Kern-Tulare Water District v. City of Bakersfield

TANG, Circuit Judge:

In this appeal we confront two issues. We decide first whether the involvement of California water law issues in an antitrust case warrants either dismissal for reasons of wise judicial administration or abstention. Because dismissal was not necessary for reasons of wise judicial administration and since federal resolution of the antitrust claims does not unduly intrude upon state interests, we affirm the district court’s refusal to dismiss or abstain. We also decide whether a city enjoys immunity from the antitrust laws for refusing consent to a water district which…