It’s been almost a year since the Supreme Court decided in Kelo v. New London that bureaucrats may seize homes and businesses through eminent domain and transfer the land to private developers in the name of economic progress. Although the Constitution says government may only condemn land for “public use,” the court held that this term means the same thing as “public purpose” or “public benefit.” Thus whenever a city council thinks it would benefit the public to snatch a house or small business and give it to Costco or Home Depot or any other company, they may do so, and courts will not intervene.
Americans reacted with outrage to the decision, and urged state officials to pass laws protecting them from eminent domain. But so far this backlash has achieved mixed results.
Americans reacted with outrage to the decision, and urged state officials to pass laws protecting them from eminent domain. But so far this backlash has achieved mixed results.
