A federal judge says he plans to rule soon on whether to block an Arkansas law that requires government contractors to either pledge to not boycott Israel or reduce their fees by 20 percent.
U.S. District Judge Brian Miller heard arguments Friday from attorneys for the state and the Arkansas Times newspaper, which is challenging the law as unconstitutional. The Times has said the University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College refused to contract for advertising with it unless the newspaper signed the pledge.
Attorneys for the Times said the newspaper isn't boycotting Israel, but said signing the pledge would endorse the idea that the government can require contractors to take a political position. Attorneys for the state said signing the certification would just state a fact.