Eminent Domain

It takes a powerful political issue to pull Reps. Tom DeLay and Maxine Waters onto the same side. In ruling that governments may force homeowners to sell their property for private development, the Supreme Court has created one.
From the Realestatejournal. This is good news; states are motivated and motivating to minimize or negate the impact that the SCOTUS’ ruling will have on localities’ ability to seize private property. Rob Bell said the other day on WINA (no longer available) that he expects the General Assembly will take some sort of action to counter the ruling.
Texas is equally motivated. Inflamed by what it sees as a judicial assault on property rights, a Texas House committee unanimously adopted a proposed constitutional amendment Tuesday that would limit when governments could seize private property. … States can set stricter eminent domain laws than what the Supreme Court deems permissible. Corte and many other Texas lawmakers vow to tighten state law to do just that. Corte’s constitutional amendment would bar state and local governments from seizing property from one owner and then turning it over to another owner.
Locally, Gary Grant, candidate for Albemarle County’s Board of Supervisors, has pledged (no longer available) to fight eminent domain abuses. Something for you local voters to consider when you go to the polls this November.