Articles

PLF goes to court tomorrow to challenge illegal tax on homeowners

March 04, 2015 | By TONY FRANCOIS

Tomorrow morning I will be arguing in Contra Costa Superior Court against an illegal tax levied against new homeowners by the City of San Ramon, California. San Ramon used California’s Mello-Roos Act, the purpose of which is to fund new public facilities and new public services, to impose a parcel tax of more than $500 … ...

Articles

Challenging local government taxing schemes

November 10, 2015 | By DAMIEN SCHIFF

Yesterday we filed our opening brief on appeal in Building Industry Association — Bay Area v. San Ramon.  The case, pending in the California court of appeal in San Francisco, concerns a challenge to a property tax levied by a City of San Ramon community facilities district.  Our appeal contends that the tax is illegal, for … ...

Articles

Well, that was fast!

December 22, 2016 | By DAMIEN SCHIFF

Yesterday, the California Supreme Court denied without opinion our petition for review in Building Industry Association — Bay Area v. City of San Ramon (a mere two days after we filed our reply brief!). The case challenged San Ramon’s new Mello-Roos special tax and levying ordinance under the Act as well as the federal and state const ...