crawford los angeles board education argued march decided june california action seeking desegregation schools los angeles unified school district district trial found de jure segregation violation state federal constitutions ordered district prepare desegregation plan california affirmed based decision solely upon equal protection clause state constitution bars de facto well de jure segregation remand trial approved desegregation plan included substantial mandatory pupil reassignment busing trial considering alternative new plans voters california ratified amendment proposition state constitution provides state courts shall order mandatory pupil assignment transportation unless federal permitted federal decisional law remedy violation equal protection clause fourteenth amendment federal constitution trial denied district request halt mandatory reassignment busing holding proposition applicable light finding de jure segregation violation fourteenth amendment ordered implementation revised plan included substantial mandatory pupil reassignment busing california appeal reversed concluding trial findings fact support conclusion district violated federal constitution intentional segregation appeal also held proposition constitutional fourteenth amendment barred part plan requiring mandatory student reassignment busing held proposition violate fourteenth amendment pp decisions support contention state chooses fourteenth amendment requires may never recede interpretation amendment destructive state democratic processes ability experiment dealing problems heterogeneous population proposition embody expressly implicitly racial classification simple repeal modification desegregation antidiscrimination laws without embody presumptively invalid racial classification pp proposition characterized something mere repeal hunter erickson distinguished state constitution still places upon school boards greater duty desegregate fourteenth amendment proposition allocate governmental judicial power basis discriminatory principle dual system one racial majority one racial minority established simply civil rights remedies different available areas constitutional people state determine fourteenth amendment standard appropriate california courts apply desegregation cases standard repealed proposition pp even assumed proposition disproportionate adverse effect racial minorities reason differ state appellate conclusion proposition fact enacted discriminatory purpose purposes proposition chief among educational benefits neighborhood schooling legitimate nondiscriminatory objectives state characterized claim discriminatory intent part millions voters pure speculation pp powell delivered opinion burger brennan white blackmun rehnquist stevens joined blackmun filed concurring opinion brennan joined post marshall filed dissenting opinion post laurence tribe argued cause petitioners briefs fred okrand mark rosenbaum mary ellen gale bruce ennis richard larson paul hoffman william shea argued cause respondents brief respondent board education city los angeles peter james david peterson michael johnson jerry halverson cliff fridkis filed brief respondent bustop inc solicitor general lee argued cause amicus curiae urging affirmance brief assistant attorney general reynolds deputy solicitor general wallace richard wilkins briefs amici curiae urging reversal filed steven shiffrin african american education commission et al louis wolcher mark aaronson vilma martinez peter roos william robinson norman chachkin lawyers committee civil rights law et al alan marer william keogh joseph cotchett margaret tinsley et al briefs amici curiae urging affirmance filed george deukmejian attorney general willard shank chief assistant attorney general richard martland assistant attorney general geoffrey graybill deputy attorney general state california anthony blankley congresswoman bobbi fieldler kip edwards michael torpey palo alto unified school district briefs amici curiae filed john larson james briggs allan mckittrick steven carnevale county los angeles leonard sacks state senator alan robbins thomas casey iii belmont school district et al penn foote california teachers association robert finch citizens legal defense alliance myron alexander league women voters california john mcternan george slaff members bar state california ronald zumbrun john findley pacific legal foundation justice powell delivered opinion amendment california constitution provides state courts shall order mandatory pupil assignment transportation unless federal remedy violation equal protection clause fourteenth amendment constitution question decision whether provision violation fourteenth amendment litigation began almost years ago minority students attending school los angeles unified school district district filed class action state seeking desegregation district schools case went trial five years later trial issued opinion finding district substantially segregated violation state federal constitutions ordered district prepare desegregation plan immediate use app district appeal california affirmed different basis crawford board education cal trial found de jure segregation violation fourteenth amendment constitution see app california based affirmance solely upon equal protection clause state constitution explained california constitution state school boards bear constitutional obligation take reasonable steps alleviate segregation public schools whether segregation de facto de jure origin cal remanded trial preparation reasonably feasible plan school desegregation remand trial rejected district mostly voluntary desegregation plan ultimately approved second plan included substantial mandatory school reassignment transportation busing racial ethnic basis plan put effect fall one year experience parties litigation dissatisfied see cal app cal rptr although plan continued operation trial began considering alternatives october november voters state california ratified proposition amendment due process equal protection clauses state constitution proposition conforms power state courts order busing exercised federal courts fourteenth amendment state may impose upon state california public entity board official obligation responsibility respect use pupil school assignment pupil transportation except remedy specific violation party also constitute violation equal protection clause amendment constitution unless federal permitted federal decisional law impose obligation responsibility upon party remedy specific violation equal protection clause california appeal reversed cal app cal rptr found trial findings fact support conclusion district violated federal constitution intentional segregation thus proposition applicable trial desegregation plan bar part plan requiring mandatory student reassignment transportation moreover concluded proposition constitutional fourteenth amendment cal found obligation part state retain greater remedy state law racial segregation provided federal constitution ibid rejected claim proposition adopted discriminatory purpose cal determining proposition applicable constitutional appeal vacated orders entered superior california denied hearing app pet cert granted certiorari ii agree california appeal rejecting contention state chooses fourteenth amendment requires may never recede reject interpretation fourteenth amendment destructive state democratic processes ability experiment interpretation support decisions proposition inhibit enforcement federal law constitutional requirement quite contrary plain language proposition seeks embrace requirements federal constitution respect mandatory school assignments transportation paradoxical conclude adopting equal protection clause fourteenth amendment voters state thereby violated moreover even proposition california constitution still imposes greater duty desegregation federal constitution state courts california continue obligation state law order segregated school districts use voluntary desegregation techniques whether finding intentional segregation school districts retain obligation take reasonably feasible steps desegregate remain free adopt reassignment busing plans effectuate desegregation nonetheless petitioners contend proposition unconstitutional face argue proposition employs explicit racial classification imposes burden minorities seeking vindicate rights limiting power state courts enforce right desegregated schools petitioners contend proposition creates dual system discriminates basis race emphasize rights may vindicated state courts without limitation remedies petitioners argue dual system created proposition unconstitutional unless supported compelling state interest agree proposition employed racial classification unconstitutional unless necessary compelling state interest racial classification regardless purported motivation presumptively invalid upheld upon extraordinary justification personnel administrator massachusetts feeney see mclaughlin florida proposition embody racial classification neither says implies persons treated differently account race simply forbids state courts order pupil school assignment transportation absence fourteenth amendment violation benefit seeks confer neighborhood schooling made available regardless race discretion school boards indeed even proposition racially discriminatory effect view demographic mix district clear race races affected way addition previously held even neutral law disproportionately adverse effect racial minority fourteenth amendment violated discriminatory purpose shown similarly recognized distinction may exist state action discriminates basis race state action addresses neutral fashion matters distinction implicit repeated statement equal protection clause violated mere repeal legislation policies required federal constitution first place dayton bd education brinkman found school board mere repudiation earlier resolution calling desegregation violate fourteenth amendment reitman mulkey hunter erickson careful note laws review mere ly repeal existing antidiscrimination legislation sum simple repeal modification desegregation antidiscrimination laws without never viewed embodying presumptively invalid racial classification hold mere repeal legislation unconstitutional limit seriously authority deal problems heterogeneous population committed irrevocably legislation proved unsuccessful even harmful practice certainly purposes fourteenth amendment advanced interpretation discouraged providing greater protection racial minorities purposes amendment furthered requiring maintain legislation designed ameliorate race relations protect racial minorities produced opposite effects yet results requiring state maintain legislation proved unworkable harmful state obligation adopt legislation first place moreover relevant case interpret fourteenth amendment require people state adhere judicial construction state constitution constitution vests final authority people iii petitioners seek avoid force foregoing considerations arguing proposition mere repeal relying primarily decision hunter erickson supra contend proposition simply repeal right fundamentally alters judicial system seeking redress racial isolation violation state law must satisfied less full relief state view hunter controlling persuaded petitioners characterization proposition something mere repeal hunter akron city charter amended voters provide ordinance regulating real estate basis race color religion national origin take effect approved referendum result charter amendment fair housing ordinance adopted city council earlier date longer effective holding charter amendment invalid fourteenth amendment held charter amendment simple repeal fair housing ordinance amendment suspended operation existing ordinance forbidding housing discrimination also required approval electors future antidiscrimination ordinance take effect thus whereas ordinances regulating real property take effect enacted city council ordinances prohibiting racial discrimination housing forced clear additional hurdle charter amendment placed impermissible special burde racial minorities within governmental process hunter involved mere repeal fair housing ordinance persons seeking antidiscrimination housing laws presumptively racial minorities singled mandatory referendums group face obstacle james valtierra contrast even assumption racial minorities benefited busing required state law proposition less repeal california equal protection clause noted proposition state constitution still places upon school boards greater duty desegregate fourteenth amendment said proposition distorts political process racial reasons allocates governmental judicial power basis discriminatory principle constitution require things different fact opinion treated law though tigner texas remedies appropriate one area legislation may desirable another remedies available violation antitrust laws example different available violation civil rights acts yet dual system one racial majority one racial minority established simply civil rights remedies different available areas surely constitutional california caution although circumstances busing appropriate useful element desegregation plan circumstances costs financial educational terms render use inadvisable see supra equally constitutional people state determine standard fourteenth amendment appropriate california courts apply desegregation cases standard repealed proposition short gone beyond requirements federal constitution state free return part standard prevailing generally throughout conformed law federal constitution every respect chose pull back part preserving greater right desegregation exists federal constitution assuredly render proposition unconstitutional face iv california appeal also rejected petitioners claim proposition facially valid nonetheless unconstitutional enacted discriminatory purpose reasoned purposes proposition well stated proposition voters may motivated purposes chief among educational benefits neighborhood schooling found voters also may considered extent mandatory busing authorized state law actually aggravating rather ameliorating desegregation problem see supra characterized petitioners claim discriminatory intent part millions voters pure speculation cal app cal reitman mulkey considered constitutionality another california proposition case california concluded proposition unconstitutional gave state approval private racial discrimination agreed deferring findings made california noted california armed knowledge facts circumstances concerning passage potential impact proposition familiar milieu provision operate similarly case involving circumstances passage potential impact proposition adopted statewide election see reason differ conclusions state appellate decisions law neutral face still may unconstitutional motivated discriminatory purpose determining whether purpose motivating factor racially disproportionate effect official action provides important starting point personnel administrator massachusetts feeney quoting arlington heights metropolitan housing dev proposition way purports limit power state courts remedy effects intentional segregation accompanying stigma benefits neighborhood schooling racially neutral manifestly true los angeles public school body composed groups viewed racial minorities see nn supra moreover proposition simply removes one means achieving right desegregated education school districts retain obligation alleviate segregation regardless cause state courts still may order desegregation measures pupil school assignment pupil transportation even assume proposition disproportionate adverse effect racial minorities see reason challenge appeal conclusion voters state motivated discriminatory purpose see cal app cal case proposition approved overwhelming majority electorate received support members races purposes proposition stated text legitimate nondiscriminatory objectives circumstances dispute judgment appeal impugn motives state electorate accordingly judgment california appeal affirmed footnotes findings case adequately support trial conclusion segregation defendant school district de jure nature shall explain however rest decision characterization continue adhere conclusion jackson pasadena city school cal school boards california bear constitutional obligation take reasonably feasible steps alleviate school segregation regardless cause crawford board education cal explained federal cases controlling focusing primarily federal decisions defendant ignores significant line california decisions decisions authoritatively establish state school boards bear constitutional obligation take reasonable steps alleviate segregation public schools whether segregation de facto de jure origin stating general principles guide trial remand state discussed busing question critics sometimes attempted obscure issue decisions time time emphasized busing constitutional end simply one potential tool may utilized satisfy school district constitutional obligation field circumstances busing appropriate useful element desegregation plan instances costs financial educational terms render use inadvisable noted well state intervene speed desegregation process long school board takes reasonably feasible steps alleviate school segregation properly issue busing order long school district continues meet constitutional obligations plan provided mandatory reassignment approximately students fourth eighth grades children bused long distances requiring daily bus rides long two four hours addition plan provided voluntary transfer students respondent bustop unsuccessfully sought stay implementation plan see bustop board education rehnquist chambers bustop board education powell chambers proposition placed voters following vote house state legislature cal art state senate approved proposition vote state assembly vote voters favored proposition vote proposition received majority vote state counties state assembly districts california secretary state statement vote november election proposition added lengthy proviso art california constitution following passage proposition provides relevant part person may deprived life liberty property without due process law denied equal protection laws provided nothing contained herein elsewhere constitution imposes upon state california public entity board official obligations responsibilities exceed imposed equal protection clause amendment constitution respect use pupil school assignment pupil transportation enforcing subdivision provision constitution state may impose upon state california public entity board official obligation responsibility respect use pupil school assignment pupil transportation except remedy specific violation party also constitute violation equal protection clause amendment constitution unless federal permitted federal decisional law impose obligation responsibility upon party remedy specific violation equal protection clause amendment constitution nothing herein shall prohibit governing board school district voluntarily continuing commencing school integration plan effective date subdivision amended amending subdivision legislature people state california find declare amendment necessary serve compelling public interests including making effective use limited financial resources prospectively available support public education maximizing educational opportunities protecting health safety public school pupils enhancing ability parents participate educational process preserving harmony tranquility state public schools preventing waste scarce fuel resources protecting environment superior ordered immediate implementation revised plan district unsuccessful effort gain stay plan pending appeal see board education superior rehnquist chambers findings trial reviewed light correct applicable federal law apparent specific segregative intent discriminatory purpose found thrust findings trial passive maintenance board neighborhood school system face widespread residential racial imbalance amounted de jure segregation violation fourteenth amendment school board duty fourteenth amendment meet overcome effect population movements cal app cal appeal also rejected claim proposition deprived minority children vested right desegregated education violation due process see cal petitioners longer advance claim march district directed mandatory pupil reassignment superior revised plan terminated april date parents children reassigned given option returning children neighborhood schools according respondent board education approximately pupils took option minority students brief respondent board education state courts refused enjoin termination plan april however district central district california issued temporary restraining order preventing termination plan los angeles naacp los angeles unified school district supp district found fair chance intentional segregation district demonstrated district order vacated following day appeals ninth circuit los angeles unified school district district remand district denied district motion dismiss ruling certified interlocutory appeal see brief respondent board education september superior approved new voluntary desegregation plan respondent bustop argues far fourteenth amendment requires state actually violated amendment assigning students basis race assignments necessary remedy federal constitutional violation see brief respondent bustop reach contention respect case differs situation presented washington seattle school district ante opinion delivered proposition enacted california stated amendment neither releases school districts state constitutional obligation take reasonably feasible steps alleviate segregation regardless cause divests california courts authority order desegregation measures pupil school assignment pupil transportation mckinny oxnard union high school district board trustees cal moreover proposition limits state courts enforcing state constitution thus proposition bar enforcement state statutes requiring busing desegregation purpose cf brown califano app legislation limiting power federal agency require busing local school boards held constitutional view effective avenues desegregation left open legislation racial discrimination judicial apparatus state racial discrimination state schools petitioners challenge fourteenth amendment case brief petitioners hunter erickson invalidated city charter amendment placed special burden racial minorities political process considered although law neutral face reality law impact falls minority light reality distortion political process worked charter amendment considered amendment employed racial classification despite facial neutrality case elements underlying holding hunter missing see infra neighborhood school policy offend fourteenth amendment see swann bd absent constitutional violation basis judicially ordering assignment students racial basis things equal history discrimination might well desirable assign pupils schools nearest homes cf congress declares policy children enrolled public schools entitled equal educational opportunity without regard race color sex national origin neighborhood appropriate basis determining public school assignments los angeles school district white students racial minority see supra similarly los angeles county racial minorities including spanish origin constitute majority population see dept commerce census population housing california advance reports mar see washington davis arlington heights metropolitan housing dev james valtierra proposition limited busing purpose racial desegregation applies neutrally pupil school assignment pupil transportation general even clear busing excess required fourteenth amendment one means desegregating schools prompted initiation probably adoption proposition see dayton bd ed brinkman racial imbalance noted dayton per se constitutional violation rescission prior resolutions proposing desegregation unconstitutional resolutions required first place fourteenth amendment hunter noted hold mere repeal existing antidiscrimination ordinance violates fourteenth amendment reitman held california proposition unconstitutional fourteenth amendment repealed two pieces antidiscrimination legislation proposition involved state private racial discrimination dealing provision repeal existing law forbidding private racial discriminations section intended authorize authorize racial discrimination housing market course purpose repealing legislation disadvantage racial minority repeal unconstitutional reason see reitman mulkey see palmer thompson hold every public facility service opened constitutionally locks public sponsor may dropped plainly discourage expansion enlargement needed services long run burger concurring reitman mulkey supra opponents state antidiscrimination statutes position argue legislation defeated enacted may unrepealable harlan dissenting dissenting opinion reitman mulkey supra justice harlan remarked upon need legislative flexibility dealing delicate troublesome problems race relations noted lines must drawn area fraught human sensibilities frailties whatever race creed difficult ones drawing requires understanding patience compromise best done legislatures rather courts legislation field unsuccessful wide opportunities legislative amendment well change processes popular initiative referendum tr oral arg see fact state may free remove right remove duty mean freedom leave right place simply discriminatory way argue provide less full judicial remedy case us city akron attempted allocate governmental power basis general principle provision clear purpose making difficult certain racial religious minorities achieve legislation interest harlan concurring hunter noted although law face treats negro white jew gentile identical manner charter amendment making difficult pass antidiscrimination legislation disadvantage racial minorities governmental process petitioners contend proposition restricts busing purpose racial discrimination proposition neutral face however respondents well state amicus brief take issue petitioners interpretation provision similarly dual constitution established state chooses go beyond requirements federal constitution areas others dual executive branch created agency given enforcement powers one area another cf brown califano app upholding federal legislation prohibiting federal executive agency local school officials federal courts requiring busing proposition contains statement purpose legislature people state california find declare amendment necessary serve compelling public interests including making effective use limited financial resources prospectively available support public education maximizing educational opportunities protecting health safety public school pupils enhancing ability parents participate educational process preserving harmony tranquility state public schools preventing waste scarce fuel resources protecting environment cf washington davis extent deference one pays trial determination factual issue indeed extent one characterizes intent issue question fact question law vary different contexts stevens concurring brown califano supra appeals found federal statute preventing department health education welfare hew requiring busing school school nearest student home unconstitutional hew retained authority encourage school districts desegregate means enforcement powers department justice left untouched therefore concluded limits hew ability order mandatory busing discriminatory effect done refused inquire legislative motivation absent discriminatory effect judicial inquiry legislative motivation unnecessary well undesirable app omitted cf washington davis supra stevens concurring unrealistic invalidate otherwise legitimate action simply improper motive affected deliberation participant decisional process law conscripting clerics invalidated atheist voted proposition received support voters los angeles county minority population including persons spanish origin california secretary state statement vote november election see supra contrast proposition received smallest percentage vote humboldt marin counties nearly composition justice blackmun justice brennan joins concurring join opinion write separately address believe critical distinctions case washington seattle school district ante always recognized distortions political process special implications attempts achieve equal protection laws thus found particularly pernicious classifications threaten ability minorities involve process laws drawn within framework hunter erickson harlan concurring unlikely drawn principles conclusion seattle followed inexorably considerations case statewide electorate reallocated decisionmaking authority mak difficult certain racial religious minorities members community achieve legislation interest washington seattle school district ante emphasis original quoting hunter erickson harlan concurring found political structure impermissible recognizing class participate effectively process rights remedies order society created class necessarily relegated state fiat basic way status plyler doe blackmun concurring view something significantly different involved case state courts create rights enforce rights originate elsewhere state legislature state political subdivisions state constitution one rights repealed therefore rendered unenforceable courts action hardly said restructure state decisionmaking mechanism california electorate may made difficult achieve desegregation enacted proposition mind working structural change political process much simply repealing right invoke judicial busing remedy indeed ruling petitioners hunter theory seemingly mean statutory antidiscrimination programs never repealed repeal enactment mean enforcement authority previously lodged state courts removed another political entity short people california entity put place state constitution created enforceable obligation desegregate made desegregation obligation judicially unenforceable political process decisionmaking mechanism used address racially conscious legislation singled peculiar disadvantageous treatment washington seattle school district ante emphasis original political mechanisms create repeal rights ultimately enforced courts left entirely unaffected proposition conclude repeal right analogously removal judiciary ability enforce right curtail operation political processes ordinarily relied upon protect minorities ante quoting carolene products find seattle distinguishable case join opinion judgment justice marshall dissenting today addresses two state ballot measures constitutional amendment statutory initiative admittedly designed substantially curtail eliminate use mandatory student assignment transportation remedy de facto segregation washington seattle school district ante seattle concludes washington initiative effectively prevents school boards ordering mandatory school assignment absence finding de jure segregation within meaning fourteenth amendment unconstitutional uses racial nature issue define governmental decisionmaking structure thus imposes substantial unique burdens racial minorities seattle ante inexplicably simultaneously concludes california proposition effectively prevents state ordering mandatory remedies absence finding de jure segregation constitutional gone beyond requirements federal constitution state free return part standard prevailing generally throughout ante fail see fundamental redefinition governmental decisionmaking structure respect racial issue unconstitutional state seeks remove authority local school boards yet constitutional state attempts achieve result limiting power courts must dissent decision uphold proposition order understand fully implications action today necessary place facts concerning adoption proposition proper context nearly two decades ago unanimous california declared segregation school children separate schools race even though physical facilities methods quality instruction several schools may equal deprives children minority group equal opportunities education denies equal protection due process law jackson pasadena city school district cal recognizing right equal opportunity education harmful consequences segregation differ according cause racial isolation california declined adopt distinction de facto de jure segregation engrafted fourteenth amendment instead clearly held school boards must take steps insofar reasonably feasible alleviate racial imbalance schools regardless cause california subsequently explained duty established jackson require school district reflect racial composition district whole crawford board education cal crawford rather sufficient school authorities take reasonable feasible steps eliminate segregated schools schools minority student enrollment disproportionate realistically isolate minority students students thus deprive minority students integrated educational experience emphasis original moreover california courts made clear primary responsibility implementing state constitutional duty lies local school boards long local school board initiates implements reasonably feasible steps alleviate school segregation district long steps produce meaningful progress alleviation segregation harmful consequences judiciary intervene desegregation process however school board neglects refuses implement meaningful programs designed bring end racial isolation public schools left alternative intervene protect constitutional rights minority children judicial intervention necessary may exercise broad equitable powers formulating supervising plan finds insure meaningful progress alleviate harmful consequences school segregation district moreover school board defaults constitutional task devising remedial order precluded requiring busing children part reasonably feasible desegregation plan like many decisions protecting rights minorities california decision eradicate evils segregation regardless cause popular one nearly two decades since state decision jackson repeated attempts restrain school boards courts enforcing constitutional guarantee means mandatory student transfers assignments shortly san francisco unified school district voluntarily adopted desegregation plan involving mandatory student assignment california legislature enacted education code cal educ code ann currently codified cal educ code ann west provides governing board school district shall require student pupil transported purpose reason without written permission parent guardian san francisco unified school district johnson cal california interpreted provision bar school district compelling students without parental consent use means transportation furnished district construing statute prohibit nonconsensual assignment students purpose eradicating de jure de facto segregation concluded clearly violate state federal constitutions exorcising method many circumstances sole exclusive means eliminating racial segregation schools next year opponents mandatory student assignment purpose achieving racial balance attempted eviscerate state constitutional guarantee recognized jackson proposition enacted referendum november stated public school student shall race creed color assigned required attend particular school predictably california struck proposition reasons set forth us johnson santa barbara school district superior cal finally people california enacted proposition proposition like previous initiatives effectively deprived california courts ability enforce state constitutional guarantee minority children attend racially isolated schools use may sole exclusive means eliminating racial segregation schools san francisco unified school district johnson supra mandatory student assignment transfer unlike earlier attempts accomplish objective however proposition purport prevent mandatory assignments transfers measures predicated violation federal constitution therefore question presented case whether fact mandatory transfers may still made vindicate federal constitutional rights saves initiative constitutional infirmity presented previous attempts accomplish objective view recitation obvious state constitutional amendment override federal constitutional guarantees work deprive minority children california federally protected right equal protection laws ii seattle exhaustively set relevant principles control present inquiry found series precedents exemplified hunter erickson lee nyquist supp wdny summarily aff establish fourteenth amendment prohibits state allocating governmental power nonneutrally explicitly using racial nature decision determine decisionmaking process seattle ante emphasis original concluded state action kind places special burdens racial minorities within governmental process thereby making difficult certain racial religious minorities members community achieve legislation interest ibid emphasis original quoting hunter erickson supra harlan concurring therefore necessary determine whether proposition works nonneutral reallocation governmental power basis racial nature decision determination also informed decision seattle case presented statewide initiative effectively precluded local school boards ordering mandatory student assignment transfer except required remedy constitutional violation concluded initiative violated fourteenth amendment reallocated decisionmaking authority racial issues local school board new remote level government seattle ante reaching conclusion specifically affirmed three principles particularly relevant present inquiry first rejected state argument statewide initiative prohibiting mandatory student assignment racial overtones simply mention words race integration seattle ante noted either initiative sponsors district appeals difficulty perceiving racial nature issue settled initiative ibid light language history surrounding adoption found beyond reasonable dispute initiative enacted merely spite adverse effects upon busing integration quoting personnel administrator massachusetts feeney moreover rejected solicitor general remarkable contention contention also pressed busing integration peculiarly racial issue seattle ante discounting value integrated education nonminority students concluded lee nyquist supra definitively established desegregation public schools bottom inures primarily benefit minority designed purpose thereby bringing within hunter doctrine seattle ante second seattle determined initiative unconstitutionally reallocated power local school boards state legislature statewide electorate enactment initiative local school boards continued exercise considerable discretion virtually educational matters including student assignment seeking eradicate de facto segregation however forced surmount considerably higher hurdle persons seeking comparable legislative action seattle ante instead seeking relief local school board pursuing racial issue forced appeal different remote level government hunter erickson supra interested enacting fair housing ordinances compelled gain support majority electorate held reallocation governmental power along racial lines offends equal protection clause holding altered fact seeking combat de facto segregation still pursue cause petitioning local boards enact voluntary measures seeking action state legislature persuaded argument transfer power occurred state ultimately responsible educational policy local school boards found sufficient initiative deprived seeking redress racial harm right seek particularly effective form redress level government ordinarily empowered grant remedy finally decision seattle implicitly rejected argument state action reallocates governmental power along racial lines immunized fact specifically leaves intact rights guaranteed fourteenth amendment fact mandatory pupil reassignment still available remedy de jure segregation alter conclusion unconstitutional reallocation power occurred respect seeking combat de facto racial isolation public schools view principles inexorably lead conclusion california proposition works unconstitutional reallocation state power depriving california courts ability grant meaningful relief seeking vindicate state guarantee de facto segregation public schools despite proposition apparent neutrality beyond reasonable dispute seattle ante majority today concedes busing excess required fourteenth amendment prompted initiation probably adoption proposition ante emphasis original minorities may consider busing integration legislation interest seattle ante quoting hunter erickson harlan concurring proposition sufficiently racial invoke hunter doctrine doubt proposition works substantial reallocation state power prior enactment proposition seeking vindicate rights enumerated california jackson pasadena city school district cal interested attaining educational objective followed procedure first california minority community attempt convince local school board voluntarily comply constitutional obligation take reasonably feasible steps eliminate racial isolation public schools board either unwilling unable carry constitutional duty seeking redress petition california state courts require school officials live obligations busing required part judicial remedial order crawford cal whereas initiative attempted deny minority children first step procedure proposition eliminates fiat second stage ability california courts order meaningful compliance requirements state constitution adoption proposition method enforcing recalcitrant school board state constitutional duty eliminate racial isolation petition either state legislature electorate whole clearly rules game significantly changed attempting vindicate state constitutional right majority seeks conceal unmistakable effects proposition calling mere repeal state earlier commitment fourteenth amendment requires ante although true never held mere repeal existing antidiscrimination ordinance violates fourteenth amendment hunter erickson supra equally clear reallocation governmental power created proposition mere repeal within meaning prior decisions dayton bd education brinkman new members dayton board education repudiated resolution drafted predecessors admitting board role establishment segregated school system calling various remedial actions concluding board constitutionally permitted withdraw prior mea culpa careful note board acted undo operative regulations affecting assignment pupils aspects management school affairs emphasis added therefore time squarely held mere repeal violate fourteenth amendment presented situation governmental entity rescinded prior statement policy without affecting existing educational policy surprise conduct passed constitutional muster contrast seattle hunter reitman mulkey three times explicitly rejected argument proposed change constituted mere repeal existing policy alleged rescission accomplished governmental entity entity taken initial action resulted drastic alteration substantive effect existing policy case falls squarely within latter category sure right free racial isolation public schools remains unaffected proposition see ante see mckinny oxnard union high school district board trustees cal proposition repeal power state enforce existing constitutional guarantee use mandatory pupil assignment transfer majority asserts fourteenth amendment require people state adhere judicial construction state constitution constitution vests final authority people ante state authority order appropriate remedies state constitutional violations however based final authority people power local seattle school board make decisions regarding pupil assignment premised state ultimate control educational process rather authority california courts order mandatory student assignments context springs source authority underlying remedial measures adopted state federal courts absence statutory authorization courts power provide equitable relief remedy constitutional violation swann board education crawford cal trial may exercise broad equitable powers formulating supervising plan finds insure meaningful progress alleviate school segregation even assuming source power remedy constitutional violation traced back people majority conclusion people therefore confer remedial power discriminatory basis plainly inconsistent prior decisions hunter erickson struck referendum issue even though people akron ohio undoubtedly retained final authority legislation similarly seattle concluded reallocation power away local school boards offended equal protection clause even though state washington ultimately responsible providing education within borders ante fact change enacted popular referendum therefore immunize constitutional review see lucas colorado general assembly seattle hunter reitman proposition repeal state enforcement powers work independent governmental entity state courts repeal drastically alters substantive rights granted existing policy patently obvious facts litigation prohibiting california courts ordering mandatory student assignment necessary eliminate racially isolated schools proposition placed enormous barrier minority children effective enjoyment constitutional rights barrier placed path seek vindicate rights granted state law precedents demonstrate absent compelling state interest respondents hardly demonstrated discriminatory barrier stand fact california attempts cloak discrimination mantle fourteenth amendment alter result although might seem paradoxical members referendum adopts wording fourteenth amendment might violate paradox specious supremacy clause proposition precisely legal effect contained reference fourteenth amendment lesson seattle state prohibiting conduct required fourteenth amendment may nonetheless create discriminatory reallocation governmental power violate equal protection fact less effective avenues remain open interested mandatory student assignment eliminate racial isolation like fact voters hunter conceivably might enacted fair housing legislation interested busing eliminate racial isolation seattle conceivably might use state referendum process justify discriminatory reallocation governmental decisionmaking case reallocation power occurs judicial process major arena minorities used ensure protection rights interest hunter erickson supra harlan concurring certainly hunter seattle distinguished ground concerned reallocation legislative power whereas proposition redistributes inherent power tailor remedy violation long recognized courts often sole practicable avenue open minority petition redress grievances naacp button see reitman mulkey invalidating state constitutional amendment right discriminate including right discriminate racial grounds embodied state basic charter immune legislative executive judicial regulation level state government emphasis added wonder present case amply illustrates whatever progress made towards elimination de facto segregation come california courts indeed proposition denying full access branch government willing address issue meaningfully far worse seeking vindicate plainly unpopular cause racial integration public schools simple reallocation often unavailable unresponsive legislative process paraphrase surely excessively formal exercise argue procedural revisions issue hunter seattle imposed special burdens minorities selective allocation decisionmaking authority worked proposition erect comparable political obstacles seattle ante iii even effects proposition somehow distinguished enactments issue hunter seattle result reached majority today still plainly inconsistent precedents found segregation california public schools violated fourteenth amendment state trial never considered whether proposition unconstitutional product discriminatory intent despite absence factual record issue appeal rejected petitioners argument law motivated discriminatory intent ground recitation several potentially legitimate purposes legislation preamble rendered claim enacted invidious purpose pure speculation cal app cal rptr arlington heights metropolitan housing dev declared etermining whether invidious discriminatory purpose motivating factor demands sensitive inquiry circumstantial direct evidence intent may available petitioners assert disproportionate impact proposition combined circumstances surrounding adoption history opposition integration cited supra clearly indicates presence discriminatory intent see brief petitioners yet despite fact inquiry conducted allegations either trial appellate haste uphold banner neighborhood schools affirms factual determination never made blind allegiance conclusory statements lower plainly forbidden prior decisions iv proposition sense better washington initiative struck seattle generosity california voters allowed seeking racial balance petition school officials steadfastly maintained color line schoolhouse door comply voluntarily continuing state constitutional duty desegregate time voters deprived minorities method redress proved effective full remedial powers state judiciary name state ability experiment ante today allows placement yet another burden path seeking counter effects nearly three centuries racial prejudice decision neither justified prior decisions consistent duty guarantee citizens equal protection laws must dissent seattle fact types student transfers conceivably might prohibited alter conclusion neither initiative sponsors district appeals difficulty perceiving racial nature issue settled proposition seattle ante indeed response petition certiorari respondents characterized proposition addressing one narrow area power state order mandatory student assignment transportation desegregation remedy brief opposition therefore irrelevant whether benefits neighborhood schooling racially neutral majority asserts ante see ante seattle ante specifically rejected argument minorities well whites supported initiative considered racial classification question practical effect proposition deprive state courts sole exclusive means eliminating racial segregation schools san francisco unified school district johnson cal often noted bus transportation long integral part public educational systems unlikely truly effective remedy devised without continued reliance upon north carolina board ed swann moreover proposition prevents state ordering school officials take action respecting pupil school assignment well pupil transportation presumably state courts design remedy involving pairing clustering schools even remedy involve busing present case state trial found voluntary programs proposed los angeles school board constitutionally suspect place burden relieving racial isolation minority student upon minority student app consequently since voluntary program serve integrate community schools seattle ante proposition like measures issue lee nyquist supp wdny summarily aff seattle precludes effective enjoyment california minority children right eliminate racially isolated schools reitman mulkey struck another california ballot measure granting every resident absolute constitutional right sell rent property whomever chooses held provision amounted unconstitutional authorization private discrimination indeed proposition express terms allows modification existing plans upon application interested person art majority notes proposition people state california find declare amendment necessary serve compelling public interests including inter alia making efficient use limited financial resources protecting health safety students preserving harmony tranquility protecting environment ante purported justifications undoubtedly meritorious clearly insufficient sustain racial classification established proposition often noted racial classifications may upheld necessary merely rationally related accomplishment permissible state policy mclaughlin florida goes without saying conclusory statement necessity suffice fulfill burden see swann board education rejecting similar list justifications establishing racial classification event respondents failed show purpose impute proposition accomplished alternative methods involving racial distinctions lee nyquist parenthetically interesting note allegedly compelling interest establishing neighborhood schools often referred majority appears nowhere official list justifications absence mention supposed justification surprising light fact proposition ban student assignment effectively prevents desegregation remedies require student leave neighborhood see supra majority reliance reitman mulkey therefore misplaced deference given state knowledge facts circumstances concerning passage potential impact proposition findings ever made initiative however least hinder state enforcing state constitution seattle ante powell dissenting