Some state and local governments are trying to bypass laws requiring voter approval before bonds can be issued or other public debt increased. In one case, a county board of supervisors in Virginia sued all county taxpayers so it could purchase a new headquarters building.
Critics say the case illustrates the arrogance of some elected officials.
The board sued county taxpayers, but later dropped the suit after a judge ruled the state's attorney general would represent taxpayers. Observers say such incidents aren't peculiar to Virginia. Courts in Texas, North Carolina, West Virginia and New Mexico have all recently invalidated or restricted the ability of local governments to issue debt without voter approval. The California Supreme Court recently agreed to hear a case challenging the right of San Diego to bypass the state constitution's requirement for voter approval of debt.