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October 5, 2006
Topping 2006 ballots: eminent domain
In November, 12 states have initiatives on the ballot that seek to protect private property against seizure and regulation.
The Christian Science Monitor
By Ben Arnoldy
A backlash among voters this November against an unpopular Supreme Court decision on eminent domain could dramatically curtail the ability of officials to manage growth and development in parts of the western United States.
Libertarian activists, tapping into voter anger as well as outside money, have helped propel property rights referendums onto 12 state ballots - making it the single biggest ballot issue this November.
Most of the measures aim to overrule a 2005 US Supreme Court decision that homes can be seized and handed over to private developers. But in some Western states, the eminent domain issue is coupled with other far reaching provisions that would force governments to pay landowners when regulations harm property values.
NoLandGrab: Much has been made about how the issue of eminent domain abuse brings together groups across the political spectrum. This is true to an extent, as many liberals are realizing that eminent domain disproportionately affects lower-income and politically disenfranchised neighborhoods.
This article describes a scenario in which liberals have continued to seek an expanded definition of "public use," while conservatives are seeking greater compensation for the property owners who are shouldering the burden of the "public good."
Posted by lumi at October 5, 2006 6:25 AM