- The Cattle Raisers take note of the RRC’s proposed rules. Cattle is big business on big swaths of land. Naturally, anything that affects their land draws attention. Beef and property rights remain sacred in Texas. [The Cattleman]
- East Texas media darling, Juila Trigg Crawford, having returned from speaking to an eminent domain protest in North Dakota, gets more media attention than any other land owner impacted by eminent domain. Odds that private property rights groups will file bills for 2015: 100%. Odds of Republicans voting against private property rights: 0%. [Longview News-Journal]
How to increase property value by a factor of 10? Untapped mineral interests.
An Appeals Court in San Diego valued a property at $8,000,000, up from $700,000. For the math wizards, that’s more than a ten fold increase in value plus excellent lawyering. The source of the increased value? Open pit mining was found to be the highest and best use of the property. [San Diego Gas & Electric v. Schmidt]
Clash of the Titans: Private Property Rights v. Pipelines
Texas Tribune reports on this renewed legislative MMA fight. In one corner we have lovers of the Constitution along with their legions of attorneys. In the other corner, we have economic powerhouses along with their legal battalions. [Texas Tribune] [NY Times] [TX Agri Law]
Religion 1, Eminent Domain 0.
A Kentucky court held that 1st amendment freedom of religion trumps eminent domain authority preventing church lands from being condemned. A similar fight is brewing in Orlando, FL. The City wants to build a MLS stadium, but it needs church lands. The church has refused offers for purchase from the City. Soon enough we’ll be in Court to find out if freedom of religion wins again. How many acres of church owned property are there in Texas? Would religion trump eminent domain in Texas Courts too? [Orlando WFTV]
Tuesday a TX Appeals Court Revived a City of Dallas Eminent Domain Case for Want of Jurisdiction
In 2011 Dallas began eminent domain proceedings. By 2013 a special commissioners hearing had not been scheduled & land owners grew weary. So, the landowners asked a court to dismiss. 18 months is a long time to wait. The trial court agreed. On Tuesday an appeals court reinstated the eminent domain case for jurisdictional reasons. Looks like fodder to forthcoming legislation. [Justia]
$235,000 in Campaign Contributions Rooted in Eminent Domain Fight
A landowner seeking to route a pipeline around his property has contributed more than $235,000 to certain water board members. A handful of related lawsuits ensued. [Ft. Worth Star Telegram]
Dallas Morning News: Proposed RRC Changes Revive Eminent Domain Debat
Have the requirements set by the Texas Supreme Court in Denbury been met by the RRC rules? We’ll have to let the Courts tell us. The final word will be handed down by the Legislature which will determine how Texas Grows & respects private property rights. [DMN]
A Protest March Against Eminent Domain, Belle of this Ball is a Texan
Julia Trigg Crawford, a Texas landowner heralded for fighting eminent domain, will rally protestors this weekend in Nebraska. The protest is part of a national protest walk from Los Angeles to Washington. Eminent Domain is a populist movement. [Gillette News Record]
Libertarian Kathy Glass Will End Eminent Domain- Forever
There are two blonde women running for governor this fall. Libertarian Kathy Glass is also on the ballot. She wants to permanently snuff out eminent domain, instituting an eminent domain apocalypse. [Victoria Advocate]
Aljazeera: Texas Supreme Court Rolling Back Eminent Domain Authority
Naturally, everyone should look to Texas when trying to solve problems. Aljazeera did while forecasting how Pennsylvania will handle pipeline common carrier use of eminent domain. In the last few years, the Texas Supreme Court has been rolling back the power of eminent domain in favor of stronger private property rights. The effects of the Tea Party are pervasive, and private property rights are de rigueur. [Aljazeera America]