Click here for State Senator Minority Leader Phil Berger’s statement, as reported by The North Carolina Conservative.

Both legislative chambers have now passed a bill aimed at preventing governments from using eminent domain authority to seize private property for economic development purposes. Unfortunately, the legislature refused to consider the only solution that will stand the test of time: an amendment to the state constitution.

State Senator Neal Hunt (R-Wake) had this to say about the legislation that passed: “A judge can still overrule the law and allow property to be taken for public purpose,” said Hunt, R-Wake. “That’s a scary thing.”

The following is the text of a letter to the editor from Kieran Shanahan, Chairman of the N.C. Property Rights Coalition (pictured at right). Kieran’s letter has appeared in numerous newspapers throughout North Carolina.

California Assemblyman Ray Haynes had this to say in a recent op/ed:

“Property rights are the keystone to liberty. For those of you who are not architects, the keystone is the part of old buildings (particularly tall ones) upon which all the structure relied. If the keystone broke or collapsed, the entire structure would collapse. Protecting the keystone, therefore, was very important to the strength and stability of those buildings.

“In the same way, property rights are the building block upon which the entire structure of liberty rests. If government does not protect property rights, all other freedoms are meaningless. How can that be, you ask?”

Reprinted with permission.

Why Political Columnists Can Grow Cynical

Every once in a while, I start to think that maybe I’m just too cynical, too quick to look for that self-serving angle when it comes to the world of politics.

Then something happens to bring me back to my senses: The rest of the world just isn’t cynical enough.

One of those moments of clarity hit a few weeks ago when the state House approved a measure that would bar local governments from using condemnation proceedings for economic development purposes.

RALEIGH – Kieran Shanahan, Chairman of the N. C. Property Rights Coalition, today commented on House Bill 1965, which is scheduled to be heard by the N.C. Senate’s Judiciary I Committee this evening.

“Sadly, House Bill 1965 does not provide North Carolinians with adequate protection against eminent domain abuse,” Shanahan said. “Legislatures change, and any protection offered by House Bill 1965 can be easily undone by the whims of a future legislature. The people of our state deserve more than this watered-down bill; they deserve constitutional protection that will stand the test of time. That’s why we need an amendment to the state constitution to protect our private property from eminent domain abuse.”

City Files Eminent Domain Against Lubbock Church

Lubbock, TX — A local pastor says his church could be forced to shut down if the city gets what it wants.

The city has been planning for years to widen 50th Street west of Slide Road to seven lanes. In order to do that, they need some land from the Faith Assembly of God Church.

Earlier this week, the city filed eminent domain proceedings, and the church congregation says it`s just not right.

The city determined the church would only lose about six-square-feet of its sanctuary in the deal, so they offered the church $250,000.

Below is the text of a letter distributed to members of the North Carolina General Assembly by the National Taxpayers’ Union (NTU). In their letter, the NTU says “Eminent domain abuse is a looming threat to North Carolina property owners, and we ask you to act now to avoid future cases of improper takings.” The letter is also posted here.

Text of the Letter:

Dear Legislator:

Dear Fellow Property Rights Supporter,

On behalf of the N.C. Property Rights Coalition, I wish you and yours a safe and happy Fourth of July.

As you celebrate our nation’s independence, please take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices our forefathers made on behalf of our great nation.

Without the sacrifices made by our nation’s founding fathers, we would not have our freedom.

Our founding fathers understood that private property is one of the cornerstones of a free society. That’s why the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution reinforces the notion of private property rights.