Category Archives: fairness

Texas State Rep. 3 Points on Eminent Domain Review and Reform.

Texas State Representative Ernest Bailes op-ed in the Houston Chronicle makes these points about a need to review eminent domain laws:

  • Growth and development lead to eminnt domain challenges for land owners
  • Need to ensure fairness in eminent domain statutes
  • Fair compensation for land owners is very improtant to his district

Houston Chronicle Op-Ed | Bailes: Eminent domain statutes need review to ensure fairness

Editorial. 3 Reasons Eminent Domain for Pipelines is Unfair & UnAmerican

Lancaster County Pennsylvania is experiencing an uptick in eminent domain actions due to the Atlantic Sunrise gas pipeline. 

The Lancaster News Press Editorial board editorial opposed to eminent domain for pipelines makes 3 points:

  • The legal taking for corporate benefit is deeply unfair
  • The eminent domain process is stacked against landowners
  • Better yet, private companies using eminent domain isn’t only deeply unfair, it is UnAmerican.

Lancaster News Press | The use of eminent domain, while…

Property Rights Group Applauds SB 740 SB 741 and SB 742. Just the Facts.

3 Reasons why Texans for Property Rights support Senator Kolkhorst’s eminent domain bills:

  • Expand upon progress made in landmark 2011 eminent domain legislation
  • Senator Kokhorst worked with the group and says the bills “…give[s] all landowners the new tools and safeguards they need to protect their land from eminent domain abuse”
  • The Cattle Raisers say “Property owners continue to be at a huge disadvantage when navigating the condemnation process and these proposed reforms are a great step…

Eminent Domain for Reservoir. How a Legislature Bypassed Normal Eminent Domain to Save Funds.

Why are normal eminent domain laws being bypassed? Because eminent domain will be too costly and will take too long

What is the eminent domain project? A dam

Which legislature created this eminent domain loophole? North Carolina

What 5 things do we need to know about this work around to normal North Carolina eminent domain laws?

  • Quick take eminent domain was passed for this project
  • Quick take eminent domain allows the dam builder to take possesion of the land immediately
  • Quick…

Pop the Popcorn Kelo, The MOVIE! is Coming Soon.

This fall filming will being for Little Pink House, the film devoted to telling the story of Susette Kelo.   

“[The producer] describes it as a classic David and Goliath story that focuses on Kelo, a single mother who had her Connecticut house seized by the city of New London and turned over to private developers. “

Reason    Little Pink House Film

Most Popular Texas Eminent Domain Bill

One eminent domain bill is becoming a media darling: HB 565 by Burkett. The bill revokes eminent domain authority from a private toll company.

Here’s why Burkett says it is important: 

  • The problem is a private company overseeing a project with eminent domain authority (hello, pipelines, are you listening?)
  • If property is taken for public needs, it should be “fair and transparent”
  • Toll roads are wearing out their welcome

Posted byadminPosted in2015 legislation, activism, fairness, infrastructure building, pipelines/common carriers, private company, private property rights

Cattleraisers Support Fairness for Landowners

“We will do whatever it takes to make sure landowners are treated fairly when an entity uses the power of eminent domain to claim land for public use.” – Robert McKnight, Second Vice President, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Cattleraisers made hundreds of calls last session opposing Tryon Lewis’ common carrier bill, HB 2748. [ Posted byadminPosted in2013 legislation, 2015 legislation, activism, fairness, private property rights

Texas Monthly Gets in on the Eminent Domain Action. “This Land is Your Land; Until Dallas Needs It”

Allusions of armed governments seizing land dance in your head when you read this article. Is this the Ukraine being invaded by Russian troops? Or, is this Texas? 
 
A taste of the negative depiction of eminent domain:
  • “…use eminent domain to force [land owners]…”
  • “…property that’s taken by force using eminent domain.” 
Private property rights advocates are rejoicing; eminent domain remains the big, bad commandeering…