Senate Bill 18: Texas’ Kelo Problem Still Not Solved

May 11, 2009

Texas cities believe that SB 18 will allow them to conduct eminent domain business as usual. That is correct. SB 18 does nothing to stop Kelo-style takings in Texas.

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Historic Preservation Commissions Tread on Property Rights

John Mark Slack wanted to restore his historic San Marcos home for livability. But San Marcos’ Historic Preservation Commission demanded that in order to get a Certificate of Appropriateness—its stamp of approval—he must replace the roof, siding and doors; broaden the front porch, and add skirting to their specifications. But commissioners didn’t stop there. In...

August 20, 2025

Local Government

When Government Lobbies Itself: Why Texas Should Ban Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying

Texas local governments use taxpayer dollars to hire lobbyists to influence state legislation—creating conflicts of interest, distorting democratic accountability, and undermining the interests of Texas taxpayers. Key points: Taxpayer-funded lobbying expenditures more than doubled from the 85th to the 89th Legislature, now reaching as high as $111.5 million. Taxpayer-funded lobbyists consistently opposed legislation involving property...

April 6, 2026

Local Government

Zoning Promised Order, But Delivered Scarcity.

Texas adopted Hoover’s blueprint a century ago. Today, the bill is due in higher prices and lost liberty. Progressive-era policy rears its head in Texas housing. A century after Herbet Hoover put housing under government management, innovation has faltered, consumer choice has dwindled, and costs have exploded. Popular sentiment casts Herbert Hoover as a do-nothing,...

December 16, 2025

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Historic Preservation Commissions Tread on Property Rights

When Government Lobbies Itself: Why Texas Should Ban Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying

Zoning Promised Order, But Delivered Scarcity.