California Supreme Court recuses itself from hearing appeal on sale of state buildings
Acting Chief Justice Marvin Baxter directs that seven state appellate judges be assigned to review Gov. Schwarzenegger's petition to allow the sale of 24 structures. The high court sits in a San Francisco building that would be sold.
From the Associated PressDecember 22, 2010
Reporting from Sacramento
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All seven members of the California Supreme Court recused themselves Tuesday from hearing an appeal by the Schwarzenegger administration regarding the sale of state office buildings.
Acting Chief Justice Marvin Baxter directed that seven state appellate judges be assigned to review the governor's petition after the justices recused themselves. The high court is housed in the Earl Warren Building at the San Francisco Civic Center Complex, one of the state properties that would be sold.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger this week made a last-minute plea to the state's high court to allow the sale of 11 state properties, which contain 24 separate buildings, as a way to raise $1.2 billion to help ease California's budget woes. The state would lease back the properties.
An appeals court has stalled the sale to private investors while it reviews the deal. The plaintiffs maintain that it violates state law because the California Judicial Council must agree to any sale involving buildings that house courts. Their lawsuit also said the deal constitutes an unlawful gift of public funds.
Several independent analyses have found the sale will end up costing taxpayers more money in the long run. Many of the buildings are close to being paid off.
Also Tuesday, Schwarzenegger issued an executive order renaming the San Francisco Civic Center Complex as the Ronald M. George State Office Complex, after the retiring Supreme Court chief justice.
The Earl Warren Building and Hiram M. Johnson State Office Building, which are part of the civic center, will retain their individual names.
metrodesk@latimes.com
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