Last December, the Supreme Court granted certiorari on two same-sex marriage cases. Those cases include Hollingsworth v. Perry, a challenge to California’s controversial Proposition 8 measure, and a case out of New York, U.S. v Windsor, which considers the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). The Supreme Court has now issued opinions on…
On Friday, the Supreme Court of the United States granted certiorari on two same sex marriage cases. Those cases include Hollingsworth v. Perry, a challenge to California’s controversial Proposition 8 measure, and a case out of New York, U.S. v Windsor, which considers the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). As noted on…
Yesterday, Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker in San Francisco ruled that California’s Proposition 8 violates the US Constitution. While there were a lot of cheers and boos after the ruling, you and I both know this means practically nothing. No matter which side Walker came down on, an appeal was a sure thing. I…
Welcome to my fifth in a series on state taxes! For information about what I’m trying to do, read my introductory bit. Next on the agenda, the state that we’ve all heard a lot about this year when it comes to taxes: California! CALIFORNIA Population: 36,756,666 (1st) Capital: Sacramento Largest City: Los Angeles Gross Domestic…
It’s time for our annual review! Here are my picks for the top stories on taxgirl.com for the year: 10, Dancing With The Stars champ and race car driver Helio Castroneves is indicted on federal tax evasion charges. In a related story, my mother is stricken with grief and may never samba again (okay, I’m…
It’s Fix the Tax Code Friday! This week, I’m focusing on taxes, budgets and earmarks. There has been some good discussion about whether Melissa Etheridge’s plan to boycott paying taxes in California in response to Proposition 8 is appropriate. So, I’ll take it a step further. Today’s Fix the Tax Code Friday question is: Should…
Melissa Etheridge is angry. In an article posted on The Daily Beast, Etheridge railed against the passing of Proposition 8 in California. Proposition 8 is, as you may know, a law which defines marriage in California as between a man and a woman. The law supersedes gay marriages in parts of the state, effectively making…
After a contentious fight, as blogged previously, supporters of Prop 8 declared victory in California on yesterday. Proposition 8 defines marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning gay marriage in California. Expect to see this one in court soon – likely on benefits and economic grounds. A federal challenge to the DOMA…
Charles Merrill, cousin of the founder of Merrill Lynch, has filed a challenge in the US Tax Court against the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Merrill is arguing that the Tax Code is discriminatory under the First Amendment Establishment Clause of the US Constitution since same sex couples are denied the same benefits as straight…