[CPEO-BIF] Eminent domain legislation

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

States eye land seizure limits
Bills would rein in eminent domain

By Dennis Cauchon
USA TODAY
February 20, 2006

More than 30 state legislatures are considering limits on the power of 
local governments to condemn private property and transfer it to real 
estate developers to spur economic growth.

Lawmakers are responding to a Supreme Court ruling in June that 
permitted eminent domain powers to be used in New London, Conn., to 
confiscate waterfront homes to build an office complex and condominiums. 
The 5-4 ruling prompted property rights advocates to take their case to 
state legislatures.

Five states enacted small changes last year, but most legislatures were 
not in session after the court ruling. "This is the crucial year for the 
eminent domain issue," says Larry Morandi, who tracks eminent domain 
legislation for the National Conference of State Legislatures.

...

For the entire article, see
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20060220/1a_lede20.art.htm

--
Lenny Siegel
Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
c/o PSC, 278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
http://www.cpeo.org

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