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States 5th right for taking your land

Cougar

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It will be interesting to see how the Supreme Court decision on the City of New London case will play out over the next couple of years.

Will their 'economic development plan' hold up in this emminent domain cas
 
Personally, I think the Supreme Court was wrong on this issue. I also believe that state, county, and city governments will take advantage of
this ruling and truly rip off the average land owner.
 
They have been doing that for years through property taxes, swampkritter. Just another way to put the screws to people who don't have the money to fight it.
 
Squawker said:
They have been doing that for years through property taxes, swampkritter. Just another way to put the screws to people who don't have the money to fight it.

Property taxes are a little different. They are paid to the county government for upkeep on roads, schools and other things. In this case, they can now take your property and give it to a private developer for a mall or other commercial venture supposedly for the greater public good. This is wrong. Of course, inflated property taxes are wrong too.
 
Actually a mall might not stand up in court... however, the City is using parcels of the 90 acre plot to develop commercially (next to the new Pfizer plant I believe).

They are building parking lots, condos and a community center. Apparently, this was enough to hold up in the Supreme Court. I am not comfortable with the decision as well b/c of the future implications and possible abuse. However, the Court can not rule on future possiblities or speculation.

Basically, we are going to now see a lot of court cases similar to this one in the coming years. States and localities are going to try and put 'air tight' economic development plans together assuming each case is going straight to the High Court. One can only hope that each person is justly compensated.
 
Cougar said:
Actually a mall might not stand up in court... however, the City is using parcels of the 90 acre plot to develop commercially (next to the new Pfizer plant I believe).

They are building parking lots, condos and a community center. Apparently, this was enough to hold up in the Supreme Court. I am not comfortable with the decision as well b/c of the future implications and possible abuse. However, the Court can not rule on future possiblities or speculation.

Basically, we are going to now see a lot of court cases similar to this one in the coming years. States and localities are going to try and put 'air tight' economic development plans together assuming each case is going straight to the High Court. One can only hope that each person is justly compensated.

All a city or county government has to do to reduce the amount of money they pay for a piece of property they steal is to declare it a blight on the community and condemn it. The value of the property drops dramatically and the local government buys it for next to nothing.
 
Well, now is the time to put pressure on local politicians. Talk to the people in your city, county, burrough, state et al. Tell them that you want laws to prevent emminent domain from happening (unless under emergency).

The Supreme Court's ruling hands the power back to the local authorities.
 
Just after I submitted that, I find an article that supports my position:
Home seizure ruling doesn't play in Texas
After decision, an amendment is quickly proposed to limit powers of eminent domain


Hours after the court's 5-4 ruling came down, Rep. Frank Corte Jr., R-San Antonio, said he would seek "to defend the rights of property owners in Texas" by proposing a state constitutional amendment limiting local powers of eminent domain, or condemnation.

Houston Mayor Bill White and Harris County Judge Robert Eckels offered assurances that the city and county do not intend to condemn land for private development projects.

But officials in the beachfront town of Freeport, south of Houston, said they would move aggressively to condemn property owned by two seafood companies to clear the way for an $8 million private marina.
 
I sent letters off to everyone I could think of. We have a morning talk show that I am able to listen to and I was amazed by the stories of cases where this has been happening right along. Now that the Superior Court gives it legitimacy, the abuse will be even worse.
 
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