Judge asks for more briefs in tour guide licensing case
A federal judge has adjouned until May 1 a hearing on a a challenge to a Philadelphia ordinance that would slap fines on guides who do not pass a history test and obtain a license before leading tours through Center City.
A federal judge has adjouned until May 1 a hearing on a a challenge to a Philadelphia ordinance that would slap fines on guides who do not pass a history test and obtain a license before leading tours through Center City.
U.S. District Court Judge Jan Dubois asked both sides to file additional briefs in the case.
The law was supposed to go into effect last October, but the city has not even created the agency that would administer the program let alone drawn up a test.
The ordinance, which Mayor Nutter signed into law in April 2008, was challenged last July by three guides who said it would violate their First Amendment rights to free speech.
The plaintiffs – Ann Boulais, who works for American Trolley Tours; Michael Tait of the Constitutional Walking Tour; and independent contractor Joshua Silver - have said they have no objection to a voluntary program that would certify tour guides. But they oppose to any law that would make participation mandatory and impose fines.
Several other cities test and license tour guides, including Washington, New Orleans, and Savannah, Ga.
