Are you familiar with your local tree ordinances? If not, you might want to do some research before breaking out the chainsaw. Cities and townships across the country have some version of tree-related rules that property owners must follow, or face consequences. The Center for the American Future, TPPF’s public interest litigation team, has now challenged...
Matthew Bernard wanted to build a home. He bought a small lot in Oakland, California, and began clearing several diseased and fallen trees that the local fire department had identified as hazards. The result was a $915,000 “mitigation fee” from the city of Oakland—nearly five times the value of the lot itself. Under Oakland’s tree ordinance,...
In 2013, the Obama Administration offered “Housing First” as the means to end homelessness in 10 years. Over a decade later, homelessness is more prevalent than ever, and taxpayers have been financing ever-increasing funding to programs that are failing to achieve their stated goal of ending homelessness. Key points: The “Housing First” approach was proposed...