By Will McCarthy, POLITICO
Last month, the California Supreme Court killed the Taxpayer Protection Act, a high-profile ballot initiative that would have made it more difficult to raise taxes in the state. Now, it’s possible the justices will strike another measure from the November lineup.
Late last week, the court asked for briefs in the case on an expedited timeline, a request that suggests it is open to hearing the challenge to Proposition 34.
Opponents of the landlord-backed measure have argued it is unconstitutional because it targets the funding of one organization, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation — an apparent attempt to block the nonprofit from using its funding to advance its political agenda, including expanded rent-control.
On Friday, the California Apartment Association filed a brief in support of Prop 34 — and the court asked for a reply from AHF within two business days.
“It doesn’t happen often,” said Jerry Flanagan, the litigation director for Consumer Watchdog, a progressive non-profit that filed an amicus letter on behalf of AHF, about the quick timeline. “The justices are not going to push a quick turnaround if they’re not interested.” — Will McCarthy