Relying on Petty Fines To Fund City Government Can Have Serious Consequences
"Taxation by citation" harms the harmless and destroys trust in civic institutions.
"Taxation by citation" harms the harmless and destroys trust in civic institutions.
This year, Mississippi and North Carolina both ditched a vague "good moral character" clause that kept occupational licensing out of reach for people with criminal records.
Governing puts together a database of cities and towns addicted to money from fines and forfeitures.
No diploma, no making money telling people how to eat better.
Florida man may lose home because he didn’t cut his grass.
Local governments can't outlaw home vegetable gardens under a new Florida law.
A provision of the Taxpayer First Act requires evidence of other illegal activity for seizures based on "structuring" and mandates prompt hearings.
The lawsuit is the second filed this year challenging Chicago's punitive and corrupt towing program.
A new study by the Institute for Justice says federal asset forfeiture funds have little to no impact on solving crimes, suggesting police are more interested in the revenue it generates
The ruling says it's acceptable for cities to use ordinances to protect some businesses from competitors.
Restaurateurs get protection from small competitors. It’s the citizens who lose out on delicious food choices.
A Savannah, Georgia, law that required testing and licensing of tour guides is found unconstitutional.
Institute for Justice sues Dunedin, Fla., over the $29,000 in fines imposed without due process over Jim Ficken's unmowed lawn.
Following a Reason investigation into Chicago's punitive vehicle impound program, a new lawsuit alleges the practice violates Chicagoans constitutional rights.
A bill in the state legislature would stop cities from seizing property and handing it over to developers.
The Cato Institute and Institute for Justice team up to fight for the right to publish a book attacking behavior by the SEC.
Institute for Justice to city: Show probable cause, guys.
Citizens of Coachella and Indio are fighting back against the private law firm that charged them for their own prosecutions.
Federal Judge Raymond Moore applies strict scrutiny to a system with the power to restrict political speech and finds it unreasonable to outsource that power to anyone and everyone.
A bill would stop the use of private lawyers to try to force residents to pay massive fees for minor crimes.
Victims of stealth taxes are suing Doraville, Georgia, for violating their due process rights.
Pagedale, Missouri, will stop trying to fine you for having mismatched curtains or saggy pants.
CBP won't return the cash unless the owner signs an illegal waiver.
Fontana called them "zoning fees." They were actually demanding that residents repay the cost of prosecuting them for minor crimes.
Libertarian state Sen. Laura Ebke's bill triggers a review of state licensing laws, opens more opportunities for individuals with criminal histories.
Some cities have warmed to them, but protectionist policies still oppress.
A municipal scheme with a private prosecution firm leads to outrageous fines in the California desert.
"These women can give their baked goods away for free."
A judge suspends oppressive city regulations as too vague, but the fight's probably not over.
Regulations that limit food truck operations are a protectionist scam.
Protectionism at play? Politicians say food trucks are "unfair competition" for restaurants.
Property owners were ordered to pay thousands for violations unless they agreed to sell to a redeveloper.
The quick resolution of Phil Parhamovich's case shows once again that standing up to money-grabbing bullies can pay off.
A court says a city can squash your property rights because it thinks vegetables are ugly.
Occupational licensing runs amok in a familiar story.
Want to give people a tour? It might not be as easy as you think.
Thousands of patients who might have been helped died while rule was pending.
Truck operator: "I feel like this city is about nepotism, cronyism and favoritism."
Higher threshold required to trigger civil asset forfeiture in bill signed by governor.
The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals dealt an important ruling for food freedom this week.
Arizona licensing board finally backs down from an expensive, unnecessary mandate that nearly forced three women to give up their careers as animal masseuses.
Charlestown can't seize the properties, so it's citing them to force them to sell.