JURIST - Paper Chase: Connecticut legislature approves eminent domain restrictions in wake of Kelo battle

[JURIST] The Connecticut House of Representatives approved a bill [materials] Saturday night that prohibits the state from from taking property solely to boost property taxes. The measure, approved by the state Senate last week, reflects a compromise between the state and its homeowners after a years-long property rights battle. In June 2005, Susan Kelo took her eminent domain [JURIST news archive] case to the US Supreme Court [official website] after the Connecticut city of New London seized her property for private redevelopment. The Court ruled [opinion text] in favor of New London, holding that the city could expropriate private property for private redevelopment [JURIST report] when the taking would economically benefit the community.

Voters in nine US states [JURIST report] reacted strongly against the Supreme Court's decision by approving ballot initiatives in last year's mid-term elections that restrict the use of eminent domain. The Connecticut measure requires a public hearing and the approval of the municipal legislative body before the taking of private property can occur. It also requires that homeowners be compensated for 125 percent of the average value of the property. AP has more.

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