Record returned to U.S.C.A. for 1st Circuit.

Record returned to U.S.D.C.. for the District of Maine.

Judgment Issued

Adjudged to be AFFIRMED. Breyer, J., delivered the opinion for a unanimous Court. Alito, J., filed a concurring opinion, in which Roberts, C. J., and Scalia, J., joined. (orders list)

Argued. For petitioners: W. James Young, Springfield, Va. For respondents: Jeremiah A. Collins, Washington, D.C.

Reply of petitioners Daniel B. Locke, et al. filed. (Distributed)

Motion of the Acting Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument DENIED. (orders list)

Application (08A190) granted by Justice Souter extending the time to file until September 11, 2008.

Application (08A190) to extend the time to file a reply brief on the merits from September 8, 2008 to September 11, 2008, submitted to Justice Souter.

Record received from the U.S.D.C. for the District of Maine. (1 box)

Record received from the U.S.C.A. for the First Circuit. (1 box)

Petitioners' opposition to motion of the Acting Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument filed.

Motion of the Acting Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument filed.

Brief of respondents Maine State Employees Association, SEIU Local 1989 filed. (Distributed)

CIRCULATED

SET FOR ARGUMENT ON Monday, October 6, 2008.

Application (07A961) granted by Justice Souter for an extension of time within which to file petitioners' reply brief on the merits to and including September 8, 2008.

Application (07A961) for an extension of time within which to file petitioners' reply brief on the merits to and including September 8, 2008, submitted to Justice Souter.

Motion for leave to file amici brief filed by Pacific Legal Foundation, et al. GRANTED. (orders list)

The time within which to file respondents' briefs on the merits is further extended to and including July 17, 2008.

The time within which to file respondents' briefs on the merits is extended to and including July 7, 2008.

Brief amicus curiae of United States filed.

Brief amicus curiae of Commonwealth of Virginia in support of neither party filed.

Motion for leave to file amici brief filed by Pacific Legal Foundation, et al.

Brief of petitioners Daniel B. Locke, et al. filed.

Joint appendix filed. (Statement of costs received)

The time within which to file the joint appendix and petitioners' brief on the merits is extended to and including May 5, 2008.

Petition GRANTED. (orders list)

Reply of petitioners Daniel B. Locke, et al. filed. (Distributed)

DISTRIBUTED for Conference of February 15, 2008.

Brief of respondent Maine State Employees Association, SEIU Local 1989 in opposition filed.

Waiver of right of respondents Edward A. Karass, State Controller, et al. to respond filed.

Order extending time to file response to petition to and including January 9, 2008, for all respondents.

Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due December 10, 2007)

Daniel B. Locke, et al., Petitioner, represented by W. James Young

Edward A. Karass, State Controller, et al., Respondent, represented by Philip J. Moss

Edward A. Karass, State Controller, et al., Respondent, represented by William H. Laubenstein III

Maine State Employees Association, SEIU Local 1989, Respondent, represented by Jeremiah A. Collins

Commonwealth of Virginia, Amicus Curiae, represented by William E. Thro

nited States, Amicus Curiae, represented by Edwin S. Kneedler

Pacific Legal Foundation, et al., Amicus Curiae, represented by Sharon L. Browne