State Supreme Court denies redistricting challenge

The Senate maps drawn by a citizens commission can be used in this year's elections - both in the June primary and the November general. That's a big deal because the Democrats stand to gain a few seats from the district realignments - and that's a big deal because only a few seats in both the Senate and Assembly stand in the way of the Democrats being able to pass taxes on their own. From AP:

Republicans are seeking an initiative to overturn the new boundaries and wanted the new maps tossed out until voters decide the issue. The court first had to find whether it even had the authority to act because the GOP initiative has yet to qualify. The court found that the maps drawn by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission were "clearly the most appropriate map to be used in the 2012 state Senate elections even if the proposed referendum qualifies for the ballot."

Republicans have yet to develop a convincing case that the redistricting commission was somehow in cahoots with the Democrats. Here's the decision, via Capitol Alert.