Free Republic

NewsMax.com Wires Monday, Aug. 22, 2005 WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court, given a chance to revisit a heavily criticized ruling, refused Monday to reconsider its decision giving local governments more power to seize people's homes for economic development. So contentious was the court's narrow 5-4 ruling in the so-called eminent domain case earlier this year that some critics launched a campaign to seize Justice David Souter's farmhouse in New Hampshire to build a luxury hotel. Others singled out Justice Stephen Breyer's vacation home in the same state for use as a park. Both Souter and Breyer voted on the prevailing...

If living large means alcohol, fun in boats, and cigarettes then get ready to open your pocketbook or live a little smaller if the Senate's newly-released property tax cut plan goes into effect. First, expect an extra 30 cents on a six-pack of beer or an extra $2 or so for a bottle of liquor. There's also a tax increase on boats and any new car. House lawmakers will spare you on the beer and boats, but not so on cars and cigarettes in their plan. In fact, smokers would pay $1 more per pack under the House plan. It'll...