Property Rights
A Mesa, Arizona businessman learned about eminent domain abuse the hard way. When Bailey said he didn’t want to sell his family-owned brake shop, the city tried to use its power of eminent domain to take his property and give it to a local developer in the name of economic development. Bailey won in court, and Arizona passed Proposition 207 to help protect private property from such abuse. The Goldwater Institute developed Proposition 207 and is monitoring its success, and is committed to ensuring that government respects private property.
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Property tax exemptions may be next battle in subsidy war
Posted on October 23, 2009 | Type: In the NewsThe next shoe to drop in the legal fight over special tax breaks and subsidies for developers could be over the 100 percent tax exemptions ponied up for high-profile projects such as ASU SkySong in Scottsdale and enjoyed by professional sports teams.
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Goldwater Institute asks U.S. Supreme Court to Apply 14th Amendment to Property Seizures
Posted on August 11, 2009 | Type: Press ReleasePhoenix--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.
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Arizona property owners need protection
Posted on August 10, 2009 | Type: Op-Ed | Author: Nick DraniasTucson developer Mike Goodman did everything right. But that didn't stop Tucson bureaucrats from pulling the rug out from underneath him and his construction project.
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Alvarez v. Smith
Posted on August 01, 2009 | Type: Amicus BriefWith states and cities struggling with deficits, one fertile source of revenue has been money or property seized by police in possible connection with crimes. Not to be left behind, Illinois has pursued this tactic aggressively, using a law which encourages both police departments and prosecutors to take property for forfeiture, long before the accused ever get their day in court.
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Forcing Businesses to Allow Guns May Expose State to Millions in Liability
Posted on June 22, 2009 | Type: In the NewsPhoenix--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.
