The Supreme Court ruled this week to limit the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority to enforce the Clean Water Act. Justice Samuel Alito wrote the majority decision, stating that the regulation applies only to “wetlands with a continuous surface connection to bodies that are waters of the United States in their own rights.” The case was brought by a couple whose construction on a home near a lake in Idaho was stopped by the EPA due to “temporary“ wetlands.
The high court justices also decided in favor of a Minnesota woman whose property had been seized and sold by the county to pay back taxes. The argument was that county officials violated the 5th Amendment’s Takings Clause by keeping the proceeds above the amount of taxes owed.
“A taxpayer who loses her $40,000 house to the State to fulfill a $15,000 tax debt has made a far greater contribution to the public fisc than she owed,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the majority opinion. “The taxpayer must render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, but no more.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For the Supreme Court justices as they render opinions on cases they have heard.
- For wisdom for the justices as they issue decisions that have far-reaching impact.
- For the president and his administration as they consider individuals for nomination to various posts in the government.
