The U.S. Supreme Court struck down a congressional voting map in Louisiana, adding a new wrinkle to the multistate gerrymandering war, report CalMatters’ Nigel Duara and Maya C. Miller.
On Wednesday the high court upheld an earlier ruling by a federal district court rejecting a 2024 voting map that was redrawn to give Louisiana a second Black-majority district. In the 6-3 ruling, the conservative-leaning court ruled that the map “is an unconstitutional gerrymander.”
The ruling likely won’t affect California’s recent redistricting from Proposition 50. But it could nullify the gains Democrats might achieve through Prop. 50 when it comes to the final tally of U.S. House seats.
That’s because the ruling could embolden Republican-led states to draw new congressional boundaries that would give the GOP an advantage: Hours after the court made its decision, Florida Republicans moved quickly to approve a map that could give the GOP four more seats in the House.
In her dissent, Justice Elena Kagan indicated that the consequences of the ruling renders a provision of the Voting Rights Act — which ensures that minority groups are fairly represented in voting maps — “all but a dead letter.”
Top California Democrats also slammed the move. Gov. Gavin Newsom called the decision “outrageous.” In a statement, Rusty Hicks, the chairperson of the California Democratic Party said President Donald Trump’s “Supreme Court is doing all they can to silence voices in our democracy.”
Meanwhile, conservatives and the Trump administration celebrated the news. Abigail Jackson, a White House spokesperson called it a “complete and total victory for American voters.”
- Chris Kieser, senior attorney with the Pacific Legal Foundation: “The very idea of … having a candidate of their choice is kind of antithetical to democracy. Voting is an individual right, it’s not a group right.”
The CalMatters Ideas Festival convenes policymakers, journalists and community leaders for conversations about the issues shaping California, including a main stage discussion with The Lincoln Project. Join us on May 21 in Sacramento. Purchase tickets before early bird pricing ends May 4.
Other Stories You Should Know
See who’s vying to be lieutenant governor
Though the role of California’s lieutenant governor is largely symbolic, the person who holds the position serves as a board member for the state’s public higher education system, and is next in command if the governor vacates the office, is out of state or cannot fulfill their duties otherwise.
Among the more than a dozen candidates, CalMatters’ Nadia Lathan takes a look at the leading five candidates to learn more about what they’d do if elected.
- Josh Fryday, Democrat: A current member of Newsom’s cabinet who has the governor’s endorsement, Fryday said one of his top priorities would be to get California colleges to credential more trade workers to help build more clean energy projects.
- Janelle Kellman, Democrat: The former Sausalito mayor says she wants to make community college free and expand job training programs.
- Fiona Ma, Democrat: Endorsed by the California Democratic Party, Ma says she supports partnering more with private companies to lease out spaces at California State universities to help generate revenue.
- Gloria Romero, Republican: The former Democrat supports school vouchers that enable parents to use taxpayer dollars to pay for private education, and cutting remedial coursework to help bring down tuition costs.
- Michael Tubbs, Democrat: The former Stockton mayor said he would support freezing tuition at public colleges by cutting “administrative bloat,” and make programs for in-demand industries, such as nursing, more efficient.
An attempt to help green-card holders get small business loans
From CalMatters economy reporter Levi Sumagaysay:
Members of Congress this week introduced federal legislation to roll back Trump administration policies that bar green-card holders from obtaining Small Business Administration loans.
CalMatters reported last month that more than 220,000 permanent legal residents in California could be affected by the new SBA policies. That could hinder business creation and growth in a state where about 40% of the business community is made up of immigrants.
The SBA has said the changes affecting green-card holders, which took effect in March and April, were part of the administration’s goal to “ensure more American citizens have access to funding.”
U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat, said in introducing his bill that SBA lending is down 32% since the SBA started rolling back Biden-era policies last summer.
- U.S. Rep. Lateefah Simon of the Bay Area, at the press conference: “Our cities were built and are sustained every single day by immigrants. … We should be expanding opportunity, not restricting it.”
And lastly: San Diego County steps in for the arts
After San Diego’s mayor released a city budget plan that guts arts funding, San Diego County supervisors unveiled a proposal Wednesday to spend up to $2.75 million dollars for art programs in the county’s cities. The grant program would include money to make creative spaces more accessible and support an existing Black arts and culture district. Read more from CalMatters’ Deborah Brennan.
California Voices
CalMatters columnist Dan Walters: The Supreme Court’s ruling gives California Democratic party leaders another reason to eliminate the redistricting commission, while Republicans could contend California’s recent maps are unconstitutional under the court’s new standard.
CalMatters contributor Jim Newton: The memoir of Spencer Pratt, a reality TV personality and candidate for Los Angeles mayor, reveals a person who squanders his income, compromises his principles and blames his setbacks on others.
ADHD in adults is rarely discussed and often misunderstood, but recognizing how people can have diverse ways of thinking is essential to building stronger institutions, writes Ronald Gonzales-Lawrence, director of governmental relations at Pomona Unified School District.
Other things worth your time:
Congressman opens investigation into Trump administration’s involvement in CA dam removal // San Francisco Chronicle
Assembly leaders redefine state superintendent’s role, demand more oversight // EdSource
Why Tesla is making sure CA can’t get rid of Elon // Politico
Board won’t censure Shasta election official despite investigation findings of threats of violence against staff // Shasta Scout
What SF cops said during chaotic ICE arrest at SFO // The San Francisco Standard
Judge confirms identity of key FBI informant in corruption case of former Oakland mayor // KQED
CA High-Speed Rail plan ‘lacks transparency’ on Central Valley station changes, LAO says // The Fresno Bee
Add a $1B detour for CA high-speed rail to Cesar Chavez’s legacy // The San Francisco Chronicle
Will cameras actually curb speeding in LA? SF offers a clue // Los Angeles Times
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