SUPREME COURT NOTEBOOK

Court stays out of Conn. layoff case WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from former Connecticut Gov. John G. Rowland over claims his administration violated state employees' constitutional rights when it laid off 2,800 workers based on their union membership in 2003. The justices did not comment Tuesday in turning away Rowland's appeal, including his contention that the case could have national implications because it would hamper governors during labor negotiations. Last year, the New York-based federal appeals court ruled against the Rowland administration and ordered a trial judge to decide on an award for the laid-off employees. The appeals court also ruled that Rowland and his then-budget director, Marc Ryan, could be sued individually. Justice Sonia Sotomayor did not take part in the court's consideration of the case. She previously served on the appeals court. Justices uphold reapportionment plan in Hawaii WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court has upheld Hawaii's reapportionment plan that leaves out some military personnel and students when calculating population and determining state legislative districts. The justices affirmed a lower court ruling without comment Tuesday. Voters challenging the reapportionment plan said it wrongfully excluded more than 108,000 military members, their families and university students. But a three-judge court in Hawaii found that the plan did not violate the Constitution's right to equal protection. The case is Kostick v. Nago, 13-456. Published: Thu, Jan 23, 2014