Welcome to the Future!
Cities are turning to Vacancy Taxes to:
Which 5 cities have implemented or are implementing vacancy taxes?
Governing | Cities Now Use Taxes to Fight Blight. Is It Working?
In KP-0200 (2018 | TX) the Texas Attorney General answered this question:
whether an attorney representing the State may use civil asset forfeiture funds accrued under article 59.06(c)(l) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure to insure real property forfeited to the State
Can civil asset forfeiture funds be used for insurance for the forfeited property? Probably yes
Why is this use of forfeiture funds permitted when it isn’t on the statutory list of uses?
Where is this happening? Wichita Falls, Texas
What bond measure failed with 75% voting against it? A proposed municipal center
What happened as a result of the failed bond measure?
News Channel 6 Now | Bond-election reawakens interest in downtown…
5 Cities where the Institute for Justice is/has been legally fighting food truck ordinances in:
The argument supporters of food truck rights are using: fighting economic protectionism
IJ.com | Fish Creek Food Truck owners Threatened with Fines Fight Back
Sevier County, Tennessee, is considering eminent domain to take possession of a county animal shelter that is without an operating contractor.
Where did the idea of eminent domain for an animal shelter come from? the Sevier County Budget Committee
How was eminent domain received by the commissioners? “I am always very reluctant to use the power of condemnation unless absolutely necessary. Therefore, I continue to believe the best solution for our citizens and the animal welfare is for the…
An editorial in DeKalb County Illinois is calling for local restrictions on a new wind farm that would address:
What should be required of the wind energy companies:
Who should be protected by the ordinance(s) according to the DeKalb editorial:
Background:
Campaign TREND.
City: Spokane Washington
Spokane’s drone restrictions in public parks: drones cannot be operated ““in a manner that is dangerous to persons or property.”
The enforcement mechanism: $261 fine
Where: Muskogee Oklahoma
What propety was taken for what type of project? To expand the parking lot of a VA Call Center, the City took a residential property
What did the residential landowners tell the court? that the taking was to “serve a private purpose deprived them of a property interest without due process in violation of state and federal constitutions”
What did the city say was the reason for the parking lot? Safety and transportation
The appellate court: An agreement between the…
Where: Farmington, Utah
How did the city council in Farmington Utah protect a 6th generation farm? By designating the farm an Agricultural Protection Area
What protections does an Agricultural Protection Area offer?
can the designation be renewed? Yes.
Why is…