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Institute for Justice updates

Richie DeVillier ([link removed] )

Just Compensation

U.S. Supreme Court Will Hear Case of Texas Farmer Flooded Out by the State

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case of Richie DeVillier, a Texas farmer seeking compensation from the state after the construction of a concrete barrier along a highway caused several devastating floods on his property. When the DeVilliers sued Texas, an appeals court held that they couldn’t—because Congress has never passed a law allowing citizens to sue states for taking property, the Fifth Amendment’s guarantee of “just compensation” was unenforceable. The case presents a simple yet vital question of constitutional law: When the Constitution says government must pay “just compensation” when it takes private property, does it mean what it says?

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IFJ_7376-768x432 ([link removed] )

Zoning

Victory in Action: Shelter Welcomes Those in Need

Three years after it asked the town of North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, for permission to put a piece of property to productive use, the Catherine H. Barber Memorial Shelter finally opened its doors. All it took was tenacity, determination, and an IJ lawsuit to get there. IJ attorneys were on hand to celebrate the grand opening.

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Altimont Mark Wilks ([link removed] )

Fresh Starts

SNAPping Back at the USDA

Altimont Wilks will be the first to tell you: He used to be a drug dealer. In 2004, he was caught with a gun and drugs. He went to prison. But he came out a changed man. Today, he’s a pillar of his Hagerstown, Maryland, community—not just an exemplar, according to state leaders, but even a member of the Rotary Club alongside the judge who sentenced him. But his small business is struggling, because the government has decided that Altimont will always be the man he was 19 years ago.

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Current IJ president Scott Bullock with Susette Kelo ([link removed] )

Inside IJ

IJ’s 400th Case!

Altimont’s case marks a major milestone for IJ: It is the 400th lawsuit we have filed in court. In August, Altimont joined the more than 1,200 courageous clients who have fought alongside IJ since we opened our doors in 1991. Over the past three decades, we’ve helped return more than $21 million in wrongfully forfeited property, saved more than 20,000 homes and businesses from the government’s wrecking ball, and rolled back burdensome regulations in 44 mostly working-class occupation. And we’re growing faster than ever in terms of cases and impact.

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IJ Podcasts

Short Circuit Podcast ([link removed] )

Short Circuit: Stanford’s Supreme Court Clinic

Enjoy a fascinating look at how cases get to the Court, how they’re argued, and how the dynamics of the current Court are shaping those arguments.

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Short Circuit Podcast ([link removed] )

Short Circuit: Supreme Court Preview at UNC!

For the 7th year in a row Short Circuit travels to the University of North Carolina School of Law to preview the upcoming Supreme Court term.

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