This is more than just a little disturbing to me..... The abuses of Eminent Domain continue..
Homes may be 'taken' for private projects Justices: Local governments can give OK if it's for public good Excerpts from the article... WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that local governments may seize people's homes and businesses - even against their will - for private economic development. It was a decision fraught with huge implications for a country with many areas, particularly the rapidly growing urban and suburban areas, facing countervailing pressures of development and property ownership rights. As a result, cities now have wide power to bulldoze residences for projects such as shopping malls and hotel complexes in order to generate tax revenue. The 5-4 ruling - assailed by dissenting Justice Sandra Day O'Connor as handing "disproportionate influence and power" to the well-heeled - represented a defeat for some Connecticut residents whose homes are slated for destruction to make room for an office complex. O'Connor, who has been a key swing vote on many cases before the court, issued a stinging dissent. She argued that cities should not have unlimited authority to uproot families, even if they are provided compensation, simply to accommodate wealthy developers. "Any property may now be taken for the benefit of another private party, but the fallout from this decision will not be random," O'Connor wrote. "The beneficiaries are likely to be those citizens with disproportionate influence and power in the political process, including large corporations and development firms." Complete article... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8331097/ _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
