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Maui Seeks to Mitigate Future Wildfire Damage Through Property Buyback Program
The smoke has long cleared from the devastating 2023 Lahaina wildfire, but the path to a full recovery remains uncertain and far from complete. Thankfully, Maui County is taking a proactive approach to mitigating wildfire damage through public policy measures. One such measure is a property buyback program. The program would allow qualifying landowners to... Read More
Condemnees Successfully Challenge City of Nanticoke’s Use of Eminent Domain
The Pennsylvania City of Nanticoke tried using its power of eminent domain to take private property so it could develop a multi-purpose building. To say that its plan backfired would be an understatement. Not only did Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court deny the City’s right to take, but its decision imposes more restrictions on eminent domain. Here’s... Read More
New Jersey Tops the Property Tax Charts—Again!
Just as we approach the April 1 filing deadline for 2026 property tax appeals in most New Jersey towns, the Garden State has, yet again, been crowned with having the highest property taxes in the country. If that sounds familiar, it’s not déjà vu. For more than a decade, the state has held onto this... Read More
States Consider Abolishing Property Taxes
For millions of Americans, rising assessments have caused property tax bills to jump sky high. This has threatened to kick many out of their own homes. To address the problem, many states have begun to offer relief programs. But a handful of states have decided to go where no one has gone before and completely... Read More
Homeowners’ Dispute with Beach Association Lands in NJ Tax Court
Although it’s been over thirteen years since Superstorm Sandy wreaked havoc in New Jersey, many beachfront property owners continue to grapple with the regulatory aftermath which has placed restrictions on private property rights. One such case involves owners of beachfront property in Brick Township and the Normandy Beach Association. Tensions between the parties have boiled... Read More
Proposed Housing Development Puts Historic NJ Racetrack at Risk
Like every municipality in New Jersey, Old Bridge Township must provide its “fair share” of affordable housing units. Specifically, it needs to provide 673 units by the year 2035. One proposed development site would substantially help meet that requirement—but it also places a historic local racetrack at risk. Affordable Housing The affordable housing obligation began from... Read More
NJ Legislation Would Increase Filing Fees for Property Tax Appeals
While many things have changed since 1979, New Jersey’s filing fees for property tax appeals are not among them. However, that may no longer be the case. Legislation to increase the fees is pending before the state Legislature. If approved by the Senate and Assembly, then a stroke of the governor’s pen will have New... Read More
Navigating the Standards of Admissibility for Expert Testimony
In the courtroom, rules of evidence aren’t just technicalities—they’re game changers. Among them, one rule stands out. It decides whether expert witnesses can share their specialized knowledge. This single decision can directly affect the outcome of a case. So, what is this rule, and why does it matter so much? We break down the rule... Read More
Property Owners Win Right to Compensation in COVID Ordinance Case
In another major victory for private property rights, the 11th Circuit recently ruled that owners of beachfront properties in Walton County, Florida are entitled to just compensation after an ordinance effectively banned them from accessing their own properties. The ordinance, which was enacted during the COVID pandemic to prevent the spread of the virus, was... Read More
PA Legislative Effort Would Permit Farmland Takings
Pennsylvania State Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill wants owners of farmland to receive fair compensation when their property is taken by eminent domain. Under current legislation, condemnors taking preserved land are only required to pay for the agricultural value of their land. This alone, Phillips-Hill argues, is not adequate. Her proposed bill would fully compensate farmland owners... Read More
