Posted on 04/05/2006 11:19:18 AM PDT by Jarhead1957
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Henry Bonilla (R-TX-23) has issued a strong response to the U.S. Supreme Court's split decision on eminent domain. Bonilla has introduced bipartisan legislation that will penalize eminent domain abuses. The U.S. House of Representatives today overwhelmingly approved Bonilla's legislation.
Bonilla's legislation is in response to a June 2005 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allows governments to use eminent domain to take away private property. Governments can then transfer the private property to someone else for their private gain. Bonilla believes this decision turns the concepts of eminent domain and private property rights "on their head."
"Congressman Bonilla was the original author of this important property rights bill. We could not have succeeded without his leadership," Bob Stallman, president of the American Farm Bureau.
"The Supreme Court's eminent domain ruling places the American Dream in jeopardy. Governments should not be able to bulldoze a person's home or business to benefit other individuals," said Bonilla. "My legislation will go straight to the money and hit them where it hurts. This bill will force governments to think twice before abusing eminent domain."
The Private Property Rights Protection Act of 2005, H.R. 4128, will prevent governments from taking property from one private party and giving it to another private party. When abuses occur, the Act will prevent localities and states from receiving federal economic assistance on ALL economic development projects, not just those upon which abuses occur. Today's legislation is a mirror of Bonilla's original bill, the Strengthening the Ownership of Private Property (STOPP) Act, HR 3405.
"The most important difference between my legislation and others offered is that we are penalizing ALL economic development projects, not just those upon which abuses occur. By subjecting all projects to penalties, we are removing a loophole that localities can exploit by playing a funding 'shell game' with projects," said Bonilla.
Bonilla's legislation is co-sponsored by more than 50 Members of Congress, including Reps. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Chairman of the Agriculture Committee, James Sensenbrenner (R-WI), Chairman of the Judicial Committee, Richard Pombo (R-CA), Chairman of the Resources Committee and Maxine Waters (D-CA), senior member of the Judiciary Committee.
"The Kelo decision effectively erases any protection of private property as understood by the Founders of our Nation," said Bonilla. "I'm proud to have so many Members of Congress from both sides of the political aisle standing by my side as we overturn this flawed decision."
Bonilla is a long-time advocate of private property rights. He represents one of the largest districts in the nation, which includes more than 700 miles of the Texas-Mexico border. Bonilla currently serves a Chairman of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee.
And Maxine Waters as a co-sponsor. Hell just called, it's snowing down there.
Dead On Arrival, unfortunately.
Down here we don't look a gift horse in the mouth. Anything that would stops Eminent Domain abuse is great.
With a red face I ask, Is this old news? It was dated taday.
This was sent to me dated today, it is old!!! news.
**Hell just called, it's snowing down there.**
ROFLMAO!
Yes, this is old news, over 5 months ago. The House passed this in Nov.
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