JLF president John Hood weighs in on cities’ legal fight against annexation reform:

I doubt the cities will succeed. I suspect they will simply additional taxpayer resources in a futile attempt to challenge the actions of the General Assembly. If I’m wrong, however, I still don’t think the story will end in a way the urban lobby will like.

The most likely response of legislative leaders to successful litigation will be to amend the law to require a real vote for any city-initiated annexation – a referendum among the affected county residents. In the past, the League of Municipalities has opposed this idea vociferously. Now, its members have chosen a legal strategy that, even if successful, will result in a policy they have steadfastly opposed in the past.

Should they not succeed, don’t look for the municipal lobby to stop there.