Pratt v. Wilson

770 F. Supp. 539, 91 Daily Journal DAR 9367, 1991 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 9733, 1991 WL 130614
CourtDistrict Court, E.D. California
DecidedJuly 12, 1991
DocketCiv. S-90-896 DFL
StatusPublished
Cited by12 cases

This text of 770 F. Supp. 539 (Pratt v. Wilson) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, E.D. California primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Pratt v. Wilson, 770 F. Supp. 539, 91 Daily Journal DAR 9367, 1991 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 9733, 1991 WL 130614 (E.D. Cal. 1991).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM OF DECISION AND ORDER (AMENDED)

LEVI, District Judge.

This matter was heard on February 22, 1991, on plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment. The court requested supplemental briefing, which the parties supplied, and the matter was submitted on April 5, 1991. Plaintiffs are California residents who receive funds from the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (“AFDC”) program. See 42 U.S.C. § 601-608. Plaintiffs challenge the defendants’ 1 refusal to release funds for the AFDC program due to the budget impasse of July, 1990, and potential similar future incidents. Defendants contend that their actions taken during July, 1990, were compelled by two provisions of California law which prohibit them from distributing funds absent legislative authorization in the form of a budget. Plaintiffs contend that defendants’ actions were contrary to the federal laws which govern the AFDC program. For the reasons discussed below, the court finds that plaintiffs are entitled to summary judgment and the declaratory relief which they seek. The court, however, presently declines to issue injunctive relief.

I. BACKGROUND

California’s current fiscal year began on July 1, 1990. On June 15, 1990, anticipating a budget impasse, the state Department of Social Services sent a letter to county welfare directors advising that the state would not release AFDC funds, either state or federal, after July 1 absent the *541 enactment of a budget. Exhibit A, Brief in Support of Plaintiffs’ Motion for Summary Judgment. The letter noted that a delayed budget would not affect checks due to be issued on July 15 because the state traditionally authorizes these checks at the end of June. Defendants adopted this position because of certain provisions of state law, outlined infra, which in their view required them to halt AFDC payments absent legislative authorization in the form of a budget. 2

Plaintiffs filed this action on July 12, 1990. On July 13, 1990, this court, by Garcia, J., issued a temporary restraining order (TRO), enjoining the defendants from withholding AFDC funds absent prior written notice to recipients, and certified the matter as a class action. On July 23, 1990, the court extended the TRO for an additional 10-day period, in accordance with the provisions of Fed.R.Civ.P. 65(b). On August 27, 1990, plaintiffs amended the complaint, seeking declaratory and injunctive relief for defendants’ failure to make prompt AFDC payments in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 602(a)(10)(A), 45 C.F.R.- § 206.-10(a)(5)(i), and 42 U.S.C. § 1983, and for defendants’ failure to give timely notice of interruption of benefits in violation of 45 C.F.R. § 205.10(a)(4)(i) and (iii). On December 26, 1990, plaintiffs moved for summary judgment. Opposition and reply briefs were timely filed, and the matter was heard on February 8, 1991, at which time the court ordered supplemental briefing. Defendants’ supplemental memorandum was filed on March 18, 1991. Plaintiffs’ supplemental brief was filed on March 29, 1991. On April 5, 1991, defendants replied to plaintiffs’ supplemental memorandum.

A. The AFDC Program

The federal government provides approximately half of the funding for the AFDC program, and the states and their political subdivisions provide the remaining funds. 42 U.S.C. § 602(a)(2); 3 Velasquez Declaration, II2. While state participation in the AFDC program is voluntary, 4 a state’s election to participate obligates it to comply with the federal statutes and regulations which govern the program. King v. Smith, 392 U.S. 309, 316-17, 88 S.Ct. 2128, 2132-33, 20 L.Ed.2d 1118 (1968); accord Philbrook v. Glodgett, 421 U.S. 707, 95 S.Ct. 1893, 44 L.Ed.2d 525 (1975). California participates in the AFDC program. Answer of Defendants Deukmejian, Hayes, and McMahan, 1117; Answer of Defendant Davis, ¶ 1.

Federal law provides that “aid to families with dependent children shall ... be furnished with reasonable promptness to all eligible individuals____” 42 U.S.C. § 602(a)(10)(A). The regulations implementing the AFDC program further provide that benefits “shall be continued regularly to all eligible individuals until they are found to be ineligible.” 45 C.F.R. § 206.-10(a)(5)(i). Participating states may not terminate, suspend, reduce, or discontinue benefits without giving recipients 10 days prior written notice. 42 U.S.C. § 602(a)(4); 5 45 C.F.R. § 205.10(a)(4)(i) 6 , *542 (a)(4)(i)(A), 7 and (a)(4)(iii). 8

B. California Law

The California Constitution sets a June 15 deadline for adoption of the state’s annual budget. Cal. Const, art. IV, § 12(c). In five of the last eight years the legislature has failed to meet this deadline. See 1983 Cal.Stat. ch. 324; 1987 Cal.Stat. ch. 135; 1988 Cal.Stat. ch. 313; 1989 CahStat. ch. 93; 1990 Cal.Stat. ch. 467. The California Constitution, as well as a state statute, preclude the defendants from issuing funds absent legislative authorization. Cal. Const, art. XVI, § 7; 9 Cal.Gov’t Code § 13340. 10

II. MOOTNESS

Defendants’ opposition to the instant motion rests on their contention that this action does not present a justiciable case or controversy within the meaning of article III, § 2 of the United States Constitution. Defendants argue that the action is moot because the budget crisis of 1990 has passed and that no such crisis yet exists as to the 1991 budget.

Federal courts lack the power to decide legal questions in a vacuum. Courts may only determine matters which arise in the context of a genuine “case” or “controversy” within the meaning of article III.

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Bluebook (online)
770 F. Supp. 539, 91 Daily Journal DAR 9367, 1991 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 9733, 1991 WL 130614, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/pratt-v-wilson-caed-1991.