A state judge has ruled Long Beach cannot raise its local sales tax two years sooner than the date included in a ballot measure that voters approved, saying it is unconstitutional to assume their intentions.
In two separate lawsuits heard in Sacramento Friday, Superior Court Judge Stephen Acquisto ruled in favor of the state’s tax department — which originally refused to tax at the new rate in April — as well as the Long Beach Reform Coalition, a local watchdog group, that in February sued the city on similar grounds.
The rulings potentially end a yearlong debate between legal experts, state accountants and civic watchdog groups that began after voters across Los Angeles County approved a different sales tax meant to fund homeless services…