The court majority sided with Rep. Laurel Libby, who filed an emergency appeal to restore her ability to vote while her lawsuit over the punishment plays out.
The Democratic-controlled state House censured Libby after claiming her post had violated its code of ethics. She was blocked from speaking and voting on the floor after she refused to apologize.
Libby has argued that the punishment violates free-speech rights. She said the court’s decision restores a voice in the Legislature for the thousands of constituents she represents. “This is a victory not just for my constituents, but for the Constitution itself," she said.
Libby's February post was about a male high school athlete who won a girls’ track competition. She said the student had previously competed in boys’ track. Her post included a photo of the student and first-name identification in quotation marks.
