Actually I agree - the word “punted” was the first that came to mine. They found a way to kick the can back down someone else’s road.
Roberts is loathe to change legislative decisions. This was known when he was nominated.
Thusly he has sent it back to the House (even to statehouses!) transmogrifed as a tax.
This isn't a bad thing. The House can now starve the beast, and even moreso at the State level; while at the same time, every GOP candidate runs on Obama making this the biggest tax increase in history.
The decision might have been good for Bobo looking backwards, but it's a terrible decision in view of his re-election chances.