- Online eminent domain database was created by SB 1812 (Kolkhorst & Geren)
- All entities with eminent domain authority, public & private, can begin reporting on December 7th. The Form will be here.
- Deadline for reporting is February 1, 2016.
- Comptroller recommends that entities with eminent domain authority designate one officer or employee as point of contact for current eminent domain information
- 10 Pieces of Information will be online:
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the entity’s full legal name;
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the…
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Category Archives: railways
307 Eminent Domain Actions. 1 Partial High Speed Rail in the Golden State
What project has triggered 307 eminent domain petitions? California’s first leg of the Los Angeles to San Francisco high speed rail.
How many acres does this represent being taken? Since December 2013, 307 eminent domain actions for high speed rail have accounted for 1,135 acres of land.
Which agencies approve the use of eminent domain for high speed rail in California? California’s General Services, Transportation and Finance departments
Texas Central Rail 3 Points on Eminent Domain
- “CEO Tim Keith said the company takes concerns about eminent domain seriously.”
- WIll be transparent, meet in person & make attractive offers.
- Texas Central Rail understands that a “person’s property is very personal.”
Texas Central Raill will host more public meetings will occur this fall & opposition remains commited.
KERA News: Opponents Call For More Transparency On The Dallas-To-Houston Bullet Train
Eminent Domain Propels Candidate to Enter Race
Mississippi State Senator Mike Seymour entered the race for his seat due to his opposition to eminent domain and China…. In his words:
“”The thing that separates us from Russia and China and all is our property rights. I understand eminent domain for transportation and stuff like that but when it comes to economic development, it shouldn’t be the government taking your property and selling it to another entity to generate more tax revenue. That’s not America. It’s something that…
Eminent Domain Use. Interview Question for New Texas City Manager.
During the vetting process, the new Ferris City Manager was asked about his stance on high speed rail, bouyed by allusions of the use of eminent domain.
Ellis County Commissioners Court opposes the high speed rail plan, in part because of the impact on farm land and the use of eminent domain.
Sherman, the new city manager, said he will be too busy running the city to get into politics like high speed rail.
TX High Speed Rail Gets Influx of Funding. Opposition Grows Stronger. 2 Opposition Goals.
Rural opposition to high speed rail in Texas has a champion in the organization, Texans Against High Speed Rail.
Opponents to High Speed Rail wants 2 wishes granted:
- Greater Transparency in the process
- No use of eminent domain, rural landwoners do not want to sell for “any price”
- In 2015 Senator Kolkhorst authored SB 1601 to prohibit eminent domain for high speed rail
How many condemnations does it take to build high speed rail?
California is actively building high speed rail. This week the State Public Works Board approved its 246th condemantion resolution since 2013. Fresno Bee
Not only is aquiring land time consuming, but California’s experience is also teaching us that high speed rail is a lengthy process. To move high speed rail along more quickly, the California legislature added a budget rider that will:
- …
5 Concerns about Texas Central Railway From the Cattle Raisers
The Texas Central Railway survived the – no eminent doamin for you- chopping block. An attempt had been made in House Bill 1 to remove the railway’s ability to qualify for eminent domain. Ft. Worth Star Telegram
The President of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association explains 5 reasons they oppose the Railway:
- Primarily funded by Japenese sources with uncertain long-term fi…
History of Eminent Domain from the US Department of Justice
As a reminder that it’s really just your bad local governments that use eminent domain, the Department of Justice has put up a series of delightful photos detailing the history of eminent domain use by the federal government.
The History lesson:
- “whenever the United States acquires a property through eminent domain, it has a constitutional responsibility to justly compensate the property owner for the fair market value of the property. See Bauman v. Ross, 167…
How are Interests in Other States Battling Private Property Rights Groups?
Its harder and harder to build insfrastructure in Texas. Tollroads, high speed rails, pipelines are greeted by protestors, private property rights activists, and lawsuits.
The Midwest has responded with the Midwest Alliance for Insfrstructure Now. It is a coalition of:
- “agriculture, business, and labor sectors aimed at supporting the economic development and energy security benefits associated with infrastructure projects…