Maryland City Raises Property Tax on Businesses by 800 Percent, in Bid to Attract More Businesses
Now they're being sued for it.
Local Government
Should Local Governments Have Greater Autonomy from States?
Leading legal scholars on opposite sides of the political spectrum argue that the answer is yes. But it will not be easy to figure out how to do it.
Food Trucks Still Under Attack from Regulators
Some cities have warmed to them, but protectionist policies still oppress.
City Orders Businesses to Join Its Police Surveillance System
Saginaw demands that establishments install video cameras and turn over footage.
City Demands $6,000 from Woman over Illegal Chickens
A municipal scheme with a private prosecution firm leads to outrageous fines in the California desert.
This California City Is Threatening a Family Over Property Fines Sent to a Dead Woman at the Wrong Address
An already awful practice of trying to use code violations as a revenue stream gets truly grotesque.
Good Samaritans in Southern California Cited for Feeding the Homeless
El Cajon is just the latest city to abuse "public safety" fears to control how people help each other.
Stop Expecting the Justice Department to Fix Your City's Abusive Fining and Policing Practices
Accountability starts at home.
Upstate N.Y. Town Defeats Anti-Farming Bill
A dispute with neighbor spurred a measure to crack down on smaller properties. But the town's large agricultural community fought back.
Judge Halts Indiana Town's Cruel Attempt to Fine Residents Out of their Properties
Property owners were ordered to pay thousands for violations unless they agreed to sell to a redeveloper.
Man Says He Was Choked Until He Pooped His Pants for Trying to Pay Parking Ticket With Pennies
No one is pettier than government.
Minor Violations Lead to Massive Prosecution Fees in Two California Desert Towns
A couple of busted windows can result in a bill for thousands-even tens of thousands-of dollars.
Denver Cashes in by Seizing Cars for Low-Level Crimes, Even Without Convictions
The city earns more than $2 million a year grabbing more than 1,800 vehicles.
All Local Politics Are Stupid (In Part Because They're National)
The dreary New York Voter Guide is a festival of anti-Trump show-offery and a failure to recognize what the offices and jurisdictions entail.
Hey, Berkeley Mayor: Do Your Job and Protect Free Speech in Your City
The possibility of violent reactions should not be used to call for censorship.
California May Have Just Made It Easier for Cities to Hike Taxes
Ballot initiatives may be permitted to ignore two-thirds vote rule. Prepare for corruption.
Chicago to Give Back Millions in Traffic Camera Fines
The latest setback for one of the most corrupt citation systems in the country
A Deep Dive Into Dysfunction in City Government in Richmond
A review of the bureaucracy in the Virginia capital found what most people suspected, that City Hill stinks.
Wisconsin Ordinance Would Waste Tax Dollars on Public Art
Madison won't be the first town to do this.
City-Owned Fiber Networks Are a Terrible Idea
How municipal broadband drains local taxpayers
Chicago Alderman Tells Property Owners to 'Come Back to Me on Your Knees' or Face Zoning Changes
Meet Alderman Proco Joe Moreno, the petty tyrant of Chicago's First Ward who uses "aldermanic privilege" to do whatever he wants.
Grand Forks Demands Residents Pay For Sidewalk No One Wants
One resident will have to pay $8,500 to install a municipally mandated walkway.
Oklahoma Cop, Police Chief Forced Out For Arresting City Councilman's Son
They are now facing possible investigation by the city of Vian.
Publicly-Funded Ballparks Are for Suckers
The cases of Hartford, Ct., Richmond, Va., and Gwinnett, Ga.
Another Compromise to Dump N.C.'s Transgender Bathroom Panic Law Draws Criticism (UPDATE: Governor Signs into Law)
State still wants to keep cities from adding to antidiscrimination protections.
You're Not Really a 'Sanctuary City' If You Keep Sending the Police to Harass the Poor
Oppressive municipal codes expose immigrants to potential deportation methods.
This Indiana Town Wants to Fine a Community Out of Existence on Behalf of Private Developers
Charlestown can't seize the properties, so it's citing them to force them to sell.
Why Aren't More Americans Moving?
People used to chase economic opportunity across the country. Then the government got in the way.
Gurgaon: India's Private City
An Indian city's embrace of globalism, trade, and hypergrowth is a living response to the protectionist impulse sweeping America.
This LA Musician Built $1,200 Tiny Houses for the Homeless
Elvis Summers crowdfunded $100,000 to build dozens of tiny homes. City officials looking to pass a $2 billion housing plan tried to shut him down.
King County, Washington, Caught Digging Through Residents' Trash
Officials' goal is to encourage people to put their food waste in the compost bin.
Shiftless in Seattle: Lawmakers Pass Onerous New Scheduling Ordinance
Seattle city council seeks to micromanage workers' schedules.
Local Government Told Girl She Needed $3,500 for Lemonade Stand Permit. The Internet Helped Her Get It
Her story has a happy ending, but the regulations that nearly shut down her lemonade stand have serious consequences for other businesses.
The Legal Marijuana Business Will Be as Complicated and Confusing as Everything Else in California
A flood of local initiatives introduced in response to state vote.
NJ Police Union President Writes His Mayor Five Tickets While on His Side Job
Police union backing police chief the mayor is trying to demote.
Philly Chinese Restaurants Looking to Get Late Night Curfew Lifted
2005 ordinance led to creation of the Chinese restaurant association.
GOP Wants Constitutional Amendment to Give Parents Control Over Kids' Education
The proposed amendment is a new addition to the Republican platform.
State and Local Spending On Prisons Has Grown Three Times as Fast as Spending on Schools, Says New Report
Young black males without a high school diploma are more likely to be incarcerated than employed.
