In mid-August, Alabama cities and a school district (“localities”) sued the commissioner of the Alabama Department of Revenue seeking, in essence, to “de-simplify” the state’s sales and use tax system. The localities claim...more
In a major recent decision, the California Court of Appeal rejected a city’s interpretation of what constitutes an “objective” standard under the Housing Accountability Act (HAA), Government Code section 65589.5, and upheld...more
California Appellate Court Says Charter City Cannot Block California Values Act - In a significant decision addressing the tension between charter city “home rule” authority and state law, a California appellate court...more
Massachusetts is a Home Rule state (Commonwealth, actually, but that’s a separate issue). Our 351 cities and towns can pretty much legislate as they please, so long as the local action is not preempted. Our state Wetlands...more