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Fighting Zoning in Houston
This post is the third in a series. In early January 1990 (I think it was January 1) the local newspaper carried a story that a Houston City Councilman was going to introduce a zoning ordinance. A friend called me that day and suggested that we fight the ordinance. I immediately agreed. Over the next…
When the Punishment Doesn’t Fit the Non-crime
Civil asset forfeiture allows law enforcement agencies to seize property that they believe was used in illegal activity. But they do not have to charge the property owner with a crime to keep or use the seized property. Instead, the owner is deemed guilty until he proves his innocence. In the vast majority of asset…
Principles, Politics, and Planning, Part 2
In the last post, we saw that Austin’s attempt to rewrite it’s land-use regulations (called CodeNext) has resulted in great controversy and divisiveness. That divisiveness is not the result of the process that was used, but instead, the cause was the principle that underlies CodeNext. By their very nature, land-use regulations are an attempt to…
Should We Allow STRs?
A recent article about short-term rentals (STRs) in Corpus Christi begins with the question: “Should companies like Airbnb be allowed to do business in Corpus Christi?” The principle underlying that question poses a threat to every productive individual. Individual rights protect our freedom to act as we judge best, so long as we respect the…
Rent Control is Fascism
During the reign of Donald Trump, it was fashionable to compare him to Adolf Hitler. Trump certainly exhibited dictator-like characteristics, but that comparison was used to mask policies that are much more consistent with Hitler. For example, rent control is fascism. In recent years, rent control has become more popular as a means for keeping…