Articles

Déjà vu in the California courts

April 19, 2012 | By JENNIFER THOMPSON

In 1978, California voters passed Proposition 13, a property tax relief initiative.  Hailed as a “modern Boston Tea party,” Proposition 13 amended the state Constitution to substantially alter California’s system of taxation.  It limited property taxes to 1% of the value of property, prohibited the assessed value of property fro ...

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PLF files brief in Proposition 13 case

April 27, 2012 | By JENNIFER THOMPSON

Yesterday, PLF filed a friend-of-the-court brief in Young v. Schmidt.  This is the case that challenges Proposition 13’s requirement that all new taxes imposed by the state Legislature pass by a two-thirds vote.  As discussed, Charles Young—the plaintiff in the case and former UCLA chancellor—has argued that this section of Proposition ...

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Victory in Proposition 13 case

July 24, 2012 | By JENNIFER THOMPSON

Today in Young v. Schmidt the California Court of Appeal upheld Proposition 13’s requirement that all state taxes pass by a two-thirds vote of the Legislature.  In a terse, unpublished opinion, the court struck down former UCLA Chancellor Charles Young’s attempt to overturn this part of Proposition 13.  Young had argued that the super ...

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President's weekly report — November 26, 2012

November 26, 2012 | By ROB RIVETT

I hope everyone had an enjoyable Thanksgiving Holiday.  We all have much to be thankful for.  Without further ado, here are the highlights of last week’s case developments. Property Rights — Koontz in the United States Supreme Court We filed our opening brief in Koontz v. St. Johns Water Management District in the United States ̷ ...

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The California Supreme Court gets it right in Proposition 13 case

November 30, 2012 | By JENNIFER THOMPSON

In light of the Court’s recent, disappointing decision in the Pacific Palisades Coastal Commission case, it’s encouraging to note when the Court got it right in Young v. Schmidt.  This was the case brought by former UCLA Chancellor Charles Young challenging Proposition 13’s legislative super-majority vote requirement.  Young m ...

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President's weekly report — April 19, 2013

April 19, 2013 | By ROB RIVETT

Limited Government — Tax Limitations We filed our petition and complaint in Morning Star Packing Company v. California Air Resources Board.  This is the case where we allege that California’s unique system of creating an auction for emission credits under AB 32 violates the California Constitution because scheme to raise billions of do ...

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Desperately seeking rent

May 24, 2013 | By TONY FRANCOIS

PLF represents Morning Star Packing Co and others in their constitutional challenge to California’s illegal greenhouse gas allowance auction.  A hearing this week at the California State Senate illustrated how high the stakes in this fight are.  California anticipated collecting $1 billion dollars (cue Dr. Evil) to balance its budget this y ...

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California appellate court vindicates Proposition 13’s eminent domain protection

July 25, 2014 | By JENNIFER THOMPSON

Enacted by voters as a ballot initiative in 1978, California’s Proposition 13 gives property owners relief on their tax bills by limiting property taxes to one percent of a property’s value, with a maximum two percent increase for inflation per year. The property’s “base value”—used to calculate the one percent billâ ...

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California Supreme Court to scrutinize city’s money grab

August 26, 2015 | By RALPH KASARDA

Are you paying hidden taxes through your electric utility bill?  The residents of Redding are, and a lawsuit to stop it has reached the California Supreme Court.  PLF attorneys filed a brief last week challenging those taxes in Citizens for Fair REU Rates v. Redding. When the Redding City Council approved the city’s budgets for … ...