18. Which of the following is the proper result in a suit brought by Scarletville taxicab owners challenging the constitutionality of this Kelly County ordinance?

B is correct. The ordinance classifies on the basis of county residency: only residents of Kelly County can register taxicabs there, and only registered taxicabs can pick up or drop off passengers in the county. The ordinance effectively gives Kelly residents a monopoly over the taxicab business in the guise of reducing congestion. This monopoly burdens interstate commerce, and because there is no limit on the number of taxicabs that can be registered, it is difficult to see how the ordinance will reduce congestion. Thus, the ordinance impermissibly burdens interstate commerce without adequate justification.

A is incorrect. This choice is based solely on substantive due process, which is not the best basis for why the Scarletville taxicab owners will prevail. Even if the measure reduced the congestion a bit, it would be rationally related to a legitimate government interest and might be constitutional if it did not impair interstate commerce.

C is incorrect. Even though the ordinance classifies on the basis of county rather than state residency, it still burdens against interstate commerce because it also prohibits taxicabs owned by State B citizens to work across state lines. Because this county is on the state border, the restriction necessarily burdens interstate commerce.

D is incorrect. An ordinance burdening interstate commerce must be necessary to promote a legitimate interest, and this measure is not necessary.