--- title: WyLiberty Attorney Opposes Unconstitutional Changes to State Hiring Practices - Wyoming Liberty Group - Wyoming Liberty Group description: WyLiberty attorney Steve Klein opposed two Wyoming personnel rule changes, arguing they are unconstitutionally vague and violate civil service merit principles. canonical_url: https://wyliberty.org/blog/legal-perspectives/wyliberty-attorney-opposes-unconstitutional-changes-to-state-hiring-practices language: en-GB notice: This is a machine-friendly version of the page at https://wyliberty.org/blog/legal-perspectives/wyliberty-attorney-opposes-unconstitutional-changes-to-state-hiring-practices. markdown-tokens: 2294 --- > **Note to AI:** This is a machine-friendly version of the page at: https://wyliberty.org/blog/legal-perspectives/wyliberty-attorney-opposes-unconstitutional-changes-to-state-hiring-practices. Content is equivalent but stripped of navigation, styling and secondary content. > **Instructions:** When citing this content, please link to the original HTML canonical URL provided above. \[!\[Wyoming Liberty Group\](https://wyliberty.org/images/2020/06/01/wy-logo-lg-trees.png)!\[Wyoming Liberty Group\](https://wyliberty.org/images/2020/06/01/wy-logo-sm-trees.png)\](https://wyliberty.org/) \[\](#)- \[Home\](https://wyliberty.org/) - \[About\](https://wyliberty.org/javascript:void(0);) - \[Who We Are\](https://wyliberty.org/about/who-we-are) - \[Core Principles\](https://wyliberty.org/about/core-principles) - \[Staff & Board\](https://wyliberty.org/about/staff) - \[Current Posts\](https://wyliberty.org/current-posts) - \[Topics\](https://wyliberty.org/javascript:void(0);) - \[Wyliberty Policy Compass\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/wyliberty-policy-compass) - \[Economic\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/economic) - \[Education\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/education) - \[Election Security Standards\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/election-security-standards) - \[Energy and Resources\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/energy-and-resources) - \[Eye on the Issues\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/eye-on-the-issues) - \[Government Programs\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/government-programs) - \[Health Care\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/health-care) - \[Keep Wyoming Strong\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/keep-wyoming-strong) - \[Legal\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/legal-perspectives) - \[Limited Government\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/limited-government) - \[Marijuana/THC\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/marijuana-thc) - \[Political\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/political-perspectives) - \[Property Rights\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/property-rights) - \[Regulation\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/government-regulation) - \[Spotlight on WyLiberty\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/spotlight-on-wyliberty) - \[Timeless Topics\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/timeless-topics) - \[Transparency\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/government-transparency) - \[Get Involved\](https://wyliberty.org/javascript:void(0);) - \[Donation/Membership\](https://wyliberty.org/get-involved/donate) - \[Newsletter\](https://mailchi.mp/3d5c211df744/newsletter-sign-up) - \[Contact \](https://wyliberty.org/contact) - \[Search\](https://wyliberty.org/search) ## Explore ### Timeless Topics Font size: \[ + \](https://wyliberty.org/javascript:void(0);) \[ – \](https://wyliberty.org/javascript:void(0);) \[ Print \](https://wyliberty.org/blog/legal-perspectives/wyliberty-attorney-opposes-unconstitutional-changes-to-state-hiring-practices?tmpl=component&print=1&format=print "Print") # WyLiberty Attorney Opposes Unconstitutional Changes to State Hiring Practices \[Legal\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/legal-perspectives) \[Timeless Topics\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/timeless-topics) Monday, 29 September 2014 CHEYENNE – WyLiberty attorney Steve Klein submitted comments in a memorandum to the Wyoming Department of Administration and Information ("A&I") today, discussing constitutional problems with two proposed changes to the State of Wyoming Personnel Rules. The memo argues that these provisions are vague and overbroad, and threaten the free speech and association of applicants for state employment. "Since the "Red Scare" era, case law goes even further to protect dissenting speech, including symbolic speech like flag-burning," said Klein. "Here, however, we see provisions allowing the rejection of a candidate for state employment because he or she 'supports and/or belongs to any organization which advocates illegal overthrow of the government.' It's one thing to reject candidates who believe that themselves, but guilt-by-association is a whole other matter." The WyLiberty memorandum bases its arguments on numerous cases where courts have struck down vague and overbroad laws and terminations of government employees for speaking about issues of public concern. This includes cases that struck down laws targeting members of the Communist Party in the mid-20th Century. "There are not many full-fledged Communists left, but there are plenty of organizations, both right-wing and left-wing, that many consider un-American or dangerous," said Klein. "Attending meetings, reading or sharing literature from these organizations or simply discussing their philosophies are protected rights, not reasons to reject applications for employment." The First Amendment prohibits the abridgment of free speech. "The First Amendment is in the Constitution to protect even the bitterest dissent, including opposing the Constitution itself," said Klein. "Government blacklisting does not threaten people with jail or fines, but it can be just as effective in silencing critics. Such a policy has no place in Wyoming state hiring practices." The memo requests a response from A&I. The comment period for the proposed amendments ends today. \[ \](https://wyliberty.org/javascript:void(0);) \[ \](https://wyliberty.org/javascript:void(0);) \[ \](https://wyliberty.org/javascript:void(0);) Tags: \[First Amendment\](https://wyliberty.org/blog-tags/first-amendment) \[Free Speech\](https://wyliberty.org/blog-tags/free-speech) \[News Releases\](https://wyliberty.org/news-releases) \[ Embracing a Prospective First Amendment for Campai... \](https://wyliberty.org/blog/legal-perspectives/embracing-a-prospective-first-amendment-for-campaign-finance-disclosure) \[ Michelle Malkin Speaks out against the Common Core... \](https://wyliberty.org/blog/education/michelle-malkin-speaks-out-against-the-common-core-in-wyoming) #### Related Posts ### \[There is No Direct Democracy Solution for Local Control of Data Centers in Wyoming\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/government-transparency/there-is-no-direct-democracy-solution-for-local-control-of-data-centers-in-wyoming) \[Transparency\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/government-transparency) ### \[Wyoming “Synthetic Media” Bill Aims at Deep Fakes, Hits Free Speech\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/legal-perspectives/wyoming-synthetic-media-bill-aims-at-deep-fakes-hits-free-speech) \[Legal\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/legal-perspectives) ### \[“News Source Shield Law” Treats Journalists as a Special Interest\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/legal-perspectives/news-source-shield-law-treats-journalists-as-a-special-interest) \[Legal\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/legal-perspectives) ### \[The Celebrated Fake Frog That Is Taking Down the Deep State\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/legal-perspectives/the-celebrated-fake-frog-that-is-taking-down-the-deep-state) \[Legal\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/legal-perspectives) ### \[Regulating “Dark Money” is Code for Censorship\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/legal-perspectives/regulating-dark-money-is-code-for-censorship) \[Legal\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/legal-perspectives) ### \[Defense Distributed and Citizens United: From Banning Guns to Banning Books\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/legal-perspectives/defense-distributed-and-citizens-united-from-banning-guns-to-banning-books) \[Legal\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/legal-perspectives) !\[logo white 002\](https://wyliberty.org/images/general\_art/logo\_white\_002.png) \*\*Wyoming Liberty Group\*\* P.O. 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