Supreme Ct: Govts can seize homes, bus for econ dev (Thread #2)

[UpInArms]

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/newsfinder/pulseone.asp?dateid=38526.4403289236-837180966&siteID=mktw&scid=0&doctype=806&

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that local governments can seize people's homes and businesses against their will for private economic development.

...very short blurb...

adding NYTs article on edit:

Justices Back Seizing Homes for Economic Development

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/23/politics/23wire-scotus.html?hp&ex=1119585600&en=5036788eb4cc9d17&ei=5094&partner=homepage

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that local governments may seize people's homes and businesses -- even against their will -- for private economic development.

It was a decision fraught with huge implications for a country with many areas, particularly the rapidly growing urban and suburban areas, facing countervailing pressures of development and property ownership rights.

The 5-4 ruling represented a defeat for some Connecticut residents whose homes are slated for destruction to make room for an office complex. They argued that cities have no right to take their land except for projects with a clear public use, such as roads or schools, or to revitalize blighted areas.

As a result, cities now have wide power to bulldoze residences for projects such as shopping malls and hotel complexes in order to generate tax revenue.

...still a very short blurb...

Original Thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1574059&mesg_id=1574059

(Note to Mods: As the original thread now is approaching 300 posts - less than 6 hours after the original post was made, I thought perhaps it might be less unwieldy for dial-up users if a second thread was started with this topic. Your discretion and judgment is always appreciated.)