The Docket: July 31, 2026
The Docket is PLF’s weekly newsletter covering the cases, clients, and policy battles shaping the future of liberty in America. You can catch up on last week’s Docket here and subscribe below to receive future editions in your inbox.
A district judge declares Rhode Island town’s eminent domain attempt “constitutionally deficient”; Houston’s race-based contracting program is permanently struck down; and a Honolulu retiree agrees to a 95% reduction to $600k in fines, gets to keep her home.
Rhode Island family defeats town’s unconstitutional land grab
In December 2024, Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr. of Johnston, Rhode Island, vowed to “use all the power of government” he had to derail the Santoro family’s development plans for a badly needed affordable housing project. By late January 2025, the Johnston town council followed through on the mayor’s promise—voting to seize the family’s land, claiming it needed the property for a new municipal complex.
On Tuesday, a federal court struck down the town’s attempt to seize the property, declaring the land grab “constitutionally deficient” and “void from its inception.”
Court strikes down Houston’s race-based contracting program
Jerry and Theresa Thompson never asked for handouts. They built their businesses over the course of 30+ years through hard work and healthy competition, maintaining the landscaping of local parks, playgrounds, and other government properties.
But as they looked to retire and pass their businesses down to the next generation, they saw a bleak future—where public contracts are increasingly awarded based on race, not merit. To preserve their family’s legacy, they chose to fight back with federal lawsuits against the City of Houston and Harris County, respectively, challenging discriminatory carveouts in public contracting.
Earlier this week, a federal judge handed down a sweeping victory against the City of Houston, permanently striking down the City’s race-based contracting program.
Honolulu retiree celebrates win in lawsuit challenging City’s excessive fines
Earlier this summer, PLF attorneys filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of 83-year-old Sandra May—arguing that the $600,000 in fines levied against her by the City and County of Honolulu were unconstitutionally excessive.
Sandra’s crime? A website error led to her long-term rental being inadvertently marketed as a short-term rental.
Last Friday, Sandra formally accepted a settlement reducing the astronomical fine by 95% and resolving all other claims against her.
The family caught in the crosshairs of NYC’s rent control
In the 1930s, Lynette Ciner’s grandparents moved into a six-unit building on New York City’s Third Avenue, where they also operated a ground-floor storefront. By 1940, the family had saved enough money to buy the building. For the family, it was more than just a line item on a balance sheet—it was their legacy.
In 2020, after Lynette and her husband Richard took control of the property, they dreamed of renovating the retail space and moving into the building for their retirement. But those dreams quickly fell apart when they began running the numbers. Thanks to the City’s rent-control policies, rising taxes, and insurance costs, the building had become less of an asset and more a burden.
In 2022, they turned to the courts for help—challenging the constitutionality of the City’s rent-stabilization law—but their case was dismissed on a technicality. Now, the Ciners have teamed up with PLF to continue their fight by petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court to hear their case.
Quick Hits
- New York Post: Congress’ housing bill isn’t enough to fix California’s problems
- The Orange County Register: Newsom’s latest housing bill proves impact fees are extortion
- New York Post: New Jersey’s outrageous union giveaways are paving a road to ruin
