May 24, 2007
Eminent domain measure unveiled
Sacramento Bee
By John Hill
California governments would no longer be able to take homes for use in a private development, according to changes in eminent domain law proposed by an assemblyman this morning.
But critics say the constitutional amendment and bill by Assemblyman Hector De La Torre, D-South Gate, don't go nearly far enough to protect property owners from eminent domain abuses.
"No longer in California would the government be able to take your home and give it to a private developer," De La Torre said at a morning press conference at the Capitol.
De La Torre's Assembly Constitutional Amendment 8 would also prohibit governments from seizing a small business for a private development, unless it was part of a plan to get rid of blight and the business was given the chance to take part.
De La Torre conceded that his plan would not rule out all use of eminent domain for use in private developments.
"In government, sometimes you need to use redevelopment," he said.
Posted by lumi at May 24, 2007 9:27 PM