The authors explore the history of eminent domain in the United States—a history characterized by periodic public backlash.
Author Archives: admin
Enviropreneurs Expunge Externalities
Wikipedia—externality: an impact on a party that is not directly involved in the transaction. PERC—enviropreneur: a person who has no patience for externalities. For several years, I have been on a campaign to expunge the term “externality” from the vocabulary of economists, policy makers, and environmentalists. My campaign is not motivated by a belief thatContinue reading “Enviropreneurs Expunge Externalities”
In Praise of the 10,000 Mile Diet
The 100-Mile Diet, inspired by Alisa Smith and J.B. MacKinnon who participated in a one-year experiment in local eating, led thousands of individuals to change the way they eat. “Eat local” has become a mainstream mantra of those who claim that increased local food production and consumption have significant economic, environmental, and social benefits.Continue reading “In Praise of the 10,000 Mile Diet”
Watch speakers at the Property Rights Forum
Randal O’Toole Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute Expertise: urban planning, public land, transportation "Property Rights for Rural and Urban Landowners" Link to presentation Steven L. Hayward Senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute Co-author of the annual Index of Leading Environmental Indicators "Property Rights and the Global Commons: An Alternative to Kyoto-Copenhagen Climate Policy"Continue reading “Watch speakers at the Property Rights Forum”
Tiger Farms: A conservation idea
red in tooth and claw?
By Dean Irvine Could "tiger farms"—where the animals would be bred in captivity then culled for their body parts—help save the critically endangered animal in the wild? "Regulated tiger farms could provide enough tiger products to reduce the pressure on wild tigers from poaching," said Terry Anderson, executive director of the Property and Environment ResearchContinue reading “Tiger Farms: A conservation idea
red in tooth and claw?”
Let’s Talk Trash
Jane Chastain Let’s get down and dirty. Now don’t get excited. This column is not the least bit off-color or X-rated. I’m talking about your garbage. Do you recycle? Do you meticulously separate your cans, bottles and plastic containers from the paper and cardboard? The world is going green, but when it comes to ourContinue reading “Let’s Talk Trash”
Picking Sides
By Marty Trillhaase JEERS … to Idaho schools Superintendent Tom Luna. Last week he persuaded the Idaho Land Board to drain an extra $22 million from an endowment reserve account to soften the budget hit on public schools. This week, he derailed pumping more money into it. At issue are the 521 cottage sites IdahoContinue reading “Picking Sides”
Seen, unseen costs of stream access
Watch News In one of the classic essays in economics, Frederic Bastiat describes how breaking a windowpane generates two types of effects: the “seen” and the “unseen.” The seen effect is the window’s repair. A repairman replaces the window and receives payment for this service. Thus, broken windows make window repairmen better off. The unseenContinue reading “Seen, unseen costs of stream access”
Performing due dilligence on green energy investments
By Andrew P. Morriss Madam Chairman and members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify before your Committee as you consider the important question of the role of public investment in alternative energy sources, such as solar power, and the impact of that investment on our economy. An aggressive push for publicContinue reading “Performing due dilligence on green energy investments”
Your Land is My Land: Property Rights in Montana
Cost: Registrations include lunch and the all-day forum. Before February 15, registration is $15 per person and includes a complimentary copy of Property Rights: A Practical Guide to Freedom & Prosperity by Terry L. Anderson and Laura E. Huggins. After February 15, registration is $20 per person. How to: By phone: Call PERC atContinue reading “Your Land is My Land: Property Rights in Montana”