FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE

NEWS RELEASE # 105

FROM: CLERK OF SUPREME COURT OF LOUISIANA

On the 15th day of October, 1996 , the following action was taken by the Supreme Court of Louisiana in the case(s) listed below:
 

BY WATSON, J. :

96-CA- 2204 CHARLES A. BROWN D/B/A TRIAMBIENT LOUNGE AND RESTAURANT v. STATE OF LOUISIANA, THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS, LOUISIANA GAMING CONTROL BOARD (Parish of East Baton Rouge)

R.S.27:13(C)(6) is clearly unconstitutional under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution insofar as it prohibits contributions to committees supporting or opposing ballot measures. The equal protection question is pertermitted. The trial court correctly found the law unconstitutional in part and granted a preliminary injunction. The trial court judgment is affirmed. The State of Louisiana and the Louisiana Gaming Control Board are enjoined against enforcing R.S. 27:13(C)(6) and Emergency Rule 107 insofar as they prohibit contributions, expenditures and loans to independent committees unconnected with candidates. Any rehearing application must be filed within forty-eight hours of rendition of this opinion, which is handed down at 2:35 p.m., October 15, 1996.

AFFIRMED. INJUNCTION ISSUED. REHEARING DELAY LIMITED TO FORTY-EIGHT HOURS.

VICTORY, J. - not on panel. Rule IV, Part 2, Section 3.

BLEICH, J. - dissents and assigns reasons.