Justices nix quick release of health care argument audio
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court is saying no to calls for the speedy release of the audio of today's high-stakes argument about tax subsidies that are critical to President Barack Obama's health overhaul.
Court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg offered no explanation Monday in saying the justices have rejected requests from The Associated Press, C-SPAN and others to have the audio posted online shortly after the argument concludes on today.
The court made available same-day audio in the first health overhaul case in 2012 and in the gay marriage cases in 2013. It generally posts argument audio on its website on the Friday after a case is heard.
Arberg said the court has yet to decide about early release of audio for this term's gay marriage cases, scheduled for the last week in April.
Court won't hear appeal in foam class action case
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court won't hear an appeal from a group of flexible foam manufacturers challenging one of the largest class action lawsuits ever certified.
The justices on Monday let stand a lower court ruling that allowed a lawsuit to go forward that seeks more than $9 billion in damages against Carpenter Co., Woodbridge Foam Corp. and others.
Buyers of flexible foam products including seat cushions, foam pillows and mattresses allege the manufacturers were involved in a decades-long conspiracy to fix the price of polyurethane foam.
The companies claim there is not enough in common between various purchasers of the foam products to allow a class action to proceed. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected that argument.
California dispute over disclosing donors rejected
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court has turned away an appeal from same-sex marriage opponents in California who want to keep the identities of their campaign donors secret.
The justices on Monday let stand a lower court ruling against ProtectMarriage.com, the National Organization for Marriage and other supporters of a 2008 ballot initiative that outlawed same-sex marriages in California until the ban was overturned five years later.
The groups sought to conceal their past and future campaign finance records because they feared harassment of donors. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against them in part because the names have been publicly available for five years.
State law requires political committees to identify those who contribute more than $100 during or after a campaign, along with the donor's address, occupation and employer.
Published: Wed, Mar 04, 2015
