By Antonio D. French
Filed Thursday, April 20, 2006 at 9:16 AM
A group of citizens opposed to the misuse of the government's eminent domain powers is opposing a bill recently perfected by the State House. Labels: Development
In a letter sent this week to members of the Missouri General Assembly, the Missouri Eminent Domain Abuse Coalition (MEDAC) said it is opposed to the passage of House Bill 1944.
"After careful review of House Bill No. 1944, we have concluded that our coalition of Missouri citizens is opposed to the passage of this bill by your assembly," MEDAC said. "It is MEDAC’s stance that passage of this bill legitimizes the current abuses perpetuated by our local municipalities, allowing them to continue 'business as usual'."
MEDAC pointed to several provisions of the bill which seem to reaffirm local municipalities' right to take private property.
One section reads: "An urban redevelopment corporation operating pursuant to a redevelopment agreement with a municipality for a particular redevelopment area, which agreement was executed prior to August 31, 2006, shall have the right to acquire by the exercise of the power of eminent domain any real property…"
"These practices are precisely the manner in which properties are obtained today and account for one of the primary abuses of the use of eminent domain," said MEDAC.
Related Videos:
VIDEO: Geisman on Eminent Domain
VIDEO: Jim Roos on Eminent Domain
VIDEO: Eminent Domain and the Airport
These videos can also be seen here. (Note: you need QuickTime installed on your computer. It's free.)
1 Comments:
Though the bill falls short of all the needed reforms, is no reform better than at least partial, incremental steps? At least the current bill prohibits farmland from being blighted and discourages redevelopment solely for economic development.
I think the opponents are just wanting to steal the spotlight for the proposed constitutional amendment. If too much of the public feels that the issue has already been addressed in legislation, then folks will be less likely to sign the needed petitions for a November vote.
4/20/2006 9:48 AM
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