Supreme Court of California

Article XIII C of the California Constitution, which provides that "the initiative power shall not be prohibited or otherwise limited in matters of reducing or repealing any local tax, assessment, fee or charge," grants local voters a right to use the initiative power to reduce the rate that a public water district charges for domestic water. However, it does not grant local voters a right to impose a voter-approval requirement on all future adjustments of water delivery charges.

Appellate Information

• Decided 07/24/2006
• Published 07/24/2006

Judges

• KENNARD, J.

Court

• Supreme Court of California

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• Sweeney, Davidian, Green & Grant, Eric Grant and James F. Sweeney, Sacramento, for Real Party in Interest, Cross-complainant and Appellant., Nick Bulaich as Amicus Curiae on behalf of Real Party in Interest, Cross-complainant and Appellant., Trevor A. Grimm, Los Angeles, Jonathan M. Coupal and Timothy A. Bittle, Sacramento, for Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association as Amicus Curiae on behalf of Real Party in Interest, Cross-complainant and Appellant., Harold Griffith as Amicus Curiae on behalf of Real Party in Interest, Cross-complainant and Appellant.


• For Appellees:
  
• Lagerlof, Senecal, Bradley, Gosney & Kruse, Timothy J. Gosner and James D. Ciampa, Pasadena, for Plaintiff, Cross-defendant and Respondent., McCormick, Kidman & Behrens, Janet Morningstar, Newport Beach;  Daniel S. Hentschke, Oceanside;  Colantuono & Levin, Michael G. Colantuono. Los Angeles;  Alisa Renee Fong;  Ruth Sorensen, Alturas;  and Jennifer B. Henning for Association of California Water Agencies, League of California Cities and California State Association of Counties as Amicus Curiae on behalf of Plaintiff, Cross-defendant and Respondent., No appearance for Defendant and Cross-defendant.