State restaurant owners seek refunds of state and local fees amid pandemic

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - California restaurant owners from across the state, including San Diego County, filed government claims Monday, Oct. 26 seeking refunds of state and local fees assessed during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying public health orders have forced them to shutter their doors or operate under capacity restrictions even as they're charged fees for liquor licenses, health permits and tourism assessments.

The claims were filed in San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange, Sacramento and Monterey counties. Claims will also be filed in San Francisco, Fresno and Placer counties, according to the restau...