Yuba-Sutter Times

Today, the United States Supreme Court issued significant rulings aimed at limiting administrative overreach and enhancing local government authority.

In Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, the Court overturned the Chevron doctrine, a precedent established in 1984 that allowed federal agencies to interpret ambiguous statutes, often bypassing congressional authority. This decision aims to restore legislative power to Congress and ensure greater checks and balances on the Executive branch.

Additionally, in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, the Court ruled that cities can enforce bans on homeless individuals sleeping outdoors in public spaces such as sidewalks and parks. Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) supported this ruling by submitting an amicus brief.

“Today’s rulings knock the administrative state down several pegs and help return our country to its constitutional foundations," stated Congressman LaMalfa. "The past Chevron decision has been used consistently through the decades to hinder innovation and place grave restrictions on farmers, business owners, and even private landowners. Agencies never should have been allowed to usurp Congress's legislative authority, nor reinterpret long settled laws and rules to make up new policies. Courts shouldn’t simply ‘defer’ responsibility to bureaucracies as the experts, as frequently they are weaponized against producers by governments and attorneys. It’s past time for Chevron to have been struck down.”

Regarding Grants Pass, LaMalfa remarked: “In the case of Grants Pass, we in California have seen firsthand what happens when people are allowed to ‘camp’ in public spaces – open air drug markets and threats to nearby residents. Local governments have the right to combat the takeover of public spaces and do what is necessary to preserve public safety.”

Congressman Doug LaMalfa represents California’s First Congressional District, which includes Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba Counties.

###