Monthly Archives: May 2016

INTERIM. Sharing Economy. From the Right. 3 Reasons Cities Should NOT Block Short Term Rentals.

Cities should not block short term rentals because:

  • Its an economic boon that levels peak pricing by hotels
  • It frees “trapped capital” like the unused spare bedroom
  • It is not shown to make housing less affordable

The solution to neighborhood concerns:

  • Amend existing noise or traffic ordinances

Trib Talk | Josiah Neeley | R Street Institute | Texas cities shouldn’t block short-term rentals

TRENDING. INTERIM. SHARING ECONOMY. Private property rights. Short Term Rentals.

Which city is moving forward to regulate short term rentals after “animal house” complaints? Chicago

What regulations are being considered?

  • Commerical regulation for any property rented out for more than 90 days within 1 year
  • 4% surcharge to online rentals with revenue dedicated to homeless services

Chicago may regulate Airbnb home sharing amid ‘Animal House’-style complaints | Chicago Tribune 

TRENDING: Eminent Domain for Drug Prices. 3 Key Pieces of Intel.

A group of physicians writing in the Washington Post argue the federal government should be able to use eminent domain for drug prices. 

The intel:

  • The federal government has the power to use patents
  • The federal government has used this “eminent domain” power of drugs in 2001
    • It was used as leverage during the 2001 anthrax attacks when the federal government suggested it would import the drugs rather than buy the drugs through Bayer. Bayer lowered its price and reached an argeement with…

INTERIM. Kelo Film at Cannes. Eminent Domain Movie in France. US Theaters Later this Year.

Little Pink House, a film starring an Oscar nominee, tells the story of Suzette Kelo and her eminent domain fight against the City of New London, CT.

 “This film tells the real-life story of Susette Kelo, a blue-collar woman who dared to stand up against white-collar powerbrokers, and Susette’s inspirational story is conveyed with power and grace by the wonderfully talented Catherine Keener.”

Theatrical release will be late 2016. 

Northernstars | News from Cannes 

7 Texas Counties. For Private Property Rights. Against Eminent Domain.

Which County Commissioners voted to oppose Texas Central Rail high speed rail plan? Navarro County Commissioners 

The number of counties staking claim to official opposition: 7

The basis for the opposition in Navarro County? Oppose the granting of eminent domain authority to the private high speed rail

County Judge names legislators who support the County Commissioner opposition resulation: Representative Byron Cook and Senator Brian Birdwell

Corsicana Daily Sun | County…

State Lege Kills Transmission Line Eminent Domain. Congress Acts to Remove Funding. 3 Key arguments. Know the other side like you know yourself.

What transmission line is this state & federal legislative re-write concerning? The  Plains and Eastern Clean Line high-voltage transmission, a clean energy line traversing Arkansas, Missouri & other central states 

What caused the hoopla? Missouri & Arkansas chimed in when the transmission line sought eminent domain but wasn’t providing power within each state.

What are the arguments bandied about?

  • Tangible public use. Congressman Cotton is ok with eminent domain, if the…

Feds to Answer whether High Speed Rail must follow Texas Eminent Domain Laws?

The Ellis County Press published an Op-Ed from Texans Against High Speed Rail.

What points does Texans Against High Speed Rail make in its Op-Ed?

  • Texas Central Rail doesn’t have its funding in place
  • Texas Central Rail has no problems using eminent domain to take land it doesn’t need
  • Texas Central Rail is asking the federal government whether it has to comply with Texas eminent domain laws

Ellis County Press | TCR proposes to acquire land it ultimately won’t use to satisfy investors

Lege TREND. Eminent Domain Expansion. Special Districts.

Which state is considering expanding the use of eminent domain? California

Why the push to expand eminetn domain use? To clean up blighted buildings through special districts called Enhanced Infrastructure Financing Districts

What do these Enhanced Infrastructure Financing Districts​ do with eminent domain? Combat urban blight with urban renewal projects

What does California Assembly Bill 2492 do? Expands the number of local governments that can access Enhanced infrastructure…

3 Property Owner Points. Waller County. High Speed Rail. Pre condemnation Access.

Will eminent domain be used by Texas Centeral Rail to build its Dallas-Houston high speed rail?  Only if deals cannot be reached

How did property owners in Waller County react?

  • Waller County Judge Trey Duhon: “This is a huge eminent domain issue. Texas is a huge private property right state.” 
  • A property owner turned away a precondemnation surveyor on his property & mentions their have target practice on their property
  • Reports are that deals will never come.

High Speed Rail is…

Eminent Domain for Drug Prices. 3 Key Points to the Argument.

  • Federal Law Says So. The because I said so reason from the government for siezing drug companies patents is rooted in 28 U.S.C. section 1498. 
  • Reasonable Compensation to Pharmaceuticals. Drug companies would get “reasonable and entire compensation”
  • The government doesn’t have to get consent. The government can use any patent without consent so long as the compensation is ” “reasonable and entire.”

The question: does the fear of eminent domain to take drug patents bring about…