Texas Legislature May Place Private Property Rights Question in Hands of Voters

Representative Corte Moves to Defend Private Property Rights

In response to Thursday's ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court to allow local governments to seize homes and businesses against the owner's will for economic development, Rep. Frank Corte, Jr. (San Antonio) will file a constitutional amendment in the special session to defend the rights of property owners in Texas. The legislation will limit a local governmental entity's power of eminent domain, preventing them from bulldozing residencies in favor of projects for private developers. "The power of eminent domain was never intended to be used to line the pockets of private companies," Corte remarked of the ruling.

Rep. Corte will ask the governor to add the issue to the call of the current special session, allowing the legislature to consider the matter. In order for the constitutional amendment to appear on the November ballot, it is critical that the issue be addressed without delay.

"The right to own and use property is inherent to a free society. When a government decides they know how to use private property better than the individual, private property rights cease to exist," noted Rep. Corte.

The Supreme Court case Kelo v. The City of New London involved a 1998 case where the City of New London, Connecticut condemned several private residences to allow for a redevelopment plan in conjunction with the construction of a major pharmaceutical research facility.

The legislation will limit a local governmental entity's power of eminent domain, preventing them from bulldozing residencies in favor of projects for private developers. "The power of eminent domain was never intended to be used to line the pockets of private companies," Corte remarked of the ruling.

What...... and eliminate future projects such as the following? No way

The Ballpark in Arlington
Home of the Texas Rangers

When I frist read of this decision I was very upset. But after thinking about it, I came to realize this is really is the frist ruling the court has done sence the mid fifties when they started all this socially tampering rulings that really got going in the sixties that did incourage crime and the utter destruction of the inter cities. This way if you lend to high crime in your home area you may loose your home.

Our property taxes are too high and we are going to get nailed with a huge tax increase to lower them (which won't work without appraisal rate caps) BUT that not withstanding we generally are on the right track here deep in the heart of Texas.

'This is one of those rare issues Freepers and DUer's agree on."

So rare that DUmmies and FReepers both are somewhat feeling creepy about it in many cases. It's like....they don't wanna believe, but it is that way. The postings on this have been a fun read on both sites. Now if there were just some way to join forces on this one issue to project one huge loud voice of disgust with the SCOTUS ruling. The knowledge that liberals and conservatives are BOTH mad as hell about this might shake some people up. But please....no candlelight vigils, hand holding circles and choruses of Kum-by-ya.

Great, just hope it passes what with all the city property grubbers, illegal immigrants voting, dems believing the land should be shared by all.

See what drugs do to a society - we are surrounded by idiots.

Freeport is already moving on 3 pcs. of property on the waterfront.

You need to think a little more.

This will mean that developers, council members and any that want your land will bribe council members to get it. It will mean that your total life investment in a home, can just be squashed, stolen from you and you receive nothing to even compare with the cost.

This will mean that people will move to the country away from the cities since their investment is not safe. That will mean lower tax bases, less business for the shopping centers and small stores, restaurants. The city neighborhoods will take massive hits over time with unleased buildings everywhere.

Anybody that thinks this is good for any reason - is an idiot and absolutely cares nothing at all about other people being wiped out. So, don't come along and couch this as a good thing for society. You prove you support socialism.

Oh, and nobody is going to go to the low rent areas to run those people out - it will be the prime locations of the city that they want to confiscate.

Also - they are getting the monetary benefit of the value of your land and you get nothing. So, just how is it fair for a big developer to look over a city, pick out the prime property for his own personal enrichment and run you the owner off of it?

Right - don't expect them to want the destroyed slums - they will want the best. And, they will expect the population to pay for the development rather than they that will get the riches from it - as ex. the new Cowboy Stadium and Jones is not doubt calculating what he wants right now.

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