Messing with Texas
Gov. Rick Perry ceremonially signed a new property rights law Monday in Waco, saying Texas will protect homeowners from losing land to private economic development projects.
The law, which the Legislature passed in August in response to a controversial June U.S. Supreme Court decision, restricts a governmental body’s power of eminent domain to seize private property.
“We believe government should not encroach upon the private property rights unless there is an eminent public need,” Perry said. “Eminent domain for public use is a necessary power. Eminent domain for private use is a great threat.”
Saying he and the Legislature attempted “to close a door the Supreme Court jarred open,” Perry received a standing ovation from more than 60 people at the Waco Association of Realtors office, which supported the legislation.
October 25th, 2005 at 11:49 am
There is hope for the Republicans yet. Especially since I predict there will not be a single Democrat governor signing similar legislation between now and November 2006.
October 25th, 2005 at 11:51 pm
Yeah, and if I undestand the bill right, this is going to be a serious problem for the city of Arlington (future home of the Dallas Cowboys, as soon as they can use Kelo as a bludgeon to lowball about 500 homeowners — oh, wait, OOPS!)
I bet Jerry Jones is frowning so hard he’ll stretch his face again and have to tighten that nut on the back of his head some more.
October 29th, 2005 at 3:18 pm
No, Perry has stated that the new Cowboys stadium is “in the public good” and therefore can still use eminent domain, and is not restricted under this law.
http://www.kcentv.com/news/c-article.php?cid=1&nid=8325
It will probably have to be hashed out in court, and the way things go when the Cowpunks are involved, they will win and anyone in their way will lose.