[1rudeboy]

There's also a lot of talk of private businesses (hotels, gas stations, etc.), being able to push through Eminent Domain to grab land from private land owners . . . .

[sigh]

Gov. Perry Signs New Law Protecting Property Rights
Texas Senate clarifies eminent domain law

[Hydroshock]

So, Gov Goodhair's cronies are still taking land away from these people for a private busines.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

As I understand it, the new law exempts Trans-Texas Corridor activities from its eminent domain restrictions.

[af_vet_rr]

From one article you linked: The multiplication of amendments raised concerns with some that the bill's purpose was being eroded.

"My concern here is that we've actually made it easier for these entities to go in and condemn public property under eminent domain," said Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands.

You are probably familiar with the concept of "easements" or taking property adjacent to railroads, highways, etc. for public use as we've seen in the past - what's to stop the government from claiming your private land as part of the TTC, say as an easement (whatever legal definition they want to use), and then turning around giving it to somebody who would provide a necessity (gas, food, lodging) - technically it would be public property at that point, like what Senator Williams was worried about, and so they wouldn't be taking private property and giving it to another private company - they would be taking private property, making it public, and then giving it to another private entity.

Looking at what Perry's website page that you linked said: will protect Texans against government entities that may want to seize their private property on behalf of other private ventures that may be more lucrative.

That doesn't address what maybe considered, what I would call "public necessity".

I may not be able to condemn and take your house because I can pay more taxes, but you can bet that if you are a farmer with land that the TTC is going to go over, that depending on location, I can say "people using the TTC will need a restaurant and gas station on this land", and I would bet that I can get your land at that point.

Think about it - the politicians have promised that the TTC will be dotted with restaurants, hotels, gas stations, etc., but if they can't take the land from private owners and give it to other private entities, how they are they going to deliver on that?