Posted on 09/10/2012 10:59:00 AM PDT by Gopher Broke
By Roger Chesley
The Virginian-Pilot
© September 8, 2012
Ken Cuccinelli rarely misses a chance to pontificate in front of cameras, microphones and reporters' notebooks.
So it was no surprise that the state attorney general traveled to Norfolk this week, where he assailed proposed seizures of property around Old Dominion University. Eminent domain has been one of Cuccinelli's signature issues - when he's not railing about Obamacare or global warming.
This time, at least, I agree with Cuccinelli's stance.
Eminent domain is one of the most powerful tools that governments wield over citizens. Most people understand the need to seize property to build roads, schools and other public facilities, despite the disruption it causes.
Problems arise, though, when housing authorities or other entities usurp property owners' rights by transferring land to developers for private uses. States have tried to curtail that power since the 2005 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Kelo v. City of New London.
Cuccinelli spoke Thursday at a news conference called by local attorney Joe Waldo, who represents several clients fighting the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority. The agency wants to acquire five properties for a private, mixed-use project near ODU.
Southeastern Virginia, Cuccinelli said, has been the part of the state where "the most aggressive abuses of property rights have happened."
(Excerpt) Read more at hamptonroads.com ...
VA Ping!
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And an even bigger lib columnist. I so rarely ever agree with anything Chesley says - but I did have to agree with him on this one.
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