RALEIGH – The N.C. Property Rights Coalition has published the N.C. Property Rights Voter Guide, Chairman Kieran Shanahan has announced. The voter guide, which lists candidates’ positions on a potential state constitutional amendment to prevent eminent domain abuse, is posted online at www.ncpropertyrights.com.

“The legislature had the opportunity to provide North Carolina’s property owners with real protection during the recent short session,” Shanahan said. “Unfortunately, their efforts fell far short. Instead of allowing the people to vote on a constitutional amendment that would stand the test of time, the legislature passed a law that can easily be undone by the whims of a future legislature.”

From FOX News: Developers Consider Suing Florida City for Not Using Eminent Domain Powers

RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. — The builders of a multibillion-dollar redevelopment project are considering legal action against the state and city after being told eminent domain powers will not be used to seize property to make way for the plan.

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Anger Drives Property Rights Measures

PICABO, Idaho — Cheeks chapped, patience thinned, Katie Breckenridge had no trouble making up her mind about an Idaho ballot measure that would make the government pay property owners if zoning rules reduce the value of their land.

“Do I think this is almost swinging the pendulum back too far in the other direction? I do,” said Ms. Breckenridge, 61, a rancher just in from tending to cattle and quarter horses. “But do I think we’ve got to do something to bring the balance back to property rights? I do, and I’m going to vote for it.”

With the November 7 elections right around the corner, it is important to know where the candidates for North Carolina House and North Carolina Senate stand when it comes to protecting your private property rights. On September 29, we mailed a brief survey to every legislative candidate in North Carolina. This brief survey asks candidates whether they support a constitutional amendment prohibiting government from using eminent domain for economic development purposes. The results of our 2006 legislative candidates’ survey will be posted shortly.

From The Detroit News:

It’s hard to imagine that a city would prevent a legitimate place of worship from occupying a building in the United States — a country founded in large part on the promise of religious tolerance. Yet, that is happening now in Metro Detroit.

In fact, the federal government recently intervened on behalf of Lighthouse Community Church of God in a dispute with the city of Southfield over a building purchased by the church to house its congregation and host religious services. A decision by the federal court in Detroit is pending.

From Stateline.org: “…property rights is the hottest new topic on state ballots this election year, cropping up in 13 states…”

Unfortunately, North Carolina is not one of those 13 states. Our state’s legislative leadership killed a proposed amendment to prevent eminent domain abuse, sending it to a committee to die. Instead of taking the steps to give property owners protection that will stand the test of time, the legislature passed a bill that can easily be undone by a future legislature.

Click here to sign our petition calling for an amendment to the state constitution prohibiting governmental bodies from using eminent domain for economic development purposes.

From TownHall.com:

Some judges are getting the message. On July 26, 2006, the Ohio Supreme Court handed down a stunning unanimous decision against a $125 million development project in a Cincinnati suburb. This case, City of Norwood v. Horney, illustrates how abusive eminent domain seizures are motivated by local governments seeking new sources of revenue.

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In this column from TownHall.com, Thomas Sowell opines on the city of Riviera Beach, Florida’s use of eminent domain. He has this to say: “The rich have learned to adapt socialist policies to their own benefit. For example, the city of Riviera Beach, Florida, is planning to demolish a working class neighborhood under its power of eminent domain, in order to prepare the way for a marina for yachts, luxury condominiums and an upscale shopping district.”

Sowell goes on to dub Riviera Beach’s approach “socialism for the rich.”

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