Author Archives: Tessa Zavala

What’s happening? Eminent Domain reform is a perennial issue in Iowa. This year is special there are ghost of new carbon capture pipelines being built which some say led to legislators hitting the pause button on eminent domain reform. Why is this important? Let’s look at how they are talking about it. Here we go: […]

What is happening? Santa Monica, California is trying to correct for policies in the 1950s and 1960s that led to “the destruction of black and Latino communities via eminent domain to build the 10 freeway, “ Why is this important? Local Governments are looking for ways to correct past acts that impacted the housing and communities. […]

What is happening? A debate in Iowa is revealing a call by some Republicans to establish different eminent domain standards for projects that move something through the state and for projects that directly impact the state. The goals seems to make projects like a pipeline or transmission line that moves on through would have a […]

What is happening? Corpus Christi Texas is following San Antonio and Galveston to regulate short term rentals. Why is this important? The policy makers say it will protect private property rights by establishing a regulatory framework, including a limited registration fee of $50. How will this be important? The Legislature in Texas has the reputation […]

What is happening? Property right advocates say that property owners should also be compensated for subjective value such as how long the property has been owned, ties to the community, emotional connections…the subjective value of the property. Why is this important? The subjective ties are the same for all owners whether the property is a […]

What is happening? A mechanic in Pasadena, TX wants to open his own shop. The City of Pasadena says that while another mechanic had a shop in the same space with only 5 parking spaces, the new mechanic will need 28 parking spaces. Why is this important? Welcome, private property advocates who are challenging the […]

What is happening? In the ongoing litigation for whether a high speed rail project in Texas has the power of eminent domain, the State Attorney General Office offered an argument to the Texas Supreme Court that sides with landowners and the rules of grammar. The AG office says ““The rules of grammar confirm that the […]

What’s happening? California and Vermont both require residences to compost food waste. Vermont was first to the composting game and California’s law went into effect at the beginning of 2022, based on a 2016 bill. Why is this important? To California, the concern was emissions (methane) from food waste. The State can also fine cities […]

What’s happening? Gentrification is happening or Redevelopment is happening. However you phrase it long time, legacy homeowners, can find their property taxes a burden as their property values soar. Why is this important? Atlanta’s Mayor issued an Administrative Order for the Anti-Displacement Program  that creates a $10M grant program to keep legacy home owners in […]

What’s happening? Recipes are generally not copyright-able. Then food industry starlet comes up with a recipe that gets duplicated and put on magazines, and the questions about copyrights re-emerges or parts of a cookbook, including personal stories, get copied and added to a new cookbook by another author. Why is this important? As a cook […]