Shockey v. City of Portland

The majority misreads well-established First Amendment1 precedent used to determine the free speech rights of public employees. In so doing, the majority misconstrues the class of speech on which public employees may speak out without fear of retaliation. The majority’s opinion has the potential to discourage disclosures of the sort of information that the public employee is particularly, and often uniquely, able to provide. Thus, the majority’s opinion may deprive the public of valuable information with which to evaluate the performance of elected officials.

Plaintiff, a wastewater mechanic…