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July 8, 2005
Eminent-Domain Ruling Knits Rivals
The Wall Street Journal
by Joi Preciphs
Nationwide backlash to the eminent domain ruling is causing Congress to act.
The conservative Republican from Texas and liberal Democrat from California have joined in pushing back against the court's ruling on the government's power of eminent domain. Mr. DeLay sees a broad threat to private-property rights, while Ms. Waters sees trouble for minority neighborhoods that have often lost out in urban redevelopment battles.
That left-right combination resulted in a 231-189 House vote last week to strike back. In an amendment to an appropriations bill, the House said it would bar cities and states from using Treasury Department, Transportation and Housing and Urban Development funds on commercial projects that use eminent domain to acquire land.
In the Senate, Republican John Cornyn of Texas has introduced similar legislation. Seventeen fellow Republicans and Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida are co-sponsors.
NoLandGrab: If Congress passes this bill, that will mean NO FEDERAL MONEY FOR RATNER, should he win the MTA bid.
Posted by lumi at July 8, 2005 6:51 PM