation, taxation, economic development, and high business costs. For food wholesalers the leading problems are transportation, regulation, labor quality, training and education, and public relations. Food retailers cite litigation and liability, high business costs, regulation, and insurance costs as leading problems. For food service firms, regulation, licensing and permits, labor quality and costs, and high business costs are the most pressing problems. Policy recommendations for improving the business climate are provided.Agribusiness,

ENHANCING BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN THE FOOD WHOLESALE SECTOR: A CASE STUDY OF NEW JERSEY

New Jersey is very much like many other states in the northeastern region of the United States. On the other hand, it is unique in a number of ways. New Jersey is characterized by (1) a large and affluent consumer base, (2) access to major ports and air transportation facilities which facilitates foreign imports and exports, and (3) large food manufacturing, retail and service sectors. New Jersey's food wholesale sector is therefore an important economic sector with strong potential for future growth. Food wholesalers can provide stable high-paying jobs in an economy still recovering from the 1989-92 recession. Limited knowledge of the challenges facing this sector may hinder its potential growth and development. Given the implications that could be drawn from New Jersey, this paper investigates the challenges facing New Jersey food wholesalers based on information obtained directly from industry leaders via a focus group meeting. Findings suggest the need for public policies to address transportation, regulation, education and training, public relations, nonunion labor and quality of life issues. These findings are useful in planning for economic development of the food wholesale sector and fostering competitiveness not only in New Jersey, but in the Northeast and other regions.Agribusiness,

Experimental observation of two-dimensional fluctuation magnetization in the vicinity of T_c for low values of the magnetic field in deoxygenated YBa_2Cu_3O_{7-x}

We measured isofield magnetization curves as a function of temperature in two single crystal of deoxygenated YBaCuO with T_c = 52 and 41.5 K. Isofield MvsT were obtained for fields running from 0.05 to 4 kOe. The reversible region of the magnetization curves was analyzed in terms of a scaling proposed by Prange, but searching for the best exponent $\upsilon$. The scaling analysis carried out for each data sample set with $\upsilon$=0.669, which corresponds to the 3D-xy exponent, did not produced a collapsing of curves when applied to MvsT curves data obtained for the lowest fields. The resulting analysis for the Y123 crystal with T_c = 41.5 K, shows that lower field curves collapse over the entire reversible region following the Prange's scaling with $\upsilon$=1, suggesting a two-dimensional behavior. It is shown that the same data obeying the Prange's scaling with $\upsilon$=1 for crystal with T_c = 41.5 K, as well low field data for crystal with $T_c$ = 52 K, obey the known two-dimensional scaling law obtained in the lowest-Landau-level approximation.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Hartmann's Procedure or Primary Anastomosis?

Perforation following acute diverticulitis is a typical scenario during the first attack. Different classification systems exist to classify acute perforated diverticulitis. While the Hinchey classification, which is based on intraoperative findings, is internationally best known, the German Hansen-Stock classification which is based on CT scan is widely accepted within Germany. When surgery is necessary, sigmoid colectomy is the standard of care. An important question is whether patients should receive primary anastomosis or a Hartmann procedure subsequently. A priori there are several arguments for both procedures. Hartmann's operation is extremely safe and, therefore, represents the best option in severely ill patients and/or extensive peritonitis. However, this operation carries a high risk of stoma nonreversal, or, when reversal is attempted, a high risk in terms of morbidity and mortality. In contrast, primary anastomosis with or without loop ileostoma is a slightly more lengthy procedure as normally the splenic flexure needs to be mobilized and construction of the anastomosis may consume more time than the Hartmann operation. The big advantage of primary anastomosis, however, is that there is no need for the potentially risky stoma reversal operation. The most interesting question is when to do the Hartmann operation or primary anastomosis. Several comparative case series were published showing that primary anastomosis is feasible in many patients. However, no randomized trial is available to date. It is of note, that all non-randomized case series are biased, i.e. that patients in better condition received anastomosis and those with severe peritonitis underwent Hartmann's operation. This bias is undoubtedly likely to be present, even if not obvious, in the published papers! Our own data suggest that this decision should not be based on the extent of peritonitis but rather on patient condition and comorbidity. In conclusion, sigmoid colectomy and primary anastomosis is feasible and safe in many patients who need surgery for perforated diverticulitis, particularly when combined with loop ileostomy. Based on our own published analysis, however, we recommend performing Hartmann's operation in severely ill patients who carry substantial comorbidity, while the extent of peritonitis appears not to be of predominant importance. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Base