The Public Blawg

This blawg covers court decisions and other news relevant to the practice of public law. It also provides information about law conferences and links to recently issued government documents.

Author: Ben Reyes and Claudia Gorham are partners at Meyers Nave in Oakland, Calif., and Brian Crossman, Jesse Lad and Eugenia Amador are associates.

Blawg Related Categories: Administrative Law • Law Firms • States • California • Associate • Partner • Legal Information

Recent Posts from The Public Blawg

Owners and Operators of Municipal Sewer Systems May Be Liable Under CERCLA for Contamination Caused by Third Parties
A recent decision by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California may re-energize plaintiffs who hope to recover contamination clean-up costs from public agency sewer system owners. In Adobe Lumber, Inc. v.…
California Supreme Court denies request for review, depublication of appellate decision regarding application of inclusionary housing ordinance to rental developments
The California Supreme Court denied a petition for review and depublication of the Second District's decision in Palmer/Sixth Street Properties v. City of Los Angeles. The appellate court decision was significant in holding that Los…
Contract Terms That Apply Beyond this Galaxy… Seriously!
It must be close to Halloween. At least that is the explanation for the interesting story that appears in today’s Wall Street Journal, entitled “Lawyerese Goes Galatic as Contracts Try to Master the Universe.” Written…
Gas Station Franchisee Entitled to Independent Claim for Loss of Business Goodwill
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will be required to pay a stipulated judgment ($704,500) for loss of business goodwill to the operator and sub-lessee of a gas station/mini mart whose franchise was terminated as…
Pension Reform Group Pursuing California Ballot Initiative that Would Alter Many Public Employer Pension Benefits
The Contra Costa Times has reported that the California Foundation for Fiscal Responsibility hopes to qualify a ballot initiative for the November 2010 election that would substantially alter many public employer pensions for new hires.…
Court of Appeal Revokes City's Anti-SLAPP Protection in Case Where Plaintiff Claimed First Amendment Protections
The California Court of Appeal, Sixth Appellate District, recently reversed a trial court judgment entered in favor of the City of Morgan Hill pursuant to California's anti-SLAPP statute (Code of Civil Procedure section 425.16.) SLAPP…
SB 375 - RTAC Issues Final Report on Setting Greenhouse Gas Emission Targets
The latest step in the implementation of SB 375, a report issued by the Regional Targets Advisory Committee (RTAC) recommending methodologies for setting regional greenhouse gas (GhG) targets, was published yesterday. SB 375 requires that…
California Energy Commission Releases Guidelines on Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants for Small Cities and Counties
On September 16, the California Energy Commission (CEC) released long-awaited guidance on grant allocations for small cities and counties. Under federal law, the CEC is required to allocate 60% of its federal funding directly to…
Court of Appeal Holds Developer Cannot Sue City for Violations of CEQA and Constitutional Law Where City Rejects Project Before Completing EIR
In a significant published CEQA and land use decision, the Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, rejected a developer’s challenge to the City of Los Angeles’ decision to reject the annexation and approval of a…
UPDATE: California Supreme Court to Review Appellate Court Determination that Prevailing Wage Law Does Not Apply to Locally Funded Projects of Charter Cities
On August 19, 2009 the California Supreme Court granted review of the Fourth Appellate District's opinion in State Building & Construction Trades Council v. City of Chula Vista. In this case, the Court of Appeal…