{DE} State legislators seek to protect property rights (Wmgtn Post-Gazette)

[eppur_se_muova]

Two state representatives say they’ll be working over the next several months on legislation to protect the property rights of all Delawareans.

State representatives Greg Hastings, R-Millsboro, and Dennis Williams, D-Wilmington, recently announced a cooperative effort that’ll use the resources of the Institute for Justice, the Delaware Bar Association and the state House of Representatives to craft a bill to shield private property owners from unwarranted governmental takings.

The issue has most recently surfaced in Wilmington, where city officials have threatened to use their power of eminent domain to seize as many as 62 properties as part of the next phase of the South Walnut Street Urban Renewal Plan. As many as 38 working businesses could be displaced if their properties are condemned by the city. Under the plan, the land would then be sold to private developers for use in high-end residential and commercial projects.

“A lot of people see this as a Wilmington matter, but it’s not,” Hastings said. “This is an issue that cuts across the divides of party ideology and geography. Here you have an upstate and downstate lawmaker - one Republican and one Democrat - standing side by side because we both realize this is an issue of right and wrong. The ability to own property, and the self-determination to do with it as you see fit, are among our most basic of rights. Citizens should not have to fear that their land will be taken because government officials believe it can be put to a more lucrative use by someone else.”

“Government entities should negotiate fairly, where all affected parties come to the table together acting in good faith,” said Williams, who has been an outspoken critic of the city’s threatened use of eminent domain in the Southbridge area. “The current situation is unacceptable. I look forward to re-addressing this matter in January with strong bipartisan support.”
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more: http://www.capegazette.com/storiescurrent/200709/propertyrights091807.html

This was a very hot topic following the June 2005 SCOTUS ruling in Kelo v. City of New London.

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