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November 3, 2005
Connecticut Lawmakers Back House Eminent Domain Bill
AP, via The Day
by Andrew Miga
The House bill that would slash federal funding for municipal projects that use eminent domain for economic development purposes, moved from committee and is slated for a vote on Tuesday.
The House appeared set to approve the plan, which has united many liberals and conservatives on Capitol Hill, by a sweeping margin.
The legislation, which passed the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday 27-3, arose from the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Kelo vs. New London, Conn., last June. The ruling paved the way for municipalities to seize homes or businesses and turn them over to private developers if such projects would boost community economic development.
NoLandGrab: It looks like this bill won't apply to Ratner's Atlantic Yards, since Ratner is poised to make the claim that the neighborhood is "blighted."
If New Yorkers want meaningful protection from eminent domain abuse, the NY State Legislature must strengthen the definition of "blight." Under the current definition, any neighborhood in NYC could be deemed "blighted."
Posted by lumi at November 3, 2005 8:08 AM