[AZRepublican]

My assertion is that the historical record suggests that the authority of eminent domain, as practiced by New London, is a novel assertion of an authority. I challenge you to demonstrate that the authority of eminent domain had ever been recognized as the ability to take over land merely on the basis that another potential landowner might generate more tax revenue.

No more recognized than the authority under the Commerce Clause being recognized as giving the feds exclusive jurisdiction over a family picnic....but that has never stoped the Fed govt. from doing what they have been forbidden from constitutionally doing.

The Arizona Constitution contains the very strongest protection of private property rights in the nation. Arizona allows governments to condemn private property only for clearly defined public purposes, such as roadways and police stations, or certain very specific private purposes, such as a right of way or a drain. As written, that constitution gives Arizona property owners complete security against arbitrary condemnation and seizure by local governments.

Thus, taking of private property for the reason to generate more property tax is not a right recognized under the AZ Constitution.

[donbosco74]

Ever hear of SCOTUS? Your state constitution is a sitting duck for revision when the big boys get involved. Arizona might be a hold out, but it would have to secede from the nation before it could adequately safeguard this property rights issue. And as a landlocked area, it would simply get cut off from the rest of the world.