Since its inception, the Texas Public Policy Foundation has emphasized the importance of private property rights, not only as rampart of limited government, but also as the indispensable base of a free market economy as well as the financial success this state has witnessed, thanks to the Texas Model. To that end, the Foundation has conducted repeated inquiries as to quality of Texas’ eminent domain laws, placing special significance on how the government can better thread the needle, which defines the precarious balance between public necessity and individual liberty.
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...