May 13, 2013
Over the last few months the League has been tracking and reporting on the number of lawsuits that have been filed in Sacramento County Superior Court contesting either parts of AB 1484, the redevelopment agency dissolution implementation law passed in 2012, or specific actions by the Department of Finance, which is charged under state law with administering the dissolution process.
May 6, 2013
This morning the California Supreme Court, in a long-awaited opinion, rejected a challenge to the city of Riverside’s ordinance banning medical marijuana dispensaries. The Court held that neither the state’s Compassionate Use Act nor the Medical Marijuana Program limit a city or county from regulating the use of land, and cities and counties retained the authority to provide that medical marijuana dispensaries are not permitted to operate within their borders
April 19, 2013
In a blunt assessment, the National Federation of Municipal Analysts (NFMA) has criticized ABx1 26 and AB 1484, the 2012 legislation dissolving redevelopment agencies, as causing havoc in California’s municipal bond market in the name of funding state budget shortfalls.
April 19, 2013
Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Michael Kenny heard oral arguments earlier today in League of California Cities v. Ana Matosantos, the League’s challenge to portions of AB 1484, the 2012 redevelopment budget trailer bill.
March 29, 2013
Since Gov. Jerry Brown signed ABx1 26 on June 28, 2011, 81 lawsuits have been filed in Sacramento County Superior Court related to this statute and the later-enacted statute, AB 1484 (2012).
March 29, 2013
The Administrative Office of the Courts invites city officials to participate in its upcoming Distributions of Revenues from Fines and Fees Statewide Revenue Distribution Training on Thursday, April 4 from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
March 19, 2013
The League was disappointed to learn that Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Lloyd Connelly issued an opinion on Monday, March 18, denying the League’s petition challenging the constitutionality of the Legislature’s 2011 decision to fund the criminal justice realignment program in part with vehicle license fee (VLF) revenues.
February 28, 2013
Cities are loyal to the League and supportive of its services.
February 12, 2013
Initially, successes in cases filed by local agencies challenging AB x1 26 and AB 1484 were few and far between, but recently positive results have started to emerge.
February 7, 2013
The California Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Tuesday in City of Riverside v. Inland Empire Patient’s Health and Wellness Center – the case challenging Riverside’s ordinance banning medical marijuana dispensaries.
February 4, 2013
Tomorrow the California Supreme Court will hear oral argument in City of Riverside v. Inland Empire Patient’s Health and Wellness Center (Case No. S198638) involving the city’s ban on medical marijuana dispensaries. This closely-watched case will address the extent to which the state medical marijuana laws may pre-empt local land use and business regulation authority.
January 25, 2013
This year’s Municipal Law Institute Symposium, “Local Governments Navigating the California Constitution: Rough Water and Shifting Sands,” will be held on Feb. 8 at the UC Berkeley School of Law. Attendees will earn 5.75 hours of MCLE credit.
January 11, 2013
The Sacramento County Superior Court has been flooded since last summer with challenges to AB 1484 (2012), the redevelopment agency dissolution implementation bill, including the case filed by the League of California Cities.
January 11, 2013
The California Attorney General on behalf of a class including cities, counties, school districts and special districts, sued Chunghwa Picture Tubes, LTD for over charging resulting from a price fixing conspiracy for LCD screens found in various electronics including televisions, computer monitors and laptops purchased between 1996 and 2006.
January 4, 2013
The League’s City Attorneys’ Department announced today that it will host an important webinar titled “Responding to Realignment Impacts and Deadly Weapons in the Community” on Feb. 13. Registration is now open.
January 4, 2013
The most popular articles on the Western City magazine website for the month of December include features on ethics, the second amendment, open government and more.
December 19, 2012
The California Supreme Court confirmed Monday in Jankey v. Lee that a prevailing defendant in a disability access lawsuit is entitled to recover attorney’s fees and costs from the plaintiff – when the plaintiff alleges both a federal claim under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and a state law claim under Civil Code Section 55. The League filed an amicus brief in the case, supporting the small business owner who prevailed.
December 10, 2012
Last week, the County of Los Angeles asked the California Supreme Court to revisit its decision in City of Alhambra v. County of Los Angeles where the Court held that the method by which the county calculated the Property Tax Administration Fee for the Triple Flip and Vehicle License Fee Swap was not consistent with state law.
December 7, 2012
Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Lloyd Connelly, last month, requested the parties provide additional briefing in the League’s lawsuit, League of California Cities v. Chiang, to address the potential impacts of Proposition 30.
November 30, 2012
The California Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to review a Court of Appeal decision that interpreted state law to limit how general law cities may contract for services.