During the past several sessions of the Texas Legislature, lawmakers have tried to slap down numerous local ordinances that they correctly say violate property rights. Laws protecting trees, restricting banning short-term rentals, and bans on plastic bags have been among their targets. As we have previously written, it is proper for the legislature to prohibit such rights-violating laws.
However, now the principle is on the other foot, and it will be interesting to see if legislators will be consistent advocates for property rights or just another group of hypocrites.
Across Texas, about a dozen municipalities have passed ordinances that prohibit organizations that offer abortion services from buying or leasing property within the municipality. Which means, city leaders can dictate how property can and will be used. But this is no different from the ordinances attacked by conservative legislators.
The difference, or course, is that conservatives are likely to support these so called “sanctuaries for the unborn.” If they support these ordinances, or remain silent on them, then they are saying that property rights can be violated when the cause is right. And those who support tree protection, bans on short-term rentals, and similar issues will agree.
If property rights can be violated when the cause is right, then the only issue up for debate is whether the cause is right. And that means that the principle of property rights has been abandoned for political expediency.