Similar Posts
A Case Study in Nuisance
Misunderstandings about property rights abound, with nuisance near the top of the list. A controversy in California provides an interesting case study in nuisance. The concept of nuisance as a violation of property rights has its roots in common law. A property owner, according to the concept, has a right to the peaceful use of…
Property Rights in Space: A False Framework
In 1967, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union signed the Outer Space Treaty. While the treaty states that no country can claim sovereignty over outer space or any celestial body, it says nothing about what individuals may do. With a growing number of private companies making successful launches into space, pundits…
A Landmark Property Rights Case
In early February, a Florida judge upheld an a provision in the Destin city charter that limits buildings to a height of six stories. The city had been sued by the Destin Fishing Fleet Inc. which claimed that the value of its property value had been diminished. The city called the ruling “a landmark private…
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…
When the Principle is on the Other Foot
During the past several sessions of the Texas Legislature, lawmakers have tried to slap down numerous local ordinances that they correctly say violate property rights. Laws protecting trees, restricting banning short-term rentals, and bans on plastic bags have been among their targets. As we have previously written, it is proper for the legislature to prohibit…
Abbott’s Monument to Delusion
In June, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced a plan for the state to build a wall along its border with Mexico. Trump’s plan to make Mexico pay for his border wall had a very loose relationship with reality from the beginning, and the same can be said about Abbott’s plan. In making his announcement, Abbott…