Arizona Supreme Court ruling gives residents more power to block local projects

• State Supreme Court ruling allows residents to block locally approved projects at ballot box • Residents have absolute right to propose laws, even if elected officials have already decided on a plan • The decision stems from the renovation of the roads in Page, Arizona

A small town fight over a plan to overhaul a downtown area in the Arizona Supreme Court has led to a new ruling making it easier for residents across the state to block locally approved projects at the ballot box.

The ruling, issued last week, says residents of Arizona cities, towns and counties have the absolute right to propose their own laws — even if elected officials have already decided on a redevelopment plan and started to implement it.

The decision could lead to local governments across Arizona having their