Psychics’ Fees Reduced
Fortunetellers in Redondo Beach can confidently predict higher profits since the City Council Tuesday lowered the business license fees for psychic operators to $81 from $576.50.
City Atty. Gordon Phillips recommended the reduction to the council in a report citing recent U. S. Supreme Court and California appellate court decisions that banned discriminatory fees, charges or taxes on First Amendment activities.
“Fortunetelling has been held to be a First Amendment activity. The existing fee is so disproportionate that in all likelihood it would be found constitutionally wanting. The proposed fee brings the license fee into conformity with other businesses,” Phillips wrote.
Four fortunetellers have licenses to operate in the city, a city employee said.
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