It’s time for real eminent domain reform
“Many Texans may remember me, the former mayor of the small town of DISH in the Barnett Shale, for bringing attention to the health and environmental impacts of fracking a few years ago. But those…
Hill: Martin’s Beach bill still has bite
“Earlier this year, state Sen. Jerry Hill signaled that seizing a private dirt road for the public good could be the only way to restore access to the secluded Martin’s Beach. In a controversial step,…
Will city settle or scuffle to defend its building ordinance?
“There is a law named for him: the Bert J. Harris Jr. Private Property Rights Protection Act. According to the Coalition for Property Rights, “The Bert Harris Act was created to restore balance to the…
Aposporos: Will city settle or scuffle to defend its building ordinance?
“Bert Harris meant no harm. This former Florida state representative, citrus grower and rancher is a hero of property rights activists. There is a law named for him: the Bert J. Harris Jr. Private Property…
House Votes to Protect Private Property Rights, Halting EPA and Army Corps’ Land Grab
“Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5078 Waters of the United States Regulatory Overreach Protection Act of 2014 in an attempt to halt the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’…
Martins Beach access bill headed to governor
“Legislation that could mean greater public access to Martins Beach in San Mateo County cleared its final legislative hurdle on Thursday and now awaits Gov. Jerry Brown’s signature. The state Senate approved Senate Bill 968…
Legislators are wary of pipeline plan
“Since state Rep. Sheila Harrington first learned about a proposed natural-gas pipeline across Massachusetts earlier this year, she’s received dozens of calls from constituents. Some are concerned about the environmental impacts to conservation lands that…
California appellate court vindicates Proposition 13’s eminent domain protection
“Enacted by voters as a ballot initiative in 1978, California’s Proposition 13 gives property owners relief on their tax bills by limiting property taxes to one percent of a property’s value, with a maximum two…
TX Railroad Commission to close eminent domain loophole, but still too vague
“The Texas Railroad Commission, that regulates the oil and gas industry, recently proposed a new rule to close the so-called ’T-4’ loophole that’s long allowed private pipeline companies to claim common carrier status by simply…
Puerto Rico Recovery Act May Be Struck Down
“Assured Guaranty Ltd. (NYSE:AGO), MBIA Inc. (NYSE:MBI) and Ambac Financial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMBC) have exposures of $2.6 billion, $2.5 billion and $897.9 million respectively to various Puerto Rico entities that are eligible to restructure under…