Property rights
Freedom and Property Rights Assaulted in Downers Grove, IL
When Richard and Corinne Rekash landscaped their back yard and put up a small religious statue in July 2004, they had no idea it would spark a three-year court battle.
However, that's exactly what has happened.
It all started when Charles Moran received a phone call from a friend.
She explained to him how her plans to build a modest expansion onto her home and add a sandbox and swing for the kids had run up against a wall-a $40,000 wall of government rules and regulations. The incident prompted Moran to organize local citizens in support of a ballot initiative that would eventually restore the property rights of residents of Brighton Township, Michigan, and curtail a local government that has gone too far.
Saving San Clemente: Rick Collins
Rick Collins bought a home in San Clemente, California 17 years ago because it was a great place to open a business and raise a family.
In the past few years, however, he's been feeling differently.
Protecting Property Rights in California
For far too long, municipal governments have gotten away with trampling on private property rights by abusing the power of eminent domain. For a while, it looked like the same sad story would be repeated in National City, California, a predominantly Hispanic-American suburb of San Diego. But thanks to Jeff Rowes and the Institute for Justice, it seems this tale may have a much happier ending.
California Citizens Take the Lead for Private Property Rights
Since the Supreme Court's infamous Kelo decision in 2005, states across the country have enacted stronger, more secure measures of protection for private property rights. Thus far, however, such reforms have skipped over the largest state in the country, prompting California citizens to take charge of the effort and leave a reluctant legislature in the dust.
Sam In The News: John Stossel Highlights Arlington Heights Victory
"Opponents of eminent domain finally have something to celebrate. After a public campaign, Target Corp. has decided not to build a store on condemned property in Arlington Heights, Ill.,"writes acclaimed journalist John Stossel in an article highlighting the victory and the Sam Adams Alliance.
Major Property Rights Victory in Missouri
Thanks to the tenacity of Homer Tourkakis, Missouri property owners have a major victory on their side in the battle against eminent domain abuse.
Fighting for Justice in St. Louis: Jim Roos
Jim Roos, 63, has long been concerned with issues of justice. So when the St. Louis city government snatched a whopping 24 of his real estate company's properties to put up quarter-million-dollar homes in their place, he decided to roll up his sleeves and fight back.
In Douglas Adams’s Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, hero Arthur Dent loses his house to his government’s hired bulldozers just as the officious Vogons destroy Earth itself to make way for a hyperspace express route. The Vogons are unsympathetic to any Earthling complaint. After all, papers for this eminent domain taking had been on public display in an office in Alpha Centauri. Can’t happen here?
Tell Target: Don't Bulldoze Property Rights!
Small businesses are at risk - stand up for property rights today. Click here to read more and to download a printable flyer that you can give to the manager at your local Target store.
California Group Wins for Accountable Government...And Stays Together To Do More
Steve Sherman, co-chairman of the California group NoGRAB, helped rally Gardena citizens together to stand for accountable city government. Now, even after victory, NoGRAB continues to work for property rights state-wide.
Standing up for Property Rights in Illinois
Kirk Denz and his wife, Cindy, closed on their house on Wooster Lake just 8 hours before their son was born three-and-a-half years ago—and like most lake property owners, they looked forward to enjoying the water with their family and friends. But their local government had other plans.
