Yesterday the Supreme Court heard in a single argument combining Davenport v. Washington Education Association, and Washington v. Washington Education Association. At issue in this case is whether a union can use mandatory dues for political purposes without first getting the teacher's permission. As reported in BNA; "A Washington campaign finance law requiring unions to obtain individual nonmembers' consent to use their agency fees for political purposes does not violate unions' First Amendment rights, Washington Attorney General Robert M. McKenna and Solicitor General Paul D. Clement argued to the U.S. Supreme Court Jan. 10." While the attorney for the Washington Education Association argued that the state law is burdensome and prohibits the union's ability and right to engage in political advocacy. Read the story in the New York Times here.