Property Rights
Your home is your castle—unless the government thinks it should be a shopping center. Learn how citizens and local governments can protect homes and businesses from government takeovers.
Phoenix--In 2002, a New Jersey woman named Carol Thomas made headlines after her teenage son used her 1990 Ford Thunderbird to sell marijuana to an undercover police officer. He was arrested, pled guilty and faced his punishment. But that did not end the case. The government also seized Thomas' car, despite the fact that no drugs were found in the car, she was the sole owner, and she had no knowledge of her son's use of the car to sell illegal drugs.
Phoenix--The City of Tempe has filed a motion asking Judge Robert Oberbillig to give it another chance to make its case in the lawsuit filed by the Goldwater Institute on behalf of two tattoo studio entrepreneurs.
Phoenix--A Goldwater Institute attorney said today that H.B. 2474, which has passed the Arizona House of Representatives and awaits action by the Senate, could expose the State of Arizona to more than $263 million in claims for compensation from property owners.
The bill would forbid businesses from prohibiting employees or patrons from having guns in cars in private parking lots or garages. The guns must be locked and out of sight.
Case Background:
Mike Goodman is a Tucson businessman who buys run-down properties in the downtown area and near the UofA, demolishes them, and rebuilds upscale housing.
Phoenix--In a clear victory for property owners in Arizona, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors today lifted a moratorium on building permits in neighborhoods surrounding Luke Air Force Base. The moratorium was the target of $20 million in legal claims filed by the Goldwater Institute on February 17 under protections provided by Prop 207, the Private Property Rights Protection Act.
Phoenix--The Goldwater Institute filed legal claims today against Maricopa County totaling $20 million on behalf of more than 175 property owners. The compensation claims were filed under provisions of Proposition 207, the Private Property Rights Protection Act, which requires government to compensate property owners when it passes laws or rules that reduce existing property values.
The Goldwater Institute filed a $20 million dollar claim against Maricopa County on behalf of more than 175 property owners. Under Prop 207, government is required to compensate property owners when it enacts laws that reduce existing property values. Maricopa County placed a building moratorium on building permits in the "Clear Zone" near Luke Air Force Base, which lowered residents' property values. Attorney Carrie Ann Sitren appeared on Channel 3 to explain.
The principles of individual rights and limited government enshrined in the Arizona Constitution are as relevant today as they were when it was written almost 100 years ago. Indeed, its words are the very foundation of ideas that will advance freedom. Article II, Section II of the Arizona Constitution clearly states the purpose of government: All political power is inherent in the people, and governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, and are established to protect and maintain individual rights.
Phoenix--The Goldwater Institute today filed a legal challenge against Mesas cultural facilities impact fee, in an effort to force the city to abide by its legal requirement that impact fees must be for necessary public services related to new development.
We have been inundated with stories about the statewide smoking ban that went into effect last week. Reports indicated that patrons cheered at some establishments when the ban became effective on May 1st.
The Arizona Republic noted, The air in the Valley just got a little bit clearer, at least inside.
But the law was never really about breathing healthy air. It was about a majority imposing its will on an unpopular minority.
And its not the smokers I'm talking about.