UPDATE: Panhandle Landowners Sue State Over Putting Them in a Water District (The System Works)

A group of landowners, who filed suit against the State of Texas (TCEQ) for forcing them into a ground water district, were vindicated when the Groundwater district voted 5-0 to allow the landowners to live freely outside their groundwater district.

The landowners alleged in their law suit that they purchased land because it was not in a groundwater district and that private property rights should prevail. adminPosted inland use, legal trend, private property rights, water

Private Property Rights in License Plates?

On Monday the US Supreme Court heard a Texas case about confederate flag license plates, because fans of the Dukes of Hazards are moving to Texas in droves.

I haven’t seen any Klingon license plates in Austin- yet, but the Trekkie community is deeply divided and have retained counsel.

Seems weird to argue about license plates at the US Supreme Court, but in 1977 the US Supreme Court set forth the idea that a license plate is free speech on private property. The case was Woo…

Common Carrier Battle. Round 2000. Danbury Seeks Rehearing Over Court Loss. Countdown to Amendment Flurry.

This week Denbury filed to seek a rehearing over the appellate ruling that it is not a common carrier. It’s going to pop up via amendment between now and June 1st. 

Why will this head to the Legislature? Because Denbury alleges that the current legal precendent, the appellate ruling, will have wide spread ramifications. 

This common carrier fight has spanned 7 years. This complex legal tale includes:

  • More than 7 years ago Jefferson County landowners James …

Local Governmental Entity To Take Private Property. Golf Course Irrigation System.

Falconhead golf course, located in suburban sprawl outside of Austin, allegedly owes its water district $778,000. Naturally, legal action has ensued. The clincher is the Travis County Utility District is also considering siezure of the golf course’s property- in the form of its irrigation system.

 Here’s what happened:

  • The golf course and the Travis County Public Utility Agency (TCPUA) disagree as to how the golf course should use its irrigation system.
  • TCPUA…

The No Eminent Domain for Economic Gain Bill

No Eminent Domain for Economic Gain is a very popular refrain for property rights supporters. It’s as popular as A/C is in August in Austin. 

In Nebraska it is a tag line for  LB473, which prevents the use of eminent domain by foreign owned pipelines.  Foreign owned pipelines would be permitted to negotiate for purchasing easements.  Many states are cracking down on the use of eminent domain by private entities. 

adminPosted inlegal trend, legislation trend, pipelines/common carriers, private company, private property rights

Property Rights Puts High Speed Rail 18 Months Behind onConstruction

California has been building the infrastrcture for a high speed railway. Property aquisition has caused the following issues:

  • 18 months behind on construction
  • contractor is already reportedly seeking compensation for the delays
  • The high speed rail needs to acquire 525 parcels, but they’ve only successfully acquired 123 parcels

adminPosted incompensation, legislation trend, private property rights, railways

Impact of Pipelines & Power Lines to Ranch Lands

Texans love their private property rights. It’s a toss up who loves Texas private property rights more: Libertarians? Republicans? Ranchers? Cattlemen?Farmers ?Wild Life enthusiasts?

This month’s issue of The Cattleman looks at easements for pipelines and power lines. They run through pros and cons, and here they are:

Pros of Pipelines and Power Lines Running Through Pastures:

  • “don’…