Eminent Domain Widely Abused

A report claims that 10,000 properties have been seized by cities for private developers.

1 minute read

May 9, 2003, 5:00 AM PDT

"The Constitution does give local governments the right to condemn property through eminent domain for "public use" if the owner is compensated. But in the past five years, both state and local governments have taken or threatened to take more than 10,000 homes and small businesses such as Brody's to turn them over to private developers, according to a report compiled by the Institute for Justice, a nonprofit advocacy law firm in Washington. The local governments contend they're creating bigger tax bases and more jobs to help the local economy. That's the 'public use.' But to critics it's an unconstitutional abuse."

Thanks to Chris Steins

FULL STORY: Eminent domain and private gain

Friday, May 9, 2003 in The Christian Science Monitor

Land Use United States

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