Baltimore Must Defend Claim Its Tax Sale Law Is Unconstitutional

The city of Baltimore failed to toss a suit alleging that its tax foreclosure scheme is unconstitutional after a federal judge determined that a community center owner and resident who filed the complaint sufficiently alleged a violation of the US Constitution’s takings clause.

Edmondson Community Organization and Baltimore resident Bonita Anderson said they only were compensated based on the difference between the amount of their tax debt and the purchase price of the tax lien, yet their former properties were sold for significantly more.

Purchasers of the tax liens—the government’s claims on the properties—were entitled to gain the property via ...