Of late, several Texas cities and counties have established guaranteed income programs (GIPs), which employ redistributive means to provide regular cash payments to select members of a community,
with no strings attached and no work requirement. These publicly-administered programs tend to be “organized around the principles of collectivism, social justice, and government control” (Quintero & Kirwin, 2024, p. 2). Despite certain constitutional and statutory limitations, numerous Texas cities and counties have attempted to establish these types of programs, including the cities of Austin and San Antonio, as well as El Paso and Harris counties.
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...