In 1790, there were 23 federal crimes. By 2008, there were over 4,450 federal criminal offenses and over 300,000 regulatory offenses that carried a criminal penalty. These regulatory offenses, promulgated not by Congress but by unelected bureaucrats, gen- erally criminalize everyday business activity traditionally left for civil and administrative remedies. Many of these “crimes” do not require the actor to even know he or she has committed an offense, also known as m
Restoring Private Property Rights: Regulatory Takings
Municipal regulations like zoning ordinances can infringe on private property rights and distort the housing market. Key points: Private property rights are under threat from municipal zoning ordinances and design mandates. Texas law has failed to adequately protect property owners from regulatory takings. By closing the municipal loophole, Texas can be the national leader in...