When eminent domain gets called out by Billboard Artists

What happened? At a concert in New York for Global Citizen Live, Lizzo and educated the audience about Central Park’s history. Why is this important? Central Park was once Seneca Village, home to Black and white communities coexisting until New York City took over the area via eminent domain How will this be important? Lizzo, […]

Property Ownership Changes. Suburbs are for Renters.

What’s happening? 21 million people rent in the nations 50 largest suburbs. Renters are the majority in 103 suburbs. In the next 5 years, add 60 more suburbs. Why is this important? It is happening in a broad type of areas from the DC suburbs to California, Florida, Michigan and Missouri. How will this be […]

US Supreme Court Watch: COVID restrictions prohibit right to assemble in homes?

What is happening? The Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled that COVID restrictions did not infringe on the right to assemble in private homes in violation of the 1st amendment. This case is now waiting to hear if the US Supreme Court will take it up. Why is this important? Could impact the gubernatorial powers in each […]

Removing Eminent Domain Provisions from City Contracts

What is happening? The City of Tweed is renegotiating its agreement with its local airport. That negotiation includes a removal of a provision that would have the city use eminent domain to obtain land to transfer to the airport. Why is this important? More cities are examining their uses of eminent domain, whether those uses […]

Politician Homes & Protestors. New Laws.

What’s happening? To limit protestors abilities to protest in front of the houses of politicians, Los Angeles City Council adopted a 300 foot buffer from private residences for protestors. Why is this important? First amendment attorney expect the ordinance to be struck down in the courts as cities can use trespassing or targeted threats laws. […]

Is this the new, post-COVID, property rights frontier?

What’s happening? Oklahoma legislators are looking to protect rental property owners in a world with the CDC eviction moratorium. Why is this important? Look to reforms to Landlord Tenant laws as the eviction moratoriums roll back. How will this be important? The Oklahoma legislators say that small property owners who invested in the real estate […]

Controlling Wildfires Legislatively

What’s happening? California legislature passed SB109 (2021 | CA) that creates the  the Office of Wildfire Technology Research and Development within the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection  Why is this important? The goal is to use technology to conduct research and test emergency technologies to improve the detection of and response to wildfires. How […]