Eminent Domain...for Shopaholics
Out from Washington, D.C. this week comes troubling news. The Supreme Court recently ruled on the Kelo v. New London case out of Connecticut. Short story: The city of New London wanted to seize a group of homes, tear them down, and construct a luxury hotel, condos, and offices in its place. Of course, the homeowners did not want to leave, thus bringing to the Supreme Court a case of whether or not it is legal for local governments to condemn private property for the use of economic development.
The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the city, using the principle of eminent domain. This concept allows local governments to take over private, possibly blighted, properties in order to improve them. In the majority opinion, the Court stated that the city could pursue private development under the Fifth Amendment, which allows governments to take private properties for a public use in exchange for just compensation. The ruling this past week expands this concept of public use as equal to benefiting the general community by boosting tax revenue and improving the city's economy. The homeowners had argued that public use meant a road or a courthouse, not a private corporation.
The fight at the Supreme Court may be over, but the backlash is across the nation. This case sets a dangerous precedent for greedy economically-driven communities and private rich corporations. Local community governments who are trying to figure out new ways to increase tax revenue and community coffers may have a new avenue to explore with this recent ruling. Rich corporations who have previously been interested in towns without enough commercial zoning are taking a second look at these towns. This is all at the homeowner's expense.
Why is this important to this Shopaholic? It is because above all, our livelihoods are tied to our homes. Each homeowner should have the privilege to decide whether or not to move. How cold it is for communities to talk about tax-induced revenue when they should be talking about neighbors and the people of the community. After all, it is the people that make up a community last time I checked, not a shopping mall with the latest must-haves.
It pays to be careful where you shop. Do you agree with their business handlings? How much is spending a penny worth to you?
Some links for further reading:
The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the city, using the principle of eminent domain. This concept allows local governments to take over private, possibly blighted, properties in order to improve them. In the majority opinion, the Court stated that the city could pursue private development under the Fifth Amendment, which allows governments to take private properties for a public use in exchange for just compensation. The ruling this past week expands this concept of public use as equal to benefiting the general community by boosting tax revenue and improving the city's economy. The homeowners had argued that public use meant a road or a courthouse, not a private corporation.
The fight at the Supreme Court may be over, but the backlash is across the nation. This case sets a dangerous precedent for greedy economically-driven communities and private rich corporations. Local community governments who are trying to figure out new ways to increase tax revenue and community coffers may have a new avenue to explore with this recent ruling. Rich corporations who have previously been interested in towns without enough commercial zoning are taking a second look at these towns. This is all at the homeowner's expense.
Why is this important to this Shopaholic? It is because above all, our livelihoods are tied to our homes. Each homeowner should have the privilege to decide whether or not to move. How cold it is for communities to talk about tax-induced revenue when they should be talking about neighbors and the people of the community. After all, it is the people that make up a community last time I checked, not a shopping mall with the latest must-haves.
It pays to be careful where you shop. Do you agree with their business handlings? How much is spending a penny worth to you?
Some links for further reading:
- Case Background
- Supreme Court Majority Opinion
- Case Summary in law terms
- Case Summary in laymen's terms
- What this means for economic development
Labels: economic development, eminent domain, kelo v new london
posted by Cherie at 14:07
1 Comments:
I think you need to stop shopping at WalMart then, you plebian!
Post a Comment
<< Home