This Week, Supreme Court Will Hear an Important Case that Could Help Curb Asset Forfeiture Abuse
The case both addresses important legal issues, and could have substantial practical implications.
Property Rights
On Thanksgiving, Be Grateful for Property Rights
There's no reason to celebrate collective ownership.
Will Supreme Court Reargument of the Knick Takings Case Come Down to the Federal Government's "Klingon Forehead" Argument?
The Supreme Court has ordered reargument in a crucial property rights case. The outcome could hinge on an extremely dubious theory put forward in an amicus brief by the federal government.
Georgetown 'Tree Killer' Fined $53,000 for 'Excessive Pruning' on His Own Property
The homeowner was working to preserve a historic building
My Review of "Property and Human Flourishing"
A link to my review of an important new book on property rights by Cornell law Professor Gregory Alexander.
Two Brothers Want to Start a Christmas Tree Farm on Their Own Land. The Township Might Fine Them $450,000.
Gary and Matt Percy had to clear their land before they started planting. They neglected to get the government's permission.
Publicly Traded Companies Are Still Private Property
No matter what California legislators or Elizabeth Warren think
Thoughts on Today's Supreme Court Oral Argument in Knick v. Township of Scott—A Crucial Property Rights Case
There is reason for cautious optimism that the Supreme Court will overrule or at least curtail a precedent that makes it difficult to bring many takings claims in federal court.
My Wall Street Journal Op Ed on Important Property Rights Case that Will be Argued before the Supreme Court Tomorrow
Knick v. Township of Scott addresses the issue of whether property owners with Takings Clause claims are entitled to access to federal court on the same terms as constitutional rights cases.
Supreme Court to Consider Tree Frogs, Liquor Licensing, Criminals With Dementia, and More This Fall: Reason Roundup
Plus: The Justice Department goes after "net neutrality" in California and SNL takes on Brett Kavanaugh.
Should Dried Up Tree Frog Sex Ponds Limit Property Rights?
The Supreme Court will rule on whether the Endangered Species Act has failed wildlife and private property owners alike.
This California Man Researched the City Code Before Building a 'Dream' Treehouse. The City Is Screwing Him Anyway.
Not only did Brian Esola make sure he wasn't violating the city code, he also checked with his neighbors beforehand.
Seattle's Amazon Tax Was Going to Raise $20 Million For Affordable Housing. Now the City is Getting Sued for $40 Million for Stopping a Housing Project.
The city's attempt to save the famed Showbox music venue has predictably resulted in a lawsuit.
Yet Another Federal Court Rejects Claims that Exposing Taxis to Competition from Uber and Lyft is a Taking
This is the latest in a series of federal court decision rejecting such arguments. The right to operate a taxi business does not create a "property" right in suppressing competition.
A New Jersey Family Wanted Local Kids to Read More. Then a Neighbor Called the Cops.
The family set up a mini-library-and got a visit from the police.
Cory Booker Proposes Bill to Curb Exclusionary Zoning
He deserves credit for being one of the very few national politicians to focus on this enormous problem. If enacted, his proposal would be a step in the right direction, though it is likely to have only a modest impact.
The Unknown History of State Constitutional Prohibitions on Government Actions that "Damage" Property without Compensation
Many state constitutions require the government to pay compensation when it acts in ways that "damage" private property. An important new article by legal scholar Maureen Brady reveals the previously ignored history of these provisions, and the lessons that can be learned from it.
Court Decision Striking Down Albuquerque Asset Forfeiture Program Could Help Protect Property Rights Around the Country
If accepted by other courts, the judge's reasoning could curb a variety of other state and federal asset forfeiture policies that threaten the property rights of innocent people.
Federal Judge Breaks Up Albuquerque's Car Theft Ring
A new ruling says the city's civil forfeiture program violates the right to due process.
Houses Passes Private Property Rights Protection Act—But Celebration is Premature
The eminent domain reform bill is the same legislation that has passed the House three previous times since 2005. Each time, it died in the Senate without ever coming to a vote.
Watch Little Pink House, Drama About Eminent Domain Abuse, in Safety of Your Own Home!
Award-winning movie about Susette Kelo's attempt to save house from a local government gone klepto is out on streaming and video-on-demand services.
Landlords Fight Back Against Local Governments Waging War on Short-Term Rentals
The Goldwater Institute filed three cases in California, Seattle, and Miami Beach to defend the rights of property owners against unfair home sharing laws.
Supreme Court Will Hear Case on the Excessive Fines Clause that Could End Up Curbing Asset Forfeiture Abuse
The case will decide whether the Excessive Fines Clause of the Eighth Amendment applies to the states. If so, it will also have to address how much it restricts asset forfeiture.
Trump, Ryan, and Walker Want to Seize Wisconsin Homes to Build a Foxconn Plant
State and local officials are doling out $4.5 billion and 1,000 acres to lure the Taiwanese manufacturing giant.
Rand Paul's Violent Neighbor Motivated by Brush Piles on Paul's Property
Some pundits blamed the victim, but the attack that broke six of Paul's ribs was motivated by aesthetic rage, not some actual fault of Paul's.
Our Amicus Brief in Major Property Rights Case Currently Before the Supreme Court
I coauthored an amicus brief in an important takings case, on behalf of the Cato Institute, The National Federation of Independent Business, and several other organizations.
Stossel Confronts Politicians About Corruption Allegations
Developer claims politicians blocked their project to favor a crony who helps the politicians.
California Lawmakers Look to Stop Cities from Billing Citizens Thousands for Their Own Prosecutions
A bill would stop the use of private lawyers to try to force residents to pay massive fees for minor crimes.
Give Susette Kelo Her Land Back
Jeff Benedict, author of "Little Pink House," proposes that the City of New London return the land it condemned in the takings that led to the notorious Supreme Court decision in Kelo v. City of New London.
St. Louis Town Agrees to Stop Bankrolling Itself by Fining Its Residents into the Poorhouse
Pagedale, Missouri, will stop trying to fine you for having mismatched curtains or saggy pants.
A Candidate for the Title of Dumbest Land-Use Restriction in the Nation
A DC law bars property owners from redeveloping land containing a full-service gas station, or removing them to make way for other uses.
The Defeat of California Senate Bill 827 and the Future of the Struggle to Curb Zoning
A California bill that would have greatly liberalized zoning rules failed in the state legislature. The defeat has implications for the broader struggle to expand housing and job opportunities for the poor.
"Little Pink House" Brings the Kelo Case to the Big Screen
An impressive new movie dramatizes the story behind the famous Supreme Court case about whether it is permissible for the government to condemn homes in order to promote private "economic development."
Stossel: Little Pink House
The story of how the government can take your home against your will.
Court Rules That Seattle Law Banning Landlords From Screening 'Qualified' Tenants Is a Taking
The state court ruling also concluded the taking violates the state constitution because it is for a forbidden "private use," rather than a public one.
Maryland City Raises Property Tax on Businesses by 800 Percent, in Bid to Attract More Businesses
Now they're being sued for it.
Supreme Court Will Hear Important Property Rights Case
This could result in a ruling overturning a terrible 1985 decision that makes it very difficult to bring takings cases in federal court.
Border Control Installs Camera On Man's Property Without Asking. When He Takes It Down, They Demand It Back. Now He's Suing.
Ricardo Palacios is fighting for his right to be left alone.
City Demands $6,000 from Woman over Illegal Chickens
A municipal scheme with a private prosecution firm leads to outrageous fines in the California desert.
Exposing Taxis to Competition from Uber and Lyft Is Not a Taking that Requires Compensation Under the Constitution
A federal court correctly rejects a dubious takings claim by Philadelphia cab companies.
Neil Gorsuch and Samuel Alito Butt Heads Over the Fourth Amendment, Again
Gorsuch advances another property rights theory of the Fourth Amendment that Alito rejects.
This California City Is Threatening a Family Over Property Fines Sent to a Dead Woman at the Wrong Address
An already awful practice of trying to use code violations as a revenue stream gets truly grotesque.
Florida Couple Fined $50 Per Day for 'Illegal' Treehouse on Their Own Property
Cited for building the treehouse without a proper permit, the family must now file for permits to tear it down.
California Bill Cutting Back Zoning Could Increase Access to Housing and Jobs for Millions
By greatly reducing zoning restrictions on housing construction, Bill 827 could massively expand opportunity for large numbers of people.
