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Who Protects Us From Our Protectors?
The Trump Administration is reportedly preparing “Declaration of Taking” papers that would allow the federal government to seize private property in Texas for the border wall. While the government’s threat to seize land for the wall is nothing new, the “Declaration of Taking” is new. The government has long threatened to use eminent domain to…
An Eminent Domain Debate by Non-essentials
A recent “debate” on San Angelo Live! provides an illuminating example of focusing on non-essential issues when discussing property rights issues. On August 6, Brian McLaughlin, a director at the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, wrote a piece that claimed: Unfortunately, landowners facing the threat of eminent domain stand little chance of being treated…
Cornerstone of Liberty
Cornerstone of Liberty: Property Rights in 21st Century America, by Timothy Sandefur and Christina Sandefur, presents a compelling story about the importance of property rights. Private property rights are not just dry abstractions of political philosophy. Nor is property a mere economic concept. Like the freedoms of speech or religion, private property affects our everyday…
Friday Roundup 7-16-21
Writing in the Washington Times, George Mason University law professor Ilya Somin addresses the issue of “just compensation” required under the Fifth Amendment when eminent domain is used to seize property. Somin notes that courts typically equate “just compensation” with “fair market value.” However, many owners attach a value to their property far above what…
Eminent Domain in the Medical Center
ByjbpThis was originally posted on Live Oaks on April 22, 2009. Comments have not been migrated. I previously wrote about the use of eminent domain by the Texas Medical Center to seize land for an expansion. Now, the Texas legislature is considering a bill that will strip Houston’s largest employer of most of its eminent…
Strange Bedfellows
It is said that politics sometimes makes strange bedfellows. Politicians who seem to oppose one another on virtually every issue can occasionally agree on one particular issue. In this instance, the bedfellows aren’t two opposing politicians, but two politicians and property rights. Democratic representatives Ruben Gallego of Arizona and Beto O’Rourke of Texas recently announced…