Edwards V. Department Of Transportation

Roger Edwards, a Department of Transportation engineer, appeals a determination by the Thurston County Superior Court that disciplinary action taken by the Department did not violate his right to free expression. He also appeals that court's failure to award him more than nominal damages for what it found was the Department's violation of his due process rights. The Department cross-appeals, claiming that the trial court erred in rejecting the claim of qualified immunity of one of the defendants, Robert Dugan, and in determining that Edwards was entitled to a hearing before his salary was reduced. We reverse the trial court's ruling on the free expression issue and remand for a determination of damages. We affirm the trial court in all other respects.