Wait, this was just an ordinary statute? I kept hearing about the stupid seven-eighths provision, so I assumed it must have been a constitutional amendment if it was amending the powers of the legislature.
Edit: Ahh, California is the only state that completely prohibits the legislature from making changes to initiated statutes. Every time I learn something new about California’s constitutional structure, it amazes me that anything ever gets done there.
California in the 1800s was completely dominated by corporate interests. The Progressives of that era hobbled the legislature by putting in hard blocks via direct elections. Of course, the special interests have been co-opting the direct elections ever since.
Voters’ intent is not always constitutional, which is why there is the possibility of judicial review. Given the stakes for both sides, I’m sure this will go to the state supreme court.