It’s probably been discussed many times before, but I’m going to ask it anyway (and really don’t know the answer):
Why do they wait so long to announce? Why not announce as soon as the two positions — the ruling and the dissent — are written up? Wasn’t that done weeks/months ago?
What is this, reality TV?
Pretty much. It's where we have come to. Pretty sad really.
Good question. And wait until the last day for the known biggie? You’d think they would be above being drama queens. And, the idea they want it announced and then “get out of Dodge”? As if anyone has any access to them anyway.
Because prior to the announcement each of them can still change his mind, or at least amend the written opinion? That would be my guess.
I read some court opinions that have to do with taxes. These opinions are tricky things. A no answer based on one set of reasoning could set up unwanted consequences for other laws or leave the door open for how to craft an acceptable law that accomplishes the same thing. In addition, a well reasoned yes answer could lay the ground work to keep similar laws from ever getting started.
Because the opinions are circulated among the justices as they are prepared and, reportedly, sometimes revised to attract a convergence of opinion. The decision is not a "vote" - there is an initial vote but positions can (and sometimes do) change as opinions are circulated and debated.
Obviously Scalia's dissent had been revised between June 15 and its release, as it referenced the Obama non-deport order.