California Supreme Court rules on the Taxpayer Protection Act

National correspondent William Lajaness has details tonight from Los Angeles. Good evening, William. What this means, Brad, is governor. Newsom has successfully denied Californians the opportunity to vote on a proposition that had already qualified for the November ballot by an overwhelming margin. The Taxpayer Protection Act would have given voters the right to approve or reject new state and local taxes and stop government agencies from imposing hidden taxes disguised as fees. But Governor Newsom and Democrat supermajority in Sacramento said the initiative would deprive the state of money for necessary services. They also argued the ACT represented an illegal revision of the state's constitution, rather than just an amendment. Well, the court agreed unanimously with six of the seven judges appointed by Newsom or Governor Jerry Brown. Initiative sponsors say the decision proves California is, quote, A1 party state. This is absolute power. And This is why the Legislature seems consumed with all manner of issues that have nothing to do with the betterment of California, but everything to do with the exercise of political power. Critics also accused the governor of hypocrisy. Newsom frequently lectures Republicans about protecting democracy, whereas he actually went to court to preemptively stop a vote, using taxpayer money to file the suit nationally. This is also a big win for Democrats because had the ACT been on the ballot, it could have turned out thousands of conservative and moderate voters. That could have made a difference in six very close House elections here in the battle for control of Congress. Right late today, the governor thanked the Supreme Court for protecting the state constitution. All right, William, Thank you.