Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Law Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 91 - 117 of 117

Full-Text Articles in Law

Tragic Irony Of American Federalism: National Sovereignty Versus State Sovereignty In Slavery And In Freedom, The Federalism In The 21st Century: Historical Perspectives, Robert J. Kaczorowski Jan 1996

Tragic Irony Of American Federalism: National Sovereignty Versus State Sovereignty In Slavery And In Freedom, The Federalism In The 21st Century: Historical Perspectives, Robert J. Kaczorowski

Faculty Scholarship

A plurality on the Supreme Court seeks to establish a state-sovereignty based theory of federalism that imposes sharp limitations on Congress's legislative powers. Using history as authority, they admonish a return to the constitutional "first principles" of the Founders. These "first principles," in their view, attribute all governmental authority to "the consent of the people of each individual state, not the consent of the undifferentiated people of the Nation as a whole." Because the people of each state are the source of all governmental power, they maintain, "where the Constitution is silent about the exercise of a particular power-that is, …


Municipal Home Rule And The Conditions Of Justifiable Secession, Joseph P. Viteritti Jan 1995

Municipal Home Rule And The Conditions Of Justifiable Secession, Joseph P. Viteritti

Fordham Urban Law Journal

This Article suggests a uniform standard by which domestic legislatures may decide current and future secession cases. Part I discusses the philosophical and legal foundations of the Home Rule principle and its relationship to secession. Part II considers secession as a political and legal concept, its underpinnings and the moral arguments on both sides of secession debates. Part III suggests a unified standard by which legislatures may consider secession attempts; and Part IV applies this standard to our prototypical Staten Island case. The article concludes that if the New York State legislature were to apply these uniform criteria to review …


Do We Really Want Ethical Government, John D. Feerick Jan 1992

Do We Really Want Ethical Government, John D. Feerick

Faculty Scholarship

The question I would like to address in this article arises out of my recent work with the New York State Commission on Government Integrity. As you may recall, the Commission was appointed by Governor Cuomo in 1987 following a series of corruption scandals in our State involving officials at all levels of government. It was a nonpartisan group comprised of a former Secretary of State, a former judge of the State's highest court, a prominent civil libertarian, a former federal prosecutor, and other prominent citizens of this State.' The Commission had a very broad mandate. It was directed to …


Inaugural Address Inaugural Address, John D. Feerick Jan 1992

Inaugural Address Inaugural Address, John D. Feerick

Faculty Scholarship

I am honored and humbled to accept the designation of the Nominating Committee and membership to become president of this venerable Association. I feel especially privileged to be the first member of the academic community to be chosen since Robert McKay, who was for me a role model and special friend. In accepting this designation, I become heir to a tradition of remarkable service by the presidents of this Association for more than 120 years. Their names are synonymous with the best of the American legal profession in so many ways, and especially if judged by a standard of commitment …


Beyond The Second Amendment: An Individual Right To Arms Viewed Through The Ninth Amendment , Nicholas J. Johnson Jan 1992

Beyond The Second Amendment: An Individual Right To Arms Viewed Through The Ninth Amendment , Nicholas J. Johnson

Faculty Scholarship

Traditionally, the debate over the individual right to possess firearms has focused on the origins and meaning of the Second Amendment. Some constitutional scholars have dismissed the idea that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to arms. They argue that it only prevents the federal government from disarming states. Other scholars, focusing on the language of the amendment and its historical context, conclude that it does indeed establish an individual right to firearms. This article examines whether, even absent the Second Amendment, the Constitution restrains government from taking away what may be individuals' best tools of self-defense. The foothold …


Making Government Work, Robert W. Linn, Karen Flisek Jan 1992

Making Government Work, Robert W. Linn, Karen Flisek

Fordham Urban Law Journal

For a city or state government to be viable in the last decade of the 20th century, elected leaders must view modern management as a crusade. The work force must receive fair and equitable compensation, and all must be committed to constant quality improvement. Newspapers, magazines, radio and television must report the success stories and the failures. Taxpayers must understand that government services can improve, and the leaders must be held accountable. This is possible throughout the country but it will not happen unless an educated electorate demands it and the elected officials understand the stakes and urgency involved.


A Case Study In Fiscal Federalism: New York City And New York State, Carol O'Cleireacain Jan 1992

A Case Study In Fiscal Federalism: New York City And New York State, Carol O'Cleireacain

Fordham Urban Law Journal

This essay argues that under the current system of American state and local government funding schemes, there is a permanent imbalance between revenues and expenditures as a result of strain placed on local governments by other levels of government which can only be fixed with actions take by these other levels of government. This essay examines the current structure of American "Fiscal Federalism", the recent experience of America's cities with Fiscal Federalism (particularly New York), changing relationship between city and state government, and Governor Mario Cuomo's proposal for a phased-in takeover of Medicaid spending. The author concludes that the Governor's …


A Piece In The Puzzle Of Providing Adequate Housing: Court Effectiveness In Code Enforcement, Sarah H. Ramsey, Fredrick Zolna Jan 1991

A Piece In The Puzzle Of Providing Adequate Housing: Court Effectiveness In Code Enforcement, Sarah H. Ramsey, Fredrick Zolna

Fordham Urban Law Journal

This article provides an overview of the general characteristics of the City of Syracuse, and the efforts of the City to improve housing and its code enforcement system. This overview is designed to relate the Syracuse model to other urban areas that face similar housing problems and share many of the City's demographic attributes. This article proceeds to set out the research methodology and findings of an empirical study of Syracuse's court system. Finally, this article addresses the problems in measuring court effectiveness in code enforcement. This article emphasizes the limits on a court in effecting social changes and suggests …


Mount Laurel And The Fair Housing Act: Success Or Failure? A Presentation By The Affordable Housing Colloquium Of The Seton Hall University Center For Social Justice With An Introduction And Commentary By Paula A. Franzese, Paula A. Franzese, Art Bernard, Peter Van Doren Jan 1991

Mount Laurel And The Fair Housing Act: Success Or Failure? A Presentation By The Affordable Housing Colloquium Of The Seton Hall University Center For Social Justice With An Introduction And Commentary By Paula A. Franzese, Paula A. Franzese, Art Bernard, Peter Van Doren

Fordham Urban Law Journal

This article details a colloquium held by the Seton Hall University University Center for Social Justice concerning affordable housing. This article explores the historical and theoretical underpinnings of the Mount Laurel doctrine, and explores the viability of existing mechanisms to implement the associated constitutional imperative. The first speaker, Mr. Art Bernard, advocates that the current enforcement plan for realizing affordable housing goals is an effective means of enforcement. The second speaker, Professor Peter Van Doren, advocates that the Mount Laurel strategy is fundamentally ineffective, and suggests, in leiu of manipulation of housing market outcomes, that the various efficiency and equity …


The Legality Of Staten Island's Attempt To Secede From New York City, Jeffrey Underweiser Jan 1991

The Legality Of Staten Island's Attempt To Secede From New York City, Jeffrey Underweiser

Fordham Urban Law Journal

This Note argues that, according to judicial interpretations of state and federal constitutions, Staten Island should be allowed to secede from New York City, regardless of the City's position. This Note begins by analyzing the background history of Staten Island's secession and New York City's formation leading up to this case. This Note then analyzes the issue of equal protection under the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution and Article I Section 11 of the New York Constitution. This Note then discusses the Home Rule Doctrine of the New York State Constitution. This Note concludes that, based upon federal …


How Much Does That $8.00 Yankee Ticket Really Cost? An Analysis Of Local Governments' Expenditure Of Public Funds To Maintain, Improve Or Acquire An Athletic Stadium For The Use Of Professional Sports Teams, Student Note Jan 1991

How Much Does That $8.00 Yankee Ticket Really Cost? An Analysis Of Local Governments' Expenditure Of Public Funds To Maintain, Improve Or Acquire An Athletic Stadium For The Use Of Professional Sports Teams, Student Note

Fordham Urban Law Journal

This Note discusses the background of the controversy surrounding the expenditure of public funds for athletic stadiums for use primarily by professional sports teams and discusses the analyses courts have developed to determine a project's legality and constitutionality. THis Note addresses the economic and policy issues involved in the expenditure of public funds in stadium projects, and suggests methods local authorities may use to prevent court challenges of these projects. This Note concludes by delineating the conditions that should be met in order for state governments to expend funds to acquire and maintain sports stadiums.


Municipal Ethical Standards: The Need For A New Approach Report, John D. Feerick, Carol Schachner, Mark Davies, Sherrie Mcnulty, Arthur Fama Jan 1990

Municipal Ethical Standards: The Need For A New Approach Report, John D. Feerick, Carol Schachner, Mark Davies, Sherrie Mcnulty, Arthur Fama

Faculty Scholarship

The New York State Commission on Government Integrity investigated numerous situations throughout the state that revealed just how bad the current law is. Our findings and a pro- posed municipal ethics act that we drafted to correct the law's deficiencies are contained in the following report, "Municipal Ethical Standards: The Need for a New Approach." Our pro- posed Act would set out the minimum ethical standards that should be observed in every municipality throughout the state. The premise here is that there are certain basic features to good government that make sense for all governments, no matter what their size …


Foreword Report: Foreword, John D. Feerick, Cyrus Vance Jan 1989

Foreword Report: Foreword, John D. Feerick, Cyrus Vance

Faculty Scholarship

The last few years have been particularly bad for government integrity in New York. Since 1985, New York City has been rocked by a series of highly publicized scandals, arguably the worst since the days of Tammany Hall. One borough president was convicted of felonies; another committed suicide while under investigation; a congressman was recently convicted of bribery and extortion; former party chairmen in two boroughs were convicted of serious crimes; and a number of agency heads, judges, and lesser officials either have been convicted or forced to resign under a cloud of suspicion. And the City does not have …


Enforcement Provisions Of The Civil Rights Act Of 1866: A Legislative History In Light Of Runyon V. Mccrary, The Review Essay And Comments: Reconstructing Reconstruction, Robert J. Kaczorowski Jan 1988

Enforcement Provisions Of The Civil Rights Act Of 1866: A Legislative History In Light Of Runyon V. Mccrary, The Review Essay And Comments: Reconstructing Reconstruction, Robert J. Kaczorowski

Faculty Scholarship

The purpose of this Comment is to examine the history of the enactment and early enforcement of the Civil Rights Act of 1866 from the perspective of the remedies Congress sought to provide to meet the problems that necessitated the legislation. Its main foci are the statute's enforcement provisions and their early implementation, an aspect of the history of the statute that has not been fully considered in relation to section one, the provision that has received the most scholarly attention. The occasion of this study is the Supreme Court's reconsideration of Runyon v. McCrary' in Patterson v. McLean Credit …


Speech Given At The Fordham University School Of Law On The Occasion Of The Celebration Of The Law Revision Commission's 50th Anniversary December 14, 1984, Carolyn Gentile Jan 1986

Speech Given At The Fordham University School Of Law On The Occasion Of The Celebration Of The Law Revision Commission's 50th Anniversary December 14, 1984, Carolyn Gentile

Fordham Urban Law Journal

In a speech given at Fordham Law School, the speaker describes the history of the New York State Law Revision Commission, including its founding, the procedure by which it operates, and major recommendations and actions the Commission has taken over the years.


Revolutionary Constitutionalism In The Era Of The Civil War And Reconstruction , Robert J. Kaczorowski Jan 1986

Revolutionary Constitutionalism In The Era Of The Civil War And Reconstruction , Robert J. Kaczorowski

Faculty Scholarship

The meaning and scope of the fourteenth amendment and the Civil Rights Act of 1866 remain among the most controversial issues in American constitutional law. Professor Kaczorowski contends that the issues have generated more controversy than they warrant, in part because scholars analyzing the legislative history of the amendment and statute have approached their task with preconceptions reflecting twentieth century legal concerns. He argues that the most important question for the framers was whether national or state governments possessed primary authority to determine and secure the status and rights of American citizens. Relying on records of the congressional debates as …


The Constitutionality Of State And Local Governments' Response To Apartheid: Divestment Legislation, Christine Walsh Jan 1985

The Constitutionality Of State And Local Governments' Response To Apartheid: Divestment Legislation, Christine Walsh

Fordham Urban Law Journal

In response to the realities of apartheid South Africa, many state legislatures promulgated divestment legislation, which mandates the withdrawal of public funds and/or public pension funds from corporations and financial institutions that do business in or with South Africa. This Note discusses state and local governmental such legislation. It then analyzes the constitutional difficulties posed by legislation in the areas of foreign affairs and interstate and foreign commerce. This Note concludes by considering alternatives to the state and local legislation and urges the adoption of federal measures to restrict United States investment in South Africa.


New York City's Locally Based Enterprise Set-Aside: Legitimate Exercise Of Mayoral Power Or Unconstitutional Quota In Disguise? , Stephen L. Weinstein Jan 1984

New York City's Locally Based Enterprise Set-Aside: Legitimate Exercise Of Mayoral Power Or Unconstitutional Quota In Disguise? , Stephen L. Weinstein

Fordham Urban Law Journal

Within the realm of affirmative action, there is disagreement on the means selected to reach the ultimate goal. For example, some programs have involved preferential treatment for members of disadvantaged groups at the expense of those individuals who are not in the minority. Such programs have been challenged on equal protection grounds as "reverse discrimination." In New York City, mayors have implemented executive orders prescribing minority hiring goals and other preferential treatment. Order No. 71, for example, conditioned the awarding of city construction contracts upon submission by the bidder of an affirmative action program. Executive Order No. 53 attempted to …


"Green River Ordinances": Where Does The Burden Belong?, Osborne M. Reynolds, Jr. Jan 1983

"Green River Ordinances": Where Does The Burden Belong?, Osborne M. Reynolds, Jr.

Fordham Urban Law Journal

Over the years, many communities have attempted to restrict door-to-door salespersons. Green River Ordinance is a term derived from an ordinance adopted in Green River, Wyoming, in November, 1931. The measure declared the practice of going in or upon private residences for the purpose of peddling, or soliciting orders for the sale of goods without prior consent of the owners or occupants of the residence a nuisance and subjected such activities to criminal penalties. The popularity of, and controversy over, these ordinances continue to this day.


On Reconciling Finances And Democracy In New York City, Jerome R. Bidinger Jan 1980

On Reconciling Finances And Democracy In New York City, Jerome R. Bidinger

Fordham Urban Law Journal

This article is a book review of "The Streets Were Paved With Gold" authored by Ken Auletta. The book covers New York City's financial difficulties in the 70's and warns that the crisis still exists. While the review is generally positive, it does note the book's failure to analyze some of the deeper reasons behind the financial crisis. The article also calls for further decentralization of the political process and the establishment of new forms of citizen participation in decision making which would lead to a more viable economy.


Note: Using Constitutional Zoning To Neutralize Adult Entertainment - Detroit To New York, Charles T. Fee, Jr. Jan 1977

Note: Using Constitutional Zoning To Neutralize Adult Entertainment - Detroit To New York, Charles T. Fee, Jr.

Fordham Urban Law Journal

In an effort to prevent the spread of businesses specializing in adult entertainment, many cities have utilized zoning ordinances to combat problems in certain neighborhoods. New York City, Boston, and Detroit all have instituted such restrictions. This Note will consider whether the zoning of businesses specializing in adult entertainment is a legitimate exercise of the state's police power, analyzing its potential as a violation of the first amendment and the equal protection clause of the fourteenth amendment. In addition, the Note will examine the validity of using the twenty-first amendment to regulate adult entertainment businesses that serve alcoholic beverages.


The Recodified New York Election Law: A Small Step In The Right Direction, John J. Keohane, Michael A. Vaccari Jan 1977

The Recodified New York Election Law: A Small Step In The Right Direction, John J. Keohane, Michael A. Vaccari

Fordham Urban Law Journal

During the 1976 national and local election campaigns, the New York State Election Law and its "Byzantine" procedures came under withering attack by both the candidates and the press. The inadequacies of the existing law had long been recognized and decried by numerous citizens groups and legislators. The first step toward much-needed substantive election law reform has been taken recently with the passage of an Election Law Recodification Act. The new law, passed under the sponsorship of Assemblyman Melvin H. Miller, Chairman of the Election Law Committee, went into effect on December 1, 1977. The Election Law Recodification is characterized …


Case Note: Constitutional Law - Due Process - Municipal Towing Ordinance Authorizing The Assessment Of Towing Fees And Storage Charges Without Notice And Opportunity For Hearing Violates Due Process, Laurie S. Schaffer Jan 1977

Case Note: Constitutional Law - Due Process - Municipal Towing Ordinance Authorizing The Assessment Of Towing Fees And Storage Charges Without Notice And Opportunity For Hearing Violates Due Process, Laurie S. Schaffer

Fordham Urban Law Journal

a


Note: New York - A City In Crisis: Fiscal Emergency Legislation And The Constitutional Attacks, Gayle Gutekunst-Roth Jan 1977

Note: New York - A City In Crisis: Fiscal Emergency Legislation And The Constitutional Attacks, Gayle Gutekunst-Roth

Fordham Urban Law Journal

Generous spending and, some would add, fiscal mismanagement have been a New York City tradition, putting tremendous pressures on both the City and State budgets. To forestall the deterioration of the City's financial condition and the subsequent collapse of the City itself, the New York State Legislature enacted a series of laws, many of which were feverishly incorporated into the body of State law in extraordinary session. With the creation of public authorities, the authorization of State funds to aid these authorities, and State hindrance of the payment of municipal debt service obligations, came inevitable claims in the courts that …


Book Review: The Roots Of Urban Discontent: Public Policy, Municipal Institutions, And The Ghetto, John Muller Jan 1976

Book Review: The Roots Of Urban Discontent: Public Policy, Municipal Institutions, And The Ghetto, John Muller

Fordham Urban Law Journal

The Roots of Urban Discontent extends significantly the analysis of opinion and attitude surveys undertaken pursuant to the National Advisory Commission's mandate. It is a major addition to the literature comparing urban institutions in American cities; it is also a significant contribution to the study of interactions between urban political and civic leaders and the black population and between blacks and "street-level" agents of selected public service-providing and commercial institutions in American cities in the later 1960s.


The Limits Of State Intervention In A Municipal Fiscal Crisis, Joel E. Cohen Jan 1976

The Limits Of State Intervention In A Municipal Fiscal Crisis, Joel E. Cohen

Fordham Urban Law Journal

Municipal fiscal crises are becoming more frequent, causing the tradition of local control to be questioned. The problems plaguing New York City are but one example of this nation-wide trend. In order to aid the City in overcoming its fiscal crisis, New York State has created two novel agencies, the Municipal Assistance Corporation (MAC) and the Emergency Financial Control Board. MAC's major purpose is to aid the city in meeting its financial requirements, while the Control Board's main function is to monitor the City's spending. One accomplishment of these two organizations has been the implementation of drastic austerity measures that …


A Legal History Of Expense Budgeting In New York City, Archibald F. Robertson, Lucian A. Vecchio Jan 1975

A Legal History Of Expense Budgeting In New York City, Archibald F. Robertson, Lucian A. Vecchio

Fordham Urban Law Journal

An examination of the history of budget-making in the City of New York will show that the City has never operated from a sound, comprehensive budget system. That does not mean that the City has proceeded irresponsibly, or without regulation. Statutes to control the budget have existed in New York City since at least the beginning of the nation itself. And, most commendably, those very first statutes show a proper concern by the City for the needs of all its citizens. The difficulty has been, rather, the lack of a comprehensively drafted body of law to handle, as an integrated …