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Anatomy of a new Short Term Rental Tax.

Massachusetts Governor Baker signed a 1st in the nation, short term rental regulation & tax, that will:

  • create & fund a regional wastewater program for the Cape and Islands
  • estimed to generate $34.5 million annually in state revenue and $25.5 million in local funding through taxes
  • Policy goals:
    • levels the playing field with hotel/motels
    • preserves local control
    • protects consumers
    • offers a source of revenue from our visitors to finance a very pressing wastewater needs

Inquirer &…

Private Property Rights. Coastal Barrier Protection, Rep. Elect Mayes Middleton.

The private property rights issues related to the Coastal Barrier System:

  • Mayes Middleton opposes the displacement of any homes or businesses on Galveston and Bolivar Peninsula
  • the original intent of the project should be respected (which does not involve displacing businesses or homes) by returnign to the dune-line protection plan

Houston Chronicle | State Rep.-elect Mayes Middleton eager to prove his conservative bona fides

Eminent Domain. Church Land. Texas Court Case. Pre-condemnation Access.

The land at issue: On the border with Mexico is owned by the Catholic Church

Where are we in the process? The Bishop denied access to the land for surveying.

The court case: federal district court in McAllen. The church is currently receiving legal assistance from Georgetown University Law School.

The issue: Does the church’s religious convictions trump any taking for a public purpose.

KVEO | Major Law School Helps Church Caufht in Border Wall’s Path

Legal TREND. Short Term Rental Lawsuit over number of Occupants as Anti-Christmas.

Where: South Lake Tahoe, CA

The lawsuit basis: ” infringes on the constitutional rights of property owners by arbitrarily restricting the number of individuals who can occupy a vacation unit”

The kicker: intereferes with people’s holiday plans

The local rules on short term rentals in South Lake Tahoe? 2 persons per bedroom & bans short term rental sin residential neighborhoods

AP | Legal fight arises over South Lake Tahoe rental home rules

 

Lege TREND. Anatomy of A short term rental deal in a State Legislature.

Massachusetts legislators have reached a deal on statewide short term rental bill that will:

  • exempt proprietors who file an affidavidt that they will not rent the short term rental for more than 14 days in a calendar year
  • does not apply the  5.7% hotel and motel room tax to these 14 day or less per year  rentals

AP | Massachusetts lawmakers reach deal on short-term rental bill

Commonwealth | Lawmakers reach short-term rental agreement 

Eminent Case Du Jour for Private Property Rights Think Tanks

The eminent domain case that will be repeated in legislative sessions:

  • GM shuts down factor built on land taken by eminent domain in 1981
  • 4000 people were displaced during the process

Reason | GM Will Shut Down Factory Built on Land Seized in Controversial 1981 Poletown Taking 

+1 Local Government. No Eminent Domain for Private Gain. From the North.

Columbia County, Wisconsin Baord of Supervisors voted to support he following statewide eminent domain reform:

  • prohibit private companies from using eminent domain to take property
  • public good should not include economic growth
  • ensure that landowners can negotiate for a fair price.

Are other Wisconsin counties doing the same thing? Yes, at least 6

Portage Daily Register | Columbia County Board favors eminent domain reform

Sawyer County Record | Rusk County passes resolution calling for…

Update of Final Version. Anatomy of a Bill that Sped up a Pipeline & Transmission Line Tunnel

As signed by Michigan’s Governor, SB 1197 (2018 | MI) will:

  • Include a plan for recruiting, training, and using Michigan workers for the tunnel project;
  • Allow for multiple utilities to use the tunnel;
  • Provide that the tunnel is built to last and will contain potential oil spills in the Straits of Mackinac;
  • Limit liability for the state, the authority, and members of the authority;
  • Require that all necessary government approvals be obtained for the tunnel;
  • Prohibit the use of eminent domain…