The Reason Foundation - January 2006

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EMINENT DOMAIN

"…there remains the broader issue of why government planners should be empowered to dispossess people in the name of urban renewal. Where the government sees ‘blight,’ its victims see their homes, their hard work, their livelihoods and their dreams." - Reason Senior Editor Jacob Sullum in his nationally syndicated column

Stopping Eminent Domain Abuse
Reason outlines legislation to protect homes, small businesses

Since the Supreme Court failed to defend personal property rights in its Kelo v. New London decision, Reason Foundation has been working with government officials to halt eminent domain abuse. Reason's model legislation shows how your elected officials can pass laws to protect the rights of homeowners and small business owners.

Susette Kelo and other homeowners are urging the Supreme Court to rehear their case.
Photo by Isaac Reese, 2004 © Institute for Justice

How Safe Is Your Home?
Supreme Court fails to uphold property rights

Detroit News
November 3, 2005

Blight Loophole Could Allow Cities to Grab Homes, Land
Michigan amendment won't stop eminent domain abuse
By Shikha Dalmia

For most people, urban blight means crumbling homes, abandoned offices, and toxic waste sites. But for many municipal authorities blight is anything that comes in the way of their grand redevelopment plans.

Read More at Reason.org web: http://www.reason.org/eminentdomain/

California's Left Is Eyeing Your Home
Los Angeles Times
August 14, 2005
Eminent domain is government-sanctioned bullying
By Matt Welch

… "It's like undermining motherhood and apple pie," Waters told the San Francisco Chronicle. "I mean, people's homes and their land — it's very important, and it should be protected by government, not taken for somebody else's private use." … In other words, the government won't take your property unless you refuse to sell. How comforting.

Read More at Reason.org http://www.reason.org/eminentdomain/

Homeowners Making Way for Government Bulldozers
Knight-Ridder Tribune News Service
June 27, 2005

The Supreme Court decides property rights aren't rights after all
By Samuel R. Staley, Ph.D.

You may think your home is your castle, but the Supreme Court decided it is just on loan from your friendly local government. The government can now bulldoze your home anytime it wants as long as the legally-required number of public hearings are held and politicians have some semblance of a plan for economic development on your land.

Read More at Reason.org http://www.reason.org/eminentdomain/

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