Opinion ID: 1349440
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: inherent power of review

Text: [6] Despite the unavailability of either direct or discretionary review, we may, in unusual circumstances, exercise our inherent power of review to determine if the trial court's decision is arbitrary, capricious, or contrary to law. Marino Property Co. v. Port Comm'rs of Port of Seattle, 97 Wn.2d 307, 644 P.2d 1181 (1982). [7] We have consistently defined arbitrary and capricious to mean `willful and unreasoning action, without consideration and in disregard of facts or circumstances.' Equitable Shipyards, Inc. v. State, 93 Wn.2d 465, 474, 611 P.2d 396 (1980), quoting DuPont-Fort Lewis Sch. Dist. 7 v. Bruno, 79 Wn.2d 736, 739, 489 P.2d 171 (1971). Under that standard of review, the trial court's decision was neither arbitrary nor capricious. The Superior Court Judge merely approved a ballot title presented by both the Attorney General and Citizens. While there are other reasons for so holding, the Attorney General's acceptance of the new ballot title makes it impossible to find the judge's action arbitrary or capricious. It is irrelevant that the Attorney General later reversed his position. We recognize that the Oregon Supreme Court has reviewed ballot titles for sufficiency and has rewritten those found insufficient. However, the Oregon statute governing ballot title appeals differs dramatically from ours in two important respects. First, rather than providing for lower court review, it allows any person dissatisfied with a ballot title to petition the Supreme Court directly to seek a different title. Or. Rev. Stat. § 250.085(1), (2). Oregon's legislature intended the statutory procedures to be the exclusive remedy; therefore, only the Oregon Supreme Court can review and correct a defective ballot title. Ecumenical Ministries v. Paulus, 298 Or. 62, 688 P.2d 1339 (1984). Second, the Oregon statute directs the Supreme Court to review the title for substantial compliance with the requirements of Or. Rev. Stat. §§ 250.035 and 250.039 and to certify a title meeting the standards to the Secretary of State. Or. Rev. Stat. § 250.085(4); see also GTECH Corp. v. Roberts, 300 Or. 539, 714 P.2d 610 (1986). The directive to the Oregon Supreme Court is not to review the Attorney General's action to determine whether it was arbitrary or capricious, but rather to review the ballot title itself for substantial compliance. Where that court can approve neither the Attorney General's nor the challenger's proposed ballot title, it must draft one that conforms to the statutory requirements. McKibben v. Paulus, 292 Or. 729, 642 P.2d 1155 (1982). Because Oregon's standard of review is different, its case law cannot justify our reaching the merits of a ballot title decision.