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Property Rights are the Solution to Racism
In my book, The Affordable Housing Crisis: Causes and Cures, I provide numerous examples of how racism has prevented non-whites from owning a house and building wealth. Zoning, occupational licensing, eminent domain, and numerous other government policies have often been founded on racism. All of these policies, and many more, are a violation of property…
A No-brainer for Gov. Abbott
On October 2, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott sent a letter to the Prime Minister of Japan voicing his support for the high speed railroad proposed to be built between Dallas and Houston by Texas Central Railroad. Texans Against High-Speed Rail, a group opposed to the project, contacted the governor and argued that he had been…
Conflicting Values?
With the 2019 legislative session just a few months away, the proposed bullet train between Dallas and Houston is once again gaining increased attention. In both 2015 and 2017, both opponents and supporters of the project descended on Austin to argue their positions. To many, the bullet train represents a conflict of values. For example,…
Low-income Individuals Need Property Rights
Government programs and policies may help some low-income individuals survive, but they do not and cannot lift anyone from poverty. Only the protection of property rights enables individuals to improve their economic status, and this is particularly true of those who have little or no property. The right to property means the freedom to create,…
Picking Winners and Losers in Rowlett
In 2015, the city of Rowlett condemned a private driveway to improve traffic flow between two shopping centers. The owner of the driveway–KMS Retail Rowlett–filed suit. The trial court ruled in favor of the city, and that verdict was upheld on appeal. The case has reached the Texas Supreme Court, which heard arguments in early…
A Room with a View
The owner of a Miami Beach hotel—Setai Hotel Acquisition LLC–is suing the city over a zoning change. Zoning officials approved a change that would allow BHI Miami Limited to make additions to a building it recently purchased. Setai claims that the additions will block ocean views in many of its rooms, those views are a…