Culinary asks Supreme Court to put two measures on ballot

The Culinary union wants an emergency order from the state Supreme Court that would force the city of Las Vegas to put two ballot measures on the June 2 municipal election ballot.

The lawsuit was filed today in response to the City Council's vote last week to refuse to place the measures before voters. Council members acted after the city's attorney said, among other things, that the measures would violate the U.S Constitution and state law if approved by voters.

But it's the council that's responsible for any violation, states the lawsuit and D. Taylor, secretary-treasurer of Culinary Local 226.

“It is clear that the city of Las Vegas took the law into their own hands, violating the constitutional rights of voters,” he said in a written statement. “Instead of wasting further taxpayer dollars fighting these ballot measures, the city of Las Vegas should obey the law and let the voters decide."

The litigation was expected.

One of the ballot measures would repeal the existing redevelopment plan, which provides incentives to those who invest in blighted areas in and around downtown. The other would require voter approval for appropriations to pay back a "lease-purchase" agreement, which is the type of financing being considered for the proposed, and controversial, city hall.

Contact reporter Alan Choate at achoate@reviewjournal.com or 702-229-6435.