A Sacramento court on Friday ordered another initiative off California’s November ballot — an attempt by consumer advocates to re-regulate the state’s electricity market.
A three-judge appeals court panel ruled that Proposition 80 was “unquestionably invalid on its face” because it would give broader powers to the Public Utilities Commission. The court said the state constitution only allows the Legislature to increase the commission’s jurisdiction.
The proposition would re-regulate the state’s electricity market, requiring providers to be controlled by the commission. It was supported by consumer advocates who believe deregulation of California’s utilities helped cause the blackouts and price manipulations that hit the state in 2000-01.
The decision was issued a day after a Sacramento judge removed from the ballot Proposition 77, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s attempt to change who draws legislative and congressional districts.
If those rulings stand, it would leave only six initiatives for voters to consider on Nov. 8, including Schwarzenegger’s attempt to limit state spending and his measure to increase the time new teachers spend on probation.
Supporters of both Proposition 77 and Proposition 80 said they would appeal to higher courts.