Citizens for Financially Responsible Government v. City of Spokane

The main question is whether a city ordinance enacting a business and occupation (B & 0) tax is subject to referendum. It is.

A group of Spokane citizens sought a writ of mandamus to compel the City of Spokane to accept for filing certain referendum petitions. The purpose of the petitions was the repeal of, or in the alternative, a referendum on city ordinance C-25792, an ordinance relating to and providing for a B & 0 tax upon businesses, occupational pursuits and privileges within the city. The city clerk refused to accept the petitions for filing because of the city attorney's opinion *341that…