Judge: Hobby Lobby Won’t Have to Pay Fines

[rug]

By AP / Kelly P. Kissel June 28, 2013

(OKLAHOMA CITY) — A federal judge says Hobby Lobby and a sister company will not be subject to daily fines for refusing certain birth-control for workers.

U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton on Friday set a hearing for July 19 on claims by Hobby Lobby and the Mardel Christian bookstore chain that they should not have to provide some types of birth control, as required under the federal health care overhaul.

The companies faced fines totaling $1.3 million daily beginning Monday. But Heaton ordered the federal government to not impose a penalty.

An appeals court said Thursday the companies could fight the new law on religious grounds but Heaton first had to reconsider an injunction request. Heaton said Hobby Lobby showed it would suffer consequences and that an injunction was in the public interest

http://nation.time.com/2013/06/28/judge-hobby-lobby-wont-have-to-pay-fines/

The temporary restraining order issued today after the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals decision yesterday.

http://www.becketfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Hobby-Lobby-TRO.pdf

The Tenth Circuit decision (165 pages):

http://www.ca10.uscourts.gov/opinions/12/12-6294.pdf

[niyad]

1. what utter bs. the consequences? losing some of their profits from their cheap, made with

chinese slave-labour products?

[rug]

2. At least it's only a temporary restraing order pending a full hearing.

The appellate decision is the real problem. Take the time to read it.

[niyad]

3. will bookmark for later and thanks. cannot handle it tonight.

[niyad]

4. the last time I was in hobby lobby was the LAST TIME I was in hobby lobby, and this was years ago.

I had gone to the restroom, which was down a pretty dark hallway that was crowded with boxes. just to the side of the door, I noticed a little sign, which was difficult to read in that light. don't remember the exact wording, but basically it said that, in entering the store, you gave them the right to follow you out the door and search you, your car, and all your belongings, if, for any reason, they suspected you of shoplifting or any sort of wrongdoing.

my friend and I both demanded to speak to the manager, and said, if that was their policy (and probably illegal, at that) that they had damned well better put it in LARGE letters at the entrance, so that people could decide whether they wanted to shop there.

[rug]

5. Those mindsets tend to go hand in hand.

[niyad]

6. I just found out the other day that mardel is actually part of their corporation, figures, though.

won't ever be setting foot in either one.

[cbayer]

7. Is it common for fines to be waived when a case is being appealed?

[rug]

8. They're not waived. If Hobby Lobby loses they'll have to be paid.

Accordingly, the defendants, their agents, officers, and employees are temporarily ENJOINED and RESTRAINED from any effort to apply or enforce, as to plaintiffs, the substantive requirements imposed in 42 U.S.C. § 300gg-13(a)(4) and at issue in this case, or he penalties related thereto, pending a hearing on plaintiffs’ motion for preliminary injunction.

The government can't enforce or collect until the restraining order is lifted but the government is still running a tab.

Of course, if Hobby Lobby does ultimately win, they won't pay anything.

[cbayer]

9. That seems to make sense to me.

I think (hope) Hobby Lobby will lose.