Where do locals stand on eminent domain for private use?

In response to an unpopular U.S. Supreme Court decision, lawmakers in Topeka and Washington, D.C., are rushing to shore up property rights against the use of eminent domain for economic development. But where do local officials stand on this most local of issues? For its part, the Hays City Commission unanimously approved an ordinance ensuring it can’t use eminent domain for other than public purposes. Especially after this power was used in the case of one WaterWalk property, it makes you wonder whether officials in Wichita and Sedgwick County could support such a self-restriction — and hope that it will become an issue in the next set of municipal and county elections.
Posted by Rhonda Holman

4 Comments

  1. Jed
    Posted December 1, 2005 at 11:39 am | Permalink

    The court said, in essence, that this was an issue for state and local governments to deal with. So, lets deal with it! Start a petition for a state constitutional amendment limiting eminent domain to public works, and let every lawmaker on the state and local levels that if they don’t actively support it, they can be replaced. Follow it up with your votes! This is the most genuine grassroots issue to come along in ages. You have nothing to lose but your houses!

  2. dr
    Posted December 1, 2005 at 12:35 pm | Permalink

    I contacted my legislator and he said it is in draft. At the state level I WILL be voting on this single solitary issue. And I will be voting against and encouraging others to vote against all current city and county officials out who do not publicly state thier opposition to seizure for the basis of turnover to private party.

    Pay attention! This is all I will be voting on at the local and state level next time around

  3. Todd
    Posted December 2, 2005 at 10:01 am | Permalink

    Eminent domain for ANY reason should be constitutionally banned.

  4. Jed
    Posted December 2, 2005 at 3:56 pm | Permalink

    Todd,Eminent domain has a reasonable purpose. Think, for instance, how impossible a reasonably straight road from one point to another would become without it. However, the use of it to turn peoples’ homes over to developers for their own profit is unconscionable, should be outlawed, and the developers who proposed it lynched!