Cities

Federal Judge Grants Gaetz and Greene Permission to Proceed with Lawsuit Against California Cities, Rejects Blame on Liberal Groups

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Riverside and Anaheim, two cities in California, are facing a lawsuit from the ultraconservative Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) over the cancellation of their political rallies. However, a federal judge allowed the suit to proceed against the cities but dismissed the legal action against liberal organizations that the lawmakers blamed for the cancellations. The judge criticized Gaetz and Greene for suing the groups, calling their allegations a “conspiracy theory” based on speculation. The lawsuit filed by Gaetz and Greene targeted both cities as well as organizations like the League of Women … Read more

The Battle for Climate Justice: States, Counties, and Cities Take on Energy Industry in Massive Lawsuits

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Los Angeles, California and numerous other states, counties, and cities across the country are engaged in an intense legal battle against the US energy industry in state courts. These entities have filed lawsuits against major energy companies like ExxonMobil and Shell, as well as the main trade association for the oil and gas industries, alleging that they have contributed to or facilitated the public nuisance of climate change. The plaintiffs are hopeful that, based on previous mass-tort settlements related to public nuisances, they will be able to secure a massive settlement worth potentially billions of … Read more

Supreme Court to Review Laws Regarding Homeless Camping Rights in Western Cities

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Grants Pass, a city in southwest Oregon, has gained the attention of the Supreme Court as it seeks to challenge lower-court rulings that have complicated efforts to address homelessness in western U.S. cities. The court has agreed to review these rulings, which have made it more difficult for municipalities to prevent individuals from sleeping on the streets when there is a lack of available space in homeless shelters. This issue has been exacerbated by rising housing costs and income inequality, leading to a surge in homelessness across the region. The case is further supported by … Read more

Supreme Court to Review Rulings on Homelessness and Sleeping on Streets in Western US Cities

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has agreed to review lower-court decisions that make it more difficult for cities in the western United States to regulate homelessness. The court’s decision to hear the appeal comes after recent rulings by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that blocked anti-camping ordinances in San Francisco and restricted the enforcement of local ordinances in Grants Pass, Oregon. Grants Pass, with the support of California Governor Gavin Newsom and other elected officials, has sought to address the issue of homelessness caused by rising housing costs and income inequality. Meanwhile, … Read more