Judge says San Diego hotel tax is legal - San Diego, California Talk Radio Station - 760 KFMB AM - 760kfmb

Judge says San Diego hotel tax is legal

SAN DIEGO (AP) — A judge says a San Diego hotel room tax that would raise $35 million a year is legal but appeals are likely.

U-T San Diego says a Superior Court judge issued a final ruling on Thursday. The judge found that the tax is an acceptable means of raising money to finance a $520 million expansion of the city convention center.

Hotel owners approved the tax last year. It would add a 1- to 3-percent room surcharge to guest bills.

Opponents say the tax should have been submitted to a general public vote. They plan to appeal, which could delay the expansion project for a year or more.

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Information from: U-T San Diego, http://www.utsandiego.com