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Archive | Eminent Domain Abuse

June 19, 2013

Constitution Subcommittee Approves Bill to Protect Private Property Rights

On June 4, 2013, the United States Congressional Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice approved legislation to prohibit state and local governments that receive federal economic development funds from using eminent domain to transfer private property from one private owner to another for the purpose of economic development. The legislation is named the Private Property Rights Protection Act (H.R. 1944) is available here and is a direct response to the 2005 Supreme Court case Kelo v. City of New London, which gave local governments broad authority to seize private… read more

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Posted in Challenging condemnation, Condemnation Procedures, Eminent Domain Abuse, Future of the law, Legislation
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March 28, 2013

Jersey Waterfront Owners to be Publicly Shamed if They Refuse to Voluntarily Allow Easements

Governor Chris Christie made news on Tuesday when he announced publicly at a town hall-style event in Middlesex Borough that if property owners along the Jersey Shore do not sign the voluntary easement agreements to allow the construction of sand dunes on their property, he was going to start naming them publicly. Specifically, Governor Christie said he would start “calling these folks out in the new few weeks if they haven’t signed the easements to let us build the dunes because they need to be called out and they need to be told that there is something more… read more

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Posted in Eminent Domain Abuse, Uncategorized
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February 5, 2013

N.C. Bill Seeks to Limit Impact of Kelo Decision

N.C. Rep. Chuck McGrrady introduced legislation this week to amend the North Carolina State Constitution to limit the government’s condemnation powers, specifically prohibiting condemnation of private property except for public use, and providing for the right to just compensation and a trial by jury in all condemnation cases. The bill is a direct response to the U.S. Supreme Court Decision in Kelo v. New London, Conn. (2005) which liberalized the  test for eminent domain, providing that the government may force the sale of property if it was for a”public purpose” or “public benefit.” According to… read more

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Posted in Eminent Domain, Eminent Domain Abuse, Legislation
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Use of Eminent Domain Expected to Spike as America Becomes More Energy Independent

When you voted “yes” or “no” in this past year’s election you probably weren’t thinking too heavily about eminent domain (unless you were in Virginia!). But it turns out that America’s push towards energy independence will come at the expense of property owners nationwide. According to blumberg.com, the natural gas industry estimates that 450,000 miles of pipelines will need to be built in the next 25 years in order to accommodate America’s energy needs. As an example, in order to provide the eastern half of the United States alone with 20% of… read more

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Posted in Eminent Domain, Eminent Domain Abuse, Energy Companies
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