Recent Articles

Global Warming As the New Anti-Growth Tool

Mark Alpert
July 30, 2008 17:30

The environmental movement has been hijacked by anti-growth,  anti-business and really anti-free market radicals, who oppose the very idea of individual property rights and view private business as the enemy.   These causes are also hijacked by...

How about some Madison with your hot dog on July 4th?

Mark Alpert
July 03, 2008 17:33

James Madison was a principal author of the United States Constitution.  He was also a great proponent of property rights.  Thus, it is particularly sad and ironic that property rights seem to have received short shrift for reasons of political expendiency.  Indeed, this was a...

Eminent Domain, Elections, California's Most Recent Experience

Mark Alpert
June 17, 2008 17:14

Property Rights attorney Bill Dahlin offers his post-mortem on Prop. 98:On June 3, 2008, California’s mid-year election process took place.  The early June date, which had historically been utilized as a primary for presidential candidate voting, was changed as of this year so that...

The Press Spreads Misinformation on Proposition 98

Mark Alpert
May 19, 2008 16:32

The opponents of Proposition 98 have plenty of allies in the press, who seem all to happy to spread misinformation about the property rights initiative.  The typical story focuses on the plight of renters under rent control, who claim they will be "out on the street"...

Should Property Rights Be Decided By Majority Vote?

Mark Alpert
April 28, 2008 15:35

On April 21, 2008, the City Council for the City of Seal Beach voted 4 to 1 to adopt a controversial ban on third story construction in the downtown area.   This decision could have enormous financial consequences for home owners in the area who bought with the expectation, under...

The Press and Property Rights

Mark Alpert
April 18, 2008 21:32

My law firm is often involved in litigating cases that get press attention.   We typically represent  landlords and developers.  The coverage couldn't be more biased and shallow.   A perfect example is yesterday's Orange County Register, reporting on litigation...

Orlando Florida Weighs Housing Fee To Make Housing Affordable

Mark Alpert
February 29, 2008 18:11

Common sense would suggest that adding a fee to the cost of housing would make housing less affordable.    As a Californian, I don't really expect common sense from our politicians.  However, I would have expected better from Florida (Is it the heat?)  The Orlando Sentinel...

Eminent Domain Reform Does Not Mean Economic Doomsday

Mark Alpert
January 30, 2008 16:28

Will there be an economic "doomsday" if governments cannot condemn property without the requirement of an actual public purpose for the condemned land?  Seems like a ludicrous proposition, but it has been the primary argument against eminent domain reform.  Well, the...

Will Politics Trump Property Rights For Anaheim Stadium Project?

Mark Alpert
January 28, 2008 17:05

Archstone-Smith owns certain development rights to property adjacent to Anaheim Stadium owned by the City of Anaheim.   Archstone-Smith wants to develop retail and commercial property on the site, which makes the most sense for the location.  The lease between the...

WHY RENT CONTROL DOESN'T WORK

Mark Alpert
January 25, 2008 15:58

As someone who works in the area of rent control, it is hard for me to understand why anyone would think rent control was good government policy.   Yet, too few people understand the basic economics which demonstrate that rent control does not help provide affordable housing.  For...