Anchorage Citizens for Taxi Reform v. Municipality of Anchorage

OPINION

EASTAUGH, Justice.

I. INTRODUCTION

Article XI, section 7 of the Alaska Constitution prohibits using an initiative to make an “appropriation.” Anchorage Citizens for Taxi Reform (Anchorage Citizens) submitted to the Municipality of Anchorage a petition for an initiative requiring the city to issue a taxi permit to any qualified person paying an administrative fee. The municipal clerk rejected the petition, reasoning that the initiative would make an appropriation, in violation of article XI, section 7. When Anchorage Citizens filed suit, the superior court granted summary judgment to the…