U.S. Supreme Court

Health

Will California restock its emergency reserve of abortion pills after today’s Supreme Court hearing?

California bought and distributed a quarter of a million abortion pills, fearing a federal ban. At today’s Supreme Court hearing, the justices seemed hesitant to limit access.

By

Kristen Hwang

• March 26, 2024

Volunteers Aleta Barthell surveys Vickie Traylor, a resident experiencing homelessness, for the annual point-in-time count in San Diego on Jan. 25, 2024. The voluntary survey is a federally mandated requirement to gather data on the region's homeless population. Photo by Adriana Heldiz, CalMatters

Commentary

Supreme Court homelessness case holds extra significance for Black Californians

The long history of redlining and downzoning helped create the racial disparities in California's homeless population. The barriers impeding housing development and access for Black communities must be addressed – and fast.

By Jackson Huston • February 28, 2024

A homeless camp outside the PATH apartment complex in Los Angeles on Nov. 17, 2021. Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Commentary

Whatever the Supreme Court decides, California can’t keep criminalizing homelessness

A lot is at stake with the U.S. Supreme Court agreeing to hear a case that determines how and when cities can clear homeless camps. The Eighth Amendment has been largely settled for decades, but the conservative court seems determined to set the clock back.

By Jeffrey Selbin • January 17, 2024

Social media applications on a smartphone screen. Photo via iStock Photo

Commentary

How a Supreme Court immigration case could help California regulate social media

A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling involving free speech protections and immigration law reaffirmed a longstanding view that could help lawmakers in California and elsewhere attempting to regulate harmful social media algorithms.

By

Guest Commentary

• July 24, 2023

Students walk on campus at Fresno City College on Oct. 3, 2022. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Commentary

California student: I have college loans but don’t want my debt forgiven. Here’s why

The U.S. Supreme Court struck down President Biden's plan to forgive student debt, but a UC Berkeley student isn't disappointed by the decision. Instead, she argues, leaders should make community college free so more students can enter higher education and develop the necessary skills for economic mobility.

By

Guest Commentary

• July 10, 2023

Demonstrators for and against the U.S. Supreme Court decision to strike down race-conscious student admissions programs at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina confront each other, in Washington D.C. on June 29, 2023. Photo by Evelyn Hockstein, AP Photo

Commentary

What the Supreme Court affirmative action ruling means for California

The U.S. Supreme Court this week rejected affirmative action in university admissions, ruling that race-conscious decisions are unconstitutional. The decision will have a limited impact on the UC system, but private schools like Stanford will be heavily affected.

By

Guest Commentary

• June 30, 2023

The Edward Roybal Federal Building and courthouse in downtown Los Angeles on March 13, 2019. Photo by Kyle Grillot, Reuters

Commentary

When California laws go too far, the courts intervene

California politicians are fond of enacting groundbreaking laws, but sometimes they go too far and violate federal laws, including the U.S. Constitution.

By

Dan Walters

• May 2, 2023

Protesters cheer during a Planned Parenthood rally in support of abortion access outside the Supreme Court in Washington on April. 15, 2023. Photo by Nathan Howard, AP Photo

Health

Supreme Court upholds approval of abortion pill — what it means for Californians

The court decision preserves the FDA's approval of the abortion pill mifepristone until a lower federal court hears the case. California legislators and officials vow to protect abortion rights no matter the final outcome of the case.

By

Kristen Hwang

• April 21, 2023

Illustration by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters; iStock

Commentary

Supreme Court redistricting case could allow Democrats to gerrymander California

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments this week for a Republican-led case about redistricting authority. In California, it could give Democrats absolute power over the drawing of congressional maps.

By

Guest Commentary

• December 5, 2022

Young pigs feed in a pen during a hog farm tour in Ryan, Iowa, U.S., May 18, 2019. Photo by Ben Brewer, Reuters

Commentary

California voters wanted stronger pork laws. The Supreme Court should respect that

A 2018 California law creating strict pork regulations is justified given the public health threat to humans and the various types of harm pigs suffer under severe confinement.

By

Guest Commentary

• November 30, 2022