The first district court of appeals, of the republic of california, hands down Lambert v. San Francisco (california), affirming, as reasonable, the decision of the City/County Board of Supervisors to require a 600,000 “dollar” payment for a permit to operate a Victorian hotel.

       Question: Is this extortion?

       [added 4/3/2023]

       Of course it’s extortion, but the hotelier will consider it a cost of doing business and add it to room rates, bar bills, etc.  So who always ends up paying? –– JL