Category: Eminent domain
Eminent domain abuse, then economic failure
The Cato Institute has a new video that details the history of Kelo v. City of New London, in which Suzette Kelo’s house was taken from her using eminent domain and given to a private developer for purposes of economic development. “As it happens, the space where Kelo’s house and others once stood is still…
The taking of private property
Eminent domain is not the only way that private property can be acquired by government. Placing restrictions on the land by law or regulation can also be a taking that warrants just compensation.
Terrible Blighted Property
The link below from Castle Coalition shows some properties that have been declared as blighted by local governments, so that the local government can condemn the property and take it from its owner under the process of eminent domain. Judge for yourself as to whether these properties are, indeed, blight. http://www.castlecoalition.org/CastleWatch/bogusblight/index.html
Eminent Doman and the Downtown Wichita Arena
On August 25, 2004 and prior to the arena vote in November of that year, I presented testimony before this Commission questioning the wisdom of building a downtown arena without knowing the exact location of the parcel(s) of land the project would be located on. I asked the questions, does the Commission know the exact…
Eminent domain testimony
You should not allow cities, counties and state agencies the power through eminent domain to force someone to involuntarily sell their home, their business, or their farm so they can give it to other private owners for their own private use. Under redevelopment law, city councils can essentially become the agent for the powerful, politically…
John Todd on Eminent Domain in Kansas
I support the proposition to amend article 15 of the constitution of the state of Kansas by adding a new section thereto, concerning eminent domain as follows: “Private property shall not be taken except for public use, and private property shall not be taken without just compensation. The taking of private property with the intent…