In defense of small-business property rights

Florida Voices published a great op-ed by NFIB’s Karen Harned, discussing PLF’s pending U.S. Supreme Court case, Koontz v. St. Johns River Water Management District. The op-ed discusses how the case relates to the small business community and to essential constitutional rights. Ms. Harned writes:

It is true that for most Americans, the Constitution’s promise to protect property rights is more than a lofty ideal — it is essential to their way of life, to their prosperity. . . . For small-business owners, their property is often their largest asset; as a consequence, property rights are critical to protecting their livelihood. The Constitution provides us with the assurance that our property — and our rights to use it — are protected, particularly from a government that seeks to withhold those rights to achieve its own ends.

NFIB also submitted an excellent amicus brief supporting our client, Mr. Coy Koontz, Jr.

The Supreme Court heard arguments in Koontz last month, but will likely not issue an opinion until June. I offered my prediction regarding the outcome in Should Nollan and Dolan apply only to stupid districts? And Brian Hodges offered a prediction in Did the government push too far in Koontz?