Bill would force state officials to defend ballot propositions

As the California Supreme Court announced that it will weigh in on the issue of whether a group of anti-gay-marriage activists can defend Proposition 8 in court, Republican State Senator Tom Harman has introduced a new bill that would apparently ensure that such a question would never have to be decided again. Under Senate Bill 5, or the "Attorney General: defense of initiative statutes" bill, At...

KALW • Feb 17, 2011

Proposition 8: Will the judges go for it or punt?

Judges love the punt-it's one of their most treasured tools. (Calling penalties would be another.) Which means the opportunity to send this case through a different court might be too tempting for these 9th Circuit judges to resist. Specifically, the judges could ask the California Supreme Court to look at the question of whether or not private citizens groups and/or a county-level official has th...

KALW • Dec 9, 2010