tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post114962593772911855..comments2023-11-27T02:17:22.859-06:00Comments on The LawDog Files: The Trans-Texas CorridorLawDoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05232684877582591461noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1149896201612500482006-06-09T18:36:00.000-05:002006-06-09T18:36:00.000-05:00Hi, I'm from the government. I'm here to help.Hi, I'm from the government. I'm here to help.catfishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08124423063293021127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1149738958711847182006-06-07T22:55:00.000-05:002006-06-07T22:55:00.000-05:00You know, I have absolutely no problem with eminen...You know, I have absolutely no problem with eminent domain when used for public works projects (as opposed to private business for tax purposes). That said, there is one thing that I take huge issue with, and it is this. If the government wants to take someone's land against their will, they should be forced to pay 2x the appraised value for the land and all improvements on the land. At least if someone's land is taken, they should make out quite well for it, instead of getting 1/2 the value of the land alone.<BR/><BR/>That said, that 2x value should be 2x the highest appraised value for the property and all improvements over the last 10 years (incase the value just recently tanked).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1149656544107929022006-06-07T00:02:00.000-05:002006-06-07T00:02:00.000-05:00Wouldn't be needed if Texas didn't grow any larger...Wouldn't be needed if Texas didn't grow any larger in either population or business activity.<BR/><BR/>Drive I-35 from Laredo to Dallas, and I'd bet you'll holler for more lanes. Same for I-10 east from Houston.<BR/><BR/>A 1,200-foot ROW sounds like a lot, but what's the present ROW width of an Interstate?<BR/><BR/>From past (anecdotal) experience of eminent domain cases in Texas, the landowner who goes to a jury tends to get tomorrow's prices, today. And the money is tax-free.<BR/><BR/>I spent some years in the dam/reservoir bidness. Eminent domain takings do indeed result in heartbreak, no doubt. But not always...<BR/><BR/>Without eminent domain, there'd be no water, oil or gas pipelines across the state, and no highways without a lot of 90-degree corners. Well, okay, land sales might occur, but the pricing would be outrageous.<BR/><BR/>I'm less negative about the transportation corridor concept than I am about how it's to be done. "No man's property is safe when the Legislature is in session." I think our interpretation of the Texas Constitution is in error. The Lege meets 140 days every two years; it should be for two days every 140 years.<BR/><BR/>ArtAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1149643668783637842006-06-06T20:27:00.000-05:002006-06-06T20:27:00.000-05:00Armed robbery writ large.Armed robbery writ large.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22957834.post-1149636135707524992006-06-06T18:22:00.000-05:002006-06-06T18:22:00.000-05:00Oh, my thorns and berries. The roadbuilding machin...Oh, my thorns and berries. The roadbuilding machine here would positively howl like a pack of mecha-wolves if they had a chance at doing something like that. It's far worse than <A HREF="http://www.no92.com" REL="nofollow">what we're up against.</A><BR/><BR/>All I can say is bklokjgq the lot of them. Better yet, ship 'em to Somalia where they can play in the sand all they want.<BR/><BR/>- NFAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com