VICTORY! Open-Space Tax Ruled Illegal

On July 14, 2008, SVTA won its lawsuit against Santa Clara County's Open Space Authority and that agency's 2001 illegal "special assessment" on property owners. The California Supreme Court ruled unanimously and supported all of our points. This ruling is a boon for all California taxpayers, who would likely have been subject to similar unconstitutional taxes in their local jurisdictions, had we lost the case.

Click here for the press release (PDF format) from the law offices of our attorney, Tony Tanke.

Click here for the court's decision (MS Word format).

Click here for a statement (MS Word format) from Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, a major co-plaintiff in the case.

Click here for the article posted on line by the San Jose Mercury News on July 14, 2008 (also posted on our "Issues" page).

 

 

Past Updates

Oral arguments to be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2008

A memo from SVTA's attorney, Tony J. Tanke, to SVTA Members and Supporters

Ladies and Gentlemen:

          The fateful moment has arrived.  Our case will be heard by the California Supreme Court--the "court of last resort" for state constitutional questions--on Tuesday, May 6 on the 9 a.m. calendar.  The argument will take one hour (1/2 hour per side), and will conclude before noon.  Other cases will be argued as well.

          If you would like to attend, the court is located at 350 McAllister Street, San Francisco, 4th Floor.  The proceedings are open to the public.

          The decision will follow in writing within 90 days of the hearing. We will report the results when they are received.

          Let me know if you have any questions.  Your thoughts, prayers, and good wishes are in order.  Thank you all for your support.

          Let's win one for the taxpayer!

Tony J. Tanke, Attorney-at-Law
April 28, 2008

Another Sales Tax to fund BART to San Jose?

After our alliance of concerned groups (Citizens for Sensible Transportation) convinced enough voters to defeat  Measure A's proposed half-cent sales tax in June of 2006, VTA is at it again. 

SB 264 would permit sales taxes in increments of 1/8-cent. Will we soon see a new 1/8-cent tax measure on Santa Clara County's ballot? Or perhaps even a 3/8-cent tax?

VTA Riders Union, one of SVTA's allies in this campaign, has posted information on "How YOU Can Stop SB 264 - the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority's Latest Sales Tax Scheme." Please pay them a visit, and help us keep this most inefficient agency from squandering even more of our earnings.