Articles

House of Representatives passes eminent domain reform bill

February 29, 2012 | By TIMOTHY SANDEFUR

After the infamous decision in Kelo v. New London, the fight over eminent domain abuse shifted primarily to states, many of which passed laws designed (or, at least, pretending) to restrict the power of eminent domain. Federal reform seemed less likely, for a number of reasons—primarily because most eminent domain abuse occurs in the name … ...

Articles

California decision chills public interest litigation

February 29, 2012 | By BRIAN HODGES

Earlier today, the California Supreme Court denied review of the case Vargas v. City of Salinas, which sought review of an outrageous, ruinous award of over $250,000 in attorneys’ fees against two individuals who brought a nonfrivolous public interest lawsuit against a city (they won a legal issue, but lost on the facts).  PLF filed … ...

Articles

Hearing in Coastal Commission suit postponed

February 29, 2012 | By PAUL BEARD

As I reported last week, we had a hearing on Monday in SDS Family Trust v. California Coastal Commission, before the San Luis Obispo Superior Court.  But unfortunately, we have no real news to report.  The Court asked for additional briefing on a couple of issues and set a new hearing for April.  Stay tuned for … ...

Articles

Reason.tv interviews Mike & Chantell Sackett

February 28, 2012 | By PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION

Reason.tv visited the Sacketts in Priest Lake, Idaho, and put together this great interview with them and with their attorney, Pacific Legal Foundation’s Damien Schiff. httpv://youtu.be/40iHXAOjJ3U … ...

Articles

PLF attorney Ted Hadzi-Antich discussing EPA's CO2 endangerment case on Cato Institute panel March 1

February 28, 2012 | By PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION

PLF environmental law attorney Ted Hadzi-Antich is attending oral argument today and tomorrow in United States Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit in a series of consolidated cases, including Pacific Legal Foundation v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in which various entities (there are 67 different petitioners) are challenging the EPA& ...

Articles

Some closing thoughts on substantive due process of law

February 28, 2012 | By TIMOTHY SANDEFUR

I sum up with some thoughts on due process, and what the promise of lawful rule means. … ...

Articles

200,000 teachers decide against joining the union

February 28, 2012 | By JOSHUA THOMPSON

This past year, three states passed right-to-work laws, allowing public workers to opt out of union membership.  Unsurprisingly, the National Education Association has 200,000 fewer members this year.  It’s amazing.  When the government stops forcing teachers from contributing to unions, the union rolls drop.  Maybe, just maybe, the u ...

Articles

Why Chapman and McConnell are wrong about substantive due process

February 28, 2012 | By TIMOTHY SANDEFUR

The conversation about substantive due process is winding down at Cato Unbound. This morning I offer some criticisms of Nathan Chapman and Michael McConnell’s new Yale Law Journal article on the subject. … ...

Articles

Testimony of Damien Schiff, Mike & Chantell Sackett in Senate/House Western Caucus hearing on prosperity and property rights

February 28, 2012 | By PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION

As we mentioned, this morning, PLF attorney Damien Schiff and PLF clients Mike & Chantell Sackett will be testifying at a hearing before the Senate and Congressional Western Caucuses.  Here are the prepared statements of Damien Sackett and of Mike and Chantell Sackett. … ...