The Institute for Justice (IJ) is at the forefront of the national battle to protect property rights from eminent domain abuse. In collaboration with the Foundation, Clark Neily, one of IJ’s senior attorneys, examines the current situation in Texas and proposes changes to Texas law that would provide protections for private ownership of land once thought to be enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.
Small Towns, Big Tax Increases
The city of Whitesboro ignited a firestorm recently when officials suggested adopting a tax rate that would have skyrocketed the average homeowner’s property tax bill by 61 percent. The initial public hearing to discuss the matter drew hordes of angry Whitesboro residents who voiced their discontent. So much so, in fact, that city councilmembers tabled...