A federal judge in Sacramento, CA has ruled that the state legislature can block an overwhelming number of electronic messages to state lawmakers to combat a potential breakdown of its e-mail system, according to wire service reports.
While the constitutional guarantee of free speech extends to the Internet, reasonable restrictions may be imposed as long as they are not content-based, serve a significant government interest and leave other communication channels open, wrote U.S. Magistrate Judge John F. Moulds.
In an order issued last month, Moulds tossed out an anti-tax group’s lawsuit seeking monetary damages and an injunction because a legislative employee blocked delivery of tens of thousands of e-mails sent to the Capitol over a three-day period.
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