Supreme Court Decisions

Tent City Bay Area

The Fight Continues Against Criminalization of Homelessness

Though disappointed in the Supreme Court’s ruling allowing sleeping bans, homeless advocates are energized and organizing around other solutions.

August 13, 2024 - Shelterforce Magazine

Close-up of red and white "No camping - Violators subject to arrest" sign.

ACLU Sues Washington State for Anti-Camping Laws

In the first legal challenges since June’s U.S. Supreme Court decision that cities can enforce outdoor sleeping bans, the ACLU filed a lawsuit alleging Washington’s anti-camping laws violate the state constitution.

August 6, 2024 - Associated Press via ABC News

A orange-and-blue tent set up next to a tree in a paved courtyard and a cardboard box of posessions next to the tent entrance.

U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Camping Bans, but Challenges of Addressing Homelessness Remain

In Grants Pass v. Johnson, the Supreme Court upheld an Oregon city’s ban on camping in public places, paving the way for similar bans in cities across the country but doing nothing to solve the cause of homelessness.

July 8, 2024 - Brian J. Connolly

U.S. Supreme Court

Will the Supreme Court’s Chevron Decision Impact Environmental Regulations?

By overturning the Chevron doctrine, the Supreme Court stripped federal agencies like the EPA of final say when interpreting ambiguous legislative policies, leaving future decisions up to judges.

July 1, 2024 - Grist

Navajo Generating Station, a coal-fired steam plant near Page, Arizona.

The Inflation Reduction Act's Secret Climate Weapon

While the impact on inflation of the questionably-titled Inflation Reduction Act remains to be seen, the law will mitigate the damage done by a landmark Supreme Court case in June that gutted the EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.

September 1, 2022 - The New York Times

The exterior of the U.S. Supreme Court, with an American flag flying above its large columns and white marble exterior.

Supreme Court: OSHA Exceeded its Public Health Authority

The Supreme Court ruled that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration had overreached its authority to protect the health of workers in large private companies. In a separate decision, it upheld a vaccine mandate for most healthcare workers.

January 18, 2022 - The New York Times

Supreme Court Statue

U.S. Supreme Court Upholds New York State Vaccine Mandate

Health care workers in New York will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 after the Supreme Court voted 6-3 to reject hearing an appeal brought by workers who had sought a religious exemption. Also, an update on the federal vaccine mandate.

December 20, 2021 - The New York Times

An image of the Sample Gates at the entrance of the college campus of Indiana University Bloomington, with a street and the city in the background.

Supreme Court Allows Indiana University's Vaccine Mandate to Remain in Place

The Supreme Court rejected a request brought by students to block Indiana University from requiring COVID-19 vaccinations. Students, faculty, and staff are required to be fully vaccinated by August 15.

August 16, 2021 - USA Today

Oil Pipeline

Supreme Court Clears Way for Pipeline to Cross the Appalachian Trail

The U.S. Supreme Court resolved a question of permitting jurisdiction to clear the way for the $8 billion Atlantic Coast Pipeline to tunnel underneath the Appalachian Trail.

June 16, 2020 - The Hill

Supreme Court Statue

Did the Supreme Court End the 'Retail Apocalypse'?

The decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair certainly didn't hurt traditional retailers, but they're still going to have to help themselves in the face of competition from online retail.

June 24, 2018 - Globe St.

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This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

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