Federal Public Land Ownership in Utah—Feudalism vs. Federalism
In a throwback to English feudalism, the United States Government currently claims ownership of over 60% of Utah’s land mass and even higher portions of land in many other western states. The vast ownership and retention of land...
Directive 10-289: A Threat to Property Rights
“What [government does] is either hurtful or profitless, injurious or ineffectual. It never can bring any useful result.” —Frederic Bastiat The Salt Lake City Council is proposing to increase the scope of government...
Playing Chicken with Property Rights
“The great and chief end, therefore, of men’s uniting into commonwealths, and putting themselves under government, is the preservation of their property”—John Locke, Second Treatise of Civil Government Last night the City...
Cedar Hills Assumes Control of All Rental Properties
In a recent letter to property owners who rent out their property, the city of Cedar Hills, Utah announced a new ordinance (Title 3-Chapter 1-Article H:Rental Dwelling Unit) that requires these individuals to seek the permission...
Cooperation: A Free Market Model for Environmental Protection
Utah is blessed with some of the most amazing landscapes in the country. From the curious rock waves of Zion’s slot canyons to the Salt Flats in the west desert, tourists from around the world want to visit this state. Utah is...
You Get What You (Don’t) Pay For
“Taxation is theft!” While true, shifting the debate over taxation to its logical conclusion at the outset causes many people to simply ask: “Then how should government services be funded?” Much of the...