SCOTUS Decision Imperils Expertise-Based Policymaking

In one of the final decisions of the Supreme Court's 2023-24 term, the conservative majority overturned a 40–year–old precedent, known as “Chevron deference,” which generally requires courts to defer to the expertise of agency rulemakers. 

This precedent has supported tens of thousands of rules implemented by federal agencies to protect workers, consumers, and the environment while also shielding agencies from frivolous lawsuits. 

With this change, all regulations will be much more vulnerable to litigation – which could delay implementation even when the regulations are eventually upheld – and judges will be able to make decisions based on personal opinions rather than the substantive knowledge of agency experts. 

SCOTUS Decision Will Harm People Who Are Homeless

In its recent City of Grants Pass v Johnson decision, the Supreme Court ruled that people without homes who sleep outdoors aren’t covered by the Constitution’s protections against cruel and unusual punishment. This ruling will make homelessness drastically worse, fails to address the dire shortage of affordable housing, and harms the 250,000+ people who sleep outdoors and millions who are at risk of homelessness. 

Read and share CLASP’s social media coverage on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Olivia Golden Returns as Interim Executive Director

Olivia Golden, who served as the organization’s executive director from 2013 until 2022, will return as interim executive director on Monday, July 15. She has committed to serve at least through the end of 2024. Many thanks to Patrick Corvington, CLASP’s chief of staff, who served as acting interim executive director over the last month. Welcome back, Olivia!

A newly released analysis by CLASP examines variations in eligibility and access to Child Care and Development Block Grant subsidies in 2020. Massachusetts-based NPR affiliate WBUR covered CLASP’s analysis. Reporters from other states have interviewed CLASP experts on our analysis of their state data.