A pair of bills have been introduced in the current Texas legislative session that would limit the regulations that local governments can impose on short-term rentals (STRs). A coalition of organizations involved in STR support the bills, but those organizations are short-sighted. Rather than oppose any controls and regulations on their economic freedom, these organizations…
More than fifty Texas governments have passed some form of historic preservation laws. Such laws typically prohibit demolition of a designated structure and mandate that any repairs or additions to a building maintain the architectural integrity of the building. Some of these ordinances allow for an historic designation to be applied to a building even…
The hypocrisy of many Republicans regarding the use of eminent domain to build Trump’s border wall has been pointed out by many. Sen. Michael Bennet (D–Colo.), recently took them to task on the floor of the Senate. ___ Texas legislators have introduced two bills that would allow property owners to be compensated for diminished property…
In fighting the Trump Administration’s land grab for the purpose of building the border wall, Texas Democrats are calling for Texas Republicans to show some consistency. For example, Rep. Veronica Escobar, who represents El Paso in the House, notes that Texas Senator John Cornyn supported a recent bill that protect property rights of land owners…
Both “progressives” and conservatives speak about the freedom to choose. Yet, they do so very selectively. They adamantly support an individual’s freedom to choose in regard to some issues, and then are equally adamant in opposing an individual’s freedom to choose in regard to other issues. For example, “progressives” support an individual’s freedom to choose…
The mission of the Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) is to be the voice of Texas agriculture. As such, it frequently voices support for property rights. As an example, in a recent opinion piece, TFB President Russell Boening calls for eminent domain reform to protect property owners. Boening writes: Corporations with this powerful, often abused tool…
Supporters of eminent domain often claim that the Constitution authorizes the government to seize private property for “public uses.” This, they argue, makes the use of eminent domain proper. Lest we forget, slavery was once a part of the Constitution. But that did not make slavery proper or moral. It simply made slavery legal. While…
Last week, the United States House of Representatives passed legislation that will prohibit the federal Bureau of Land Management from claiming Texas land along the Red River as public domain. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), said, The fundamental right to own property must be protected. This bill takes another crucial step in giving…
Once again, Texas legislators have filed bills aimed specifically at a single company–Texas Central–in an effort to stop the proposed high-speed railroad between Dallas and Houston. As an example, State Rep. Ben Leman has filed a bill that would require the line to be “compatible with more than one type of train technology.” These bills…
Civil asset forfeiture allows law enforcement agencies to seize property with little or no judicial oversight. “Policing for profits,” as the practice has been called, allows law enforcement agencies to use strong-arm tactics to obtain property, often when criminal charges aren’t filed. The Supreme Court recently ruled on a case in which an individual plead…
To build his beloved wall, President Trump has declared a national emergency, thereby allowing him to bypass Congress to fund construction of a barrier on the southern border of the country. But construction of the wall is bypassing more than Congressional approval. It is kicking property rights into the gutter. The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant…
While eminent domain reform is a priority for many legislators and interest groups, meaningful reform is not likely to occur in this session. The reason isn’t a lack of political support; the reason is a moral premise held by those legislators and interest groups. As an example, Gordon Sauer, director, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers…