Category Archives: activism

Lege TREND. Watchdog brings Ethics Complaint Against Lawmaker who Backed Utility Eminent Domain Use

Where: North Carolina

What: A long time lawmaker, whose lawfirm represents a utility, also pushed legislstion to help the utility, allegedly according to an ethics complaint

Why the beef? Because the utility is taking people’s land 

 

Tacoma News Tribune | AP | Group files ethics complaint against N Carolina legislator

Lege TREN. 2 Reasons Texas Eminent Domain will Increase Energy Costs

The Consumer Energy Alliance says SB 421 (2019 | TX) could increase energy costs by:

  • Pipelines will cost more to build
  • The increased cost of pipelines, and delays in building pipelines, will raise feul costs

San Antonio Express News | SB 421 may cause spike in energy costs

 

Lege TREND. Oil & Gas Underground Storage. No Land Owner Compensation.

North Dakota’s SB2344 (2019 | ND) would not permit compensation to landowners for salt water, natural gas,  or CO2 recovery storage for the land owner.

KXNET | Landowners Group: Bill would take land rights away

 

3 Reason Eminent Domain Works for the Takers of Texas Land.

The Texas Farm Bureau President states his case by riasing these 3 points:

  • Private Entities. 1271 non-governmental entities have eminent domain authority
  • Transparency. those 1271 do not have the same transparency rules of local governments
  • Unfairness. No fairness when landowners are forced to sell. More good faith. More just compensation.

Houston Chronicle | Opinion | Eminent domain works in Texas — for the takers [Opinion]

Lege TREND. Property Rights to Edible Front Gardens.

Florida’s SB 82 (2019 | FL) would prohibit local governments from banning front yard edible gardens. 

“Freedom is at stake,” Bradley, the Senate budget chair said.

Why does this matter? Miami Shores that banned vegtable gardens. Its now in the courts.

Tampa Bay Times | Right to grow front-yard veggies gets green light for Senate floor

Lege TREND. Property Rights in small electronics. Mr. Fix It Bills Around the Country.

Add Georgia to the 12 states seeking to allow property rights in small electrical devices. HB 286 (GA | 2019) The Right to Repair.

Provides that once a perons owns something they have the right to have it services, maintained as they see fit, including private mr. fix it shops.

Why does this matter? some electronic items disable third party fixing capabilities.

Valdosta Daily Times | Product disclosure bill falters 

3 Points Supporting Private Entities with Eminent Domain

Where: Texas

Who:  Institute for Policy Innovation, 32 year old conservative, free-market policy think tank in Dallas

Why: Testimony concerning SB 421 (TX | 2019) .

What are their 3 reasons to support eminent domain by private entities?

  • Constitution doesn’t limit eminent domain to the government
  • Limiting eminent domain to the government leads to bigger government
  • The private sector has market incentives to treat its customer base better than government

IPI | Testimony Before Texas Senate…

Texas Polling. Eminent Domain Reform. What do I need to Know?

The Texas Farm Bureau poll on eminent domain reform support found:

  • 89% support financial penalties for low offers
  • 80% favor ” bad faith” penalties when offers are less than 1/2 of a property’s value
  • Party identity produced similar results
  •  ” broad consensus” that the process is often unfair

CenTexProud |  Survey: support for eminent domain reform

 

Lege TREND. Statewide Short Term Rental Bill.

The Bill: Maine’s LD 209 (ME | 2019) will:

  • prohibit cities from banning short term rentals
  • allow for local regulations related to health and safety

Supporters say:

  • This is about property rights
  • IN 2018, Maine AirbnB hosts earned  $66 million

Opponents say:

  • Cities should have control
  • Removes local governments to seek remedies from bad actors
  • Opponent sinclude: Maine’s Municipal Association, Hospitality Maine, Cottage Connection of Maine, Vacation Rental Professionals of Maine and Maine…