U.S. Supreme Court

A collage-style illustration in green and yellow tones that shows a cut-out photo of President-elect Trump looking up as falling pages of court documents rain down on him. A cut-out photo of the U.S. Supreme Court can be seen in the background.

Politics

We tracked California’s lawsuits against Donald Trump. Here’s where the state won — and lost

California sued Donald Trump 123 times during his first presidency. Trump lost about two-thirds of cases filed against his administration, but that doesn't guarantee the same results this time around.

By

Ana B. Ibarra

and

Ben Christopher

• January 20, 2025

An electric vehicle charging station in Burlingame. Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

Environment

Supreme Court to weigh in on case involving California’s power to clean its air

The Supreme Court justices agreed to review whether oil companies have standing to try to overturn a federal waiver for a California clean-car rule that ramped up electric car sales. The standards are the cornerstone of California's efforts to clean its air and combat climate change.

By

Alejandro Lazo

• December 13, 2024

Tents outside the Federal Courthouse in Los Angeles on April 22, 2024. Photo by Ted Soqui for CalMatters

Commentary

Newsom’s push to enforce anti-camping laws repeats California’s past mistakes on homelessness

Newsom's executive order to enforce sweeps of homeless encampments only harms unhoused people further. Clearing encampments cause people to lose their belongings, connections to family and friends, and dignity — it is not the answer to the homelessness crisis.

By Reba Stevens • July 31, 2024

Politics

The Supreme Court took powers away from federal regulators. Do California rules offer a backstop?

In three rulings the U.S. Supreme Court dealt a body blow to the federal bureaucracy. From healthcare to climate to workers’ rights, California’s rules often go farther.

By

Ben Christopher

• July 10, 2024

Muhammad, who declined to provide his last name, warms his hand at a fire near his tent in Sacramento on Feb. 24, 2022. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Commentary

How the Grants Pass ruling gives California a shot at a better law to address homelessness

By deciding that unsheltered people have no constitutional protection to camp on public property, the divided Supreme Court reflects the political polarization around homelessness — where everyone is correct depending on which side of the glass they choose to look through. What if the legal, moral and policy choice was different?

By Darrell Steinberg • June 28, 2024

Flanked by lawmakers and gun safety advocates, Gov. Gavin Newsom signs new gun legislation into law at the Capitol annex in Sacramento on Sept. 26, 2023. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Politics

Why Gavin Newsom’s gun control constitutional amendment hasn’t gone beyond California

Since Gov. Newsom proposed a 28th Amendment one year ago, there has been far more progress on online petitions than in other state legislatures. His team says the effort will pick up speed in 2025.

By

Alexei Koseff

• June 7, 2024

Commentary

The U.S. Supreme Court just gave California a major opportunity to lower housing costs

A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on housing impact fees has given California lawmakers an opening to address a key barrier to construction: cost.

By Louis Mirante • April 23, 2024

A homeless encampment along the riverbed in San Diego on March 23, 2024. Photo by Kristian Carreon for CalMatters

Homelessness

California leaders take sides in monumental Supreme Court case on homelessness

The U.S. Supreme Court is about to hear a case that will have major implications on homelessness policy in California. Find out where your leaders stand on the issue.

By

Marisa Kendall

• April 18, 2024

New housing construction in Elk Grove on Friday, July 8, 2022. Photo by Rahul Lal, CalMatters

Commentary

California’s high construction costs limit housing. A Supreme Court decision might help

Extremely high construction costs make it difficult for California to solve its housing crisis, but a Supreme Court decision on impact fees could lower some costs.

By

Dan Walters

• April 16, 2024

An unoccupied recovery area and an abortion procedure room at a Planned Parenthood Arizona facility in Tempe on June 30, 2022. Photo by Matt York, AP Photo

Health

California clinics brace for fallout from Arizona abortion ban

Even before the ruling, confusion about abortion restrictions brought Arizona patients, and others, to California health care providers, straining some facilities’ staff.

By

Deborah Brennan

• April 10, 2024