Author Archives: Tessa Zavala

What’s happening? Tesla, Brookfield Assett Management and real estate developer Dacra are creating the first in the nation neighborhood powered by Tesla solar. Why is this important? Real estate development and sustainability are finding new partners. How will this be important? “Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the Austin project will help shape the future of […]

What’s happening? Maine’s November ballot will include the right to “growing, raising, harvesting, and producing food, as well as saving and exchanging seeds.” Why is this important? This is phase 2.0 after the right to have edible gardens free from local or state laws against it, or HOA rules prohibiting it. How will this be […]

What’s happening? Florida passed legislation that creates an 800 mile corridor that connects state parks to open spaces from the Keys to the Alabama border to allow wildlife to move freely. Why is this important? This is a nuanced approach to environmental and conservation issues by Republicans that passed with broad bipartisan support. How will […]

What’s happening? The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a case concerning a City of Austin ordinance that limits digital billboards to existing businesses on their property. Why is this important? Impacts the playing field for billboards in Austin, TX and hundreds of cities. How will this be important? Ordinances will change when this opinion […]

What’s happening? In an abandoned steel community outside Pittsburgh, Fifth Season is using robotic, vertical farming of greens, and repurposing an abandoned manufacturing facility. Why is this important? Innovation and Revitalization of Shrinking Communities. How will this be important? Fifth Season hired only locals,  uses 95 % less water and 98%t less land than conventional […]

What’s happening? The Goldwater Institute and Reason say Texas SB 968 (2021 | TX) is unconstitutional violation of property rights.  The constitution has long standing standards for businesses to protect their customers as they choose. The bill seeks to prevent businesses from requiring proofs of vaccination. Why is this important?“”The longstanding legal tradition has always […]

What’s happening? The legal analysts are on DefCon 2 reading tea leaves of Chief Justice Robert opinion siding for a nursery fighting a California law that required businesses to permit unions on their property for 120 hours to scout new members. Why is this important? This analysts points to Roberts trying to keep the Court […]

What’s happening? Colorado has dreams of the Front Range rail line. To further it, the Legislature is working to pass SB21-238 (2021 | CO) that would fund and support a passenger rail line. Why is this important? Supporters say the district does’ t make rail happen but is a step toward a rail line. How will […]

What’s happening? This week the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that business could not be forced to allow unions onto their private property for hours at a time. Why is this important? The agriculture businesses that sued over a California state law argued that allowing a third party onto someone else’s private property without compensating the […]

What’s happening? Residents of a small desert town are displeased by the town’s use of eminent domain to build an industrial water facility. They responded with an initiative and referendum, The Desert And Open Space Protection Act, to prevent the town from using eminent domain in the future on open spaces and private property. Why […]