U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor criticized an Oregon town for passing a law that would punish people for sleeping outside, stating that it could lead to homelessness. The town argued that it was necessary to prevent unsanitary conditions, but Sotomayor countered that it offered no alternative for those with nowhere to sleep.
Gregory Smith of Portland, Oregon, claims a one-digit error on his unemployment application has left him without benefits for weeks, putting his home at risk. Despite repeated attempts to rectify the issue with the Oregon Employment Department, the problem remains unresolved.
Electric vehicles (EVs) play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions compared to gas-powered vehicles. Transitioning to EVs can result in a 30% to 50% decrease in these emissions. Oregon is committed to combating climate change and has adopted Clean Cars Standards to promote the adoption of EVs. The state’s green energy grid, which is transitioning away from fossil fuels, further enhances the environmental benefits of EVs.
The Supreme Court will decide whether three anti-homelessness laws in Grants Pass, Oregon, violate the Eighth Amendment’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment. The laws prohibit sleeping on streets, sidewalks, and other public areas and impose fines that lead to jail time for nonpayment, trapping unhoused individuals in a cycle of debt and incarceration.
