Posted 7/17/05
Recently the U. S. Surpreme Court ruled in the case of Kelo et al v. City of New London, that governmental agencies may use eminent domain for economic development purposes even if the property in question isn't blighted.
Why does the government believe that if the economy needs stimulating, it needs to be given the right to tear down citizens' homes, seize their property and/or give that real estate over to a developer to build upon?
The city of Mesquite has not needed such power in the past, and Mayor Anderson dosen't forsee a need for it in the future.
Then why should the citizens of Texas live with the possibility that their houses could be taken by a local city council; and a mall, a movie theatre, a restaurant, of whatever be built on the site of their former home, just so the city could increase tax revenue?
I think it's wrong, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks that way.
That is why I'm happy to hear that State legislators, including State Sen. Bob Deuell, have introduced legislation targeted to amend the Texas Constitution to prevent such actions.
Now Gov. Perry has added Property Rights to the current special session. Protecting landowners from having their property seized by a government entity for a private development.
The hope is to have a proposed constitutional amendment to the Texas constitution to be on the November ballot.
We the citizens, should let our elected officals know that the use of eminent domain under the Supreme Court ruling could be abused, and that limits should be applied to prohibit its misuse.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Sincerely,
Sergio Garcia