Monthly Archives: August 2016

Campaign to Fight City Blight Designations. New Private Property Rights Model.

Where is this happening: Ogden, UT

What is the new private property rights group:  Ogden Alliance Against Eminent Domain Abuse working with the Institute of Justice

The city action that sparked the group’s formation: The city seeks to declare a 9 block residential area as blighted

Institute for Justice | Ogden Residents Unite to Fight City’s Bogus Blight Designation

Eminent Domain Delays Cost Time and Money. Case Study Rail.

California is building a state funded high speed rail system.

Is the project behind schedule? Yes. The 1st segment moved its completion date from March 31, 2018, to August 2019. 

What is causing the delay? Acquiring land which means Eminent Domain Delays.

How many land parcels are required for the Valley portion of the high speed rail first leg?1,590 parcels of property. 841 parcels were secured as of last week.

For 1 segment, the Fresno-Madera segment, what are the current cost…

3 Points from Eminent Domain Activists vs. High Speed Rail

Activists opposed to Texas Central Rail proposed high speed rail between Dallas and Houston make the following points:

  • Obsolete technology in high speed rail
  • No public benefit from high speed rail
  • Private Property rights are held in high regard in Texas

Houston Chronicle | Protester of proposed Houston-Dallas high-speed rail line shouts “remember Pearl Harbor”

3 Reasons County Commissioner Is Displeased with High Speed Rail.

  • Folks representing high speed rail are entering land without permission
  • Strong arm tactics by folks representing high speed rail
  • The use of eminent domain by private companies like Texas Central Rail

KTRH | Is Eminent Domain Becoming the Norm in Texas?

Your Tomball News | Grimes County Commissioners vote to require high-speed rail officials to provide proof of eminent domain authority

TREND. New Tool for Local Governments? County Building Permits to Stop Eminent Domain.

Which County wants to require county permits before construction on high speed rail may begin? Grimes County, Texas

Is the proposal supported by state lawmakers? Yes. Support has been indicated by Sen. Schwertner, Rep. Schubert, Sen. Birdwell, Rep. Ashby & Sen. Kolkhorst

What would trigger a permit? Any construction crossing a county right of way

What would the application include? A requirement that the entity has state or federal authority to use eminent domain

Are other counties…

Civil Asset Forfeiture. Law Enforcement Impacted by Property Rights.

How civil asset forfeiture can impact law enforcement:

  • Patrols may be altered to focus on routes that move cash, and not on routes that move illegal goods.
  • Citizens won’t challenge the seizure of small amounts of cash or old cars creating a revenue source of $4.5 billion in 2014, nationwide

Governing | Civil Forfeiture Laws Pit Police Versus Everybody Else

Property Rights. August 15th Deer Breeder Rules Effective. 9 Points Informed Intel.

The new regulatory framework for deer breeders includes:

  • Newly created Interim Breeder Rules
  • Clarifies that Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) management zones function “on their own terms”
  • Moving deer requires a designation for a facility as Movement Qualified (MQ)
  • Only vets can collect samples for ante-mortem testing
  • Provides for ante-mortem testing of all deer, eliminating the 16 month residency rule
  • Provides for year-round submission of ante-mortem test results
  • Post mortem testing…

Property Rights. Case Study Denton.

Let’s look at how NBC News portrayed the local fracking ban in Denton:

Words used to describe those opposed to fracking: 

  • NBC’s words: 
    • not a lot of experience
    • committed
    • driven
    • “inspiring victory for grassroots organizing and local democracy”
  • The supporters description of the opposition:
    • “were in Vladimir Putin’s pocket and were trying to protect Russia’s share of the global natural gas market”
    • People in Denton ” lacked the sophistication to address technical matters like…