Find out the latest in eminent domain news from around Texas.
Abbott Gives Support to High-Speed Rail in a Letter to Japanese Government
Source: The Texan
Governor Greg Abbott recently claimed in a letter to Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga of Japan that the Dallas-to-Houston Texas Central high-speed rail project has his “full support” and is ready to start construction.
In his letter dated October 2, Abbott expressed his desire that “final negotiations with Japan” be completed soon and that the Japanese contact the Texas Economic Development Corporation (TXEDC) for available assistance.
High-speed train between Dallas and Houston gets federal approval
Source: The Texas Tribune
The high-speed train that promises to transport passengers between Dallas and Houston in 90 minutes has been approved by the Federal Railroad Administration, according to Texas Central Railroad.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration issued the two key rulings, which provide the regulatory framework and the environmental review for the high-speed train, that Texas officials were waiting on to move forward with the project, according to the company.
The fight over the border wall: These Texas landowners are in race against the clock
Source: Corpus Christi Caller Times
Ricardo de Anda is hoping to run out the clock on the Trump administration’s plans to stretch the border barrier west through Laredo. A veteran South Texas lawyer, De Anda represents a collection of Laredo-area landowners whose land would be taken for the project.
“The strategy is to drag this out past the January inauguration date. (Democratic presidential nominee Joe) Biden has already promised he’s not going to do any construction if he’s the president,” de Anda said. “And we can take that to the bank.”
McKinney moves ahead with public parking project
Source: McKinney Courier-Gazette
The McKinney City Council approved in a 6-1 vote to direct the city manager to acquire property, using eminent domain if necessary, for a public parking project.
The vote approved a resolution that authorizes and directs City Manager Paul Grimes to negotiate for and acquire multiple lots for the city’s East Louisiana Public Parking Project.
North Texas City Threatens To Take Property From Church
Source: CBSDFW.COM
A small North Texas church is fighting back as the city of Duncanville attempts to seize their property using eminent domain.
The city says it will utilize the property in plans it has developed to build a new fire station. There is already one across the street from the church’s lot.
Attorneys for the church filed a motion this week to stop that from happening, arguing for protections under the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
