Extensive discussion on the NGDF about the recent Supreme Court decision, allowing eminent domain to be used by municipalities to acquire private properties, to be handed over to private developers, with whom officials may be in collusion, ostensibly to improve tax income:http://www.ngdiscussion.net/cgi-bin/NGDFcook.pl?read=61323With some technical explanation from John Craft, that says the media did not get the whole story right:http://www.ngdiscussion.net/cgi-bin/NGDFcook.pl?read=61355

And, I would submit, not relevant to this forum. Please make any remarks on the topic over in the thread at NGDF.

I'll just restate, if you believe that Eminent Domain is abused, this decision is not the one to be disturbed about. That decision was made in 1954. The Court's position is clear - it leaves the definition of "public use" to each state, and is willing to review takings that might be illegal under that definition. In fact, there was an ED battle here in Georgia this year. SB 5 would have made ED powers available to private developers in public projects. In other words, the developer himself, not an entity of government, would be making condemnation decisions. It died under a firestorm of criticism and accusations of cronyism. SB 86 was introduced as a reaction to the storm, and would prevent a New London-style taking. So if you want to see Eminent Domain restricted, make your case to your state legislators. JAC

OK, folks, carry on merrily at the NGDF with further comments... since there is another forum offering to host this conversation I would rather we keep it there.http://www.ngdiscussion.net/