Hacker News Reader

This is just wrong.

It's not a government problem - it's a constitutional one - Banning existing billboards is considered both a first amendment problem, and a takings problem.

Doing it without compensation is a constitutional violation, and even if california modified it's constitution, it would be a federal one. Less of one for sure, but still an issue.

The current law (Business & Professions Code § 5412) is a codification of what the court requires.

View on HN

Banning existing billboards isn't a first amendment problem if it's not contingent on the contents of the billboard. Much like some radio frequencies are reserved, other media are forced to obey regulations.

>Doing it without compensation is a constitutional violation, and even if california modified it's constitution, it would be a federal one.

Only matters if the constitution is enforced. Courts can easily overturn previous decisions. If there's a will, there's a way.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com