Carson Responds to AG’s Appeal of Judgment Striking Down Senate Bill 9 as Unconstitutional

CARSON — On June 18, Judge Curtis Kin of Los Angeles Superior Court entered judgment in favor of five petitioner cities: City of Carson, City of Redondo Beach, City of Torrance, City of Whittier, and City of Del Mar, all represented through the law firm of Aleshire & Wynder as the litigation lead, in their case challenging the constitutionality of SB 9. Judge Kin’s judgment, which you can find here, states that “Senate Bill 9 (as codified in Government Code Sections 65852.21, 66411.7, and 66452.6) is unconstitutional.”  This judgment vindicates the petitioner cities’ raison d’être for bringing this lawsuit: to ensure that the State respects important constitutional values of separation of powers before enacting laws that limit Charter cities’ constitutionally granted local control.

On June 21, 2024, the California Attorney General filed a notice of appeal in an attempt to reverse the judgment. SB 9 has not been amended in any way to cure its constitutional deficiencies since Judge Kin entered judgment in favor of Petitioner cities. 

Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes from the City of Carson responded to this appeal, stating, “In Carson, we are pro-housing and have completed many affordable housing projects over the years. For example, we opened a remarkable 51-unit affordable housing complex called Veterans Village where monthly rents run from $15 to $1,800, depending on need. This lawsuit is not about housing, it’s about ensuring that the State follows the constitution.”