Author Archives: Tessa Zavala

What’s happening? Florida is considering SB 224 (2022 | FL) and HB105 (2022 | FL) would allow counties and municipalities to restrict smoking within the boundaries of public beaches and parks.  Why is this important? Florida Republican wants to loosen state control over smoking bans. How will this be important? Whether this is a bell […]

What’s happening? The District Attorney in Williamson, County, TX, North of Austin, has asked the state Attorney General for an opinion on the Governor’s Executive Order concerning mask mandates. Why is this important? Texas Attorney General will answer this question: Does an executive order which recognizes the ability of Texans to preserve their livelihoods and […]

What’s happening? California is considering AB 701 (2021 | CA) that would require companies that operate warehouses with large number of employees to disclose the employee productivity requirements. Employees would be able to challenge quotas that allegedly prevent bathroom breaks or other time to rest during the workday. Why is this important? California Chamber of […]

What’s happening? Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association says that  harassment of umpires and referees was so rampant it had become impossible to attract enough of them to support their games. Why is this important? Wisconsin is considering legislation to make harassing an umpire or referee a misdemeanor. How will this be important? MI, NY and OH are […]

What’s happening? The average number of housing units created by Inclusionary Zoning policies per year is only 27 & can produce broader distortions in the housing market Why is this important? Studies point to New York’s IZ policy essentially froze housing redevelopment in lower-income areas. Portland saw an increase in projects below the threshold for […]

What’s happening? As eminent domain percolates in Kentucky, its media is picking up on what states do or do not do to compensate their landowners. Here’s what they say: Florida is best- attorney fees can be awarded and allows people to hire lawyers before the state appraises the property it plans to take and offers […]

What’s happening? The History Channel has a run down of the NFL’s Top 8 scandals. Coming in at #4 is when Baltimore used eminent domain as a means to keep the Colts in Baltimore. Why is this important? In the middle of the night, the Indianapolis mayor’s friend who owned a moving company, moved the […]

What’s happening? In 1905 the US Supreme Court upheld a vaccine mandates in Jacobson v. Massachusetts. Why is this important? The country was grappling with small pox and adoption of the small pox vaccine. How will this be important? Court watchers will assuredly wonder if Jackson remains precedent. Most telling is this: “The liberty secured […]

What’s happening? The way Panama City Florida handles nuisance properties is that if an owner fails to clean up a nuisance, the city cleans up property and then tacks on a nuisance abatement fee on the property tax notice. Why is this important? Most property owners know the properties in their neighborhoods that they believe […]

What’s happening? AirBnB is cracking down on parties. In California it is suing a party host that resulted in gun fire. In Houston, AirBnB is cracking down on Halloween parties. Why is this important? Party hosting, nuisance complaints and noise complaints are a vocal in crafting regulations for shirt term rentals. How will this be […]