California’s Supreme Court may alter tax-raising authority in the Golden State
The California Supreme Court is considering a crucial decision on a ballot measure related to tax increases before the November elections. The Taxpayer Protection Act aims to mandate voter approval for new state taxes and requires a two-thirds vote for local tax hikes. Approval by the court could lead to its inclusion on the November ballot for Californians. Your provided summary is concise and captures the key points effectively. It highlights the California Supreme Court’s evaluation of a ballot measure concerning tax increases, the provisions of the Taxpayer Protection Act, and the potential implications of court approval.
The California Supreme Court is set to weigh in on whether a ballot measure, which would be another step before allowing tax increases, can be placed before voters in November as Democrats in the state voice their opposition.
The Taxpayer Protection Act would require that any new taxes passed by the state legislature would need to be approved by voters, while mandating that local taxes may only be raised with a two-thirds approval from voters. If the court approves the bill, it would appear before Californians in November alongside the House, Senate, and presidential races.
The high court in the Golden State heard arguments for the case on Wednesday, with lawyers for Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) and state Democratic leaders imploring the court to block the ballot measure. The lawyers for Newsom and other Democrats argue the measure would be unconstitutional by removing sole power away from the legislature and governor.
“From the founding of the state, the Legislature has had the supreme power of taxation and this measure would revoke that power for the first time in the history of California,” Margaret Prinzing, an attorney making the case for state Democratic leaders, told the court, according to Politico.
The lawyers defending the ballot measure argued that the high court should leave the matter to voters rather than making a “political judgment” by taking it off of the ballot. Supporters also argued that opposition was “based not on evidence submitted to this court but on the opinions of people in the government who do not want change,” according to the Associated Press.
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Justices before the court appeared split on the matter, with the high court weighing the limits of power sharing between the legislature and direct votes from Californians.
The final day for ballot measures to qualify for the general election ballot in California is June 27. The high court is expected to make a decision on the proposition’s fate by that date.
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