Supreme Court examines limits of city's eminent domain powers

Striking an unusual populist tone, the Supreme Court appeared divided Tuesday over whether city officials in Connecticut have the authority to seize homes in a working-class neighborhood and turn the property over to private developers.

The court heard arguments on the limits of eminent domain, the legal principle under which a government can condemn and seize a person's property and convert it to a greater "public use."

http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/02/22/scotus.eminent.domain

... and on Susette Kelo's side. This will determine the future of private property rights in this country.

I can only wonder if * is hoping the court will side with New London.

Eminent domain was created for things that really were in the public's interest, like roads, schools, and municipal buildings. There's no way the laws were intended to deprive people of their homes to fatten corporations.

It will be very interesting to read the ruling and the dissent.

If someone purchased and paid off a piece of property 30 years ago, let's just say, a four bedroom, 2.5 bath house on an acre of land, then they need more than just a "fair price" on the value of the property.

To replace that property in today's market in a similar neighborhood at "fair value" would have a considerable deterrant effect. Addressing the concept of fair value means talking about replacement value of the property.

If someone merely reimburses me for the cost of the property but not the equal cost of relocating and I absorb the difference in the form of a new mortgage and other expenses, I am in effect paying a highly regressive tax to the city so that they can have their public works project.

but how the fuck can they (the Supremes) be divided??? And just how the hell did this get out of the STATE Supreme court? Does this mean that states don't have to honor property rights? Then fuck 'em...if they don't honor your rights to your property you should not have to pay taxes on them because you don't OWN it...you are only renting it...

This isn't about building a road or a school...this is about kicking people off of their property so that the city can get a better tax return...

theProdigal

BushCo and the corporations as usual.

They want to take some private land, including the local VFW hall, and sell it to a developer who will put in a Home Depot.