Virginians will decide at the polls this fall if the state Constitution should be amended to make it harder for government to seize property by eminent domain.
Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (Cliff Owen – Associated Press) Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R) this week signed legislation calling for the November referendum.
The measure was inspired by a 2005 U.S. Supreme Court case that upheld the right of governments to take private property for economic development projects.
The legislation passed the House and Senate last year. It came before the General Assembly again this year because in order to amend Virginia’s Constitution, the proposed change must pass the General Assembly twice, with an election in between. Then, it must be approved by voters through referendum.
Nothing got people’s hackles up like the Eminent Domain Supreme Court case decided back in 2005. The very idea that the government can seize someone’s property. Although the moderates and liberals were fairly outraged, not one did the mad thing like the conservatives. What I find interesting is that those calling for the City of Manassas to seize the property in Georgetown South and at 9500 Liberty Street seem come from the conservative wings of the City.
I suppose it all depends on the language of this proposed amendment. I remember back when the interstates went through Virginia. If the state wanted your land, they took it, paid you what they thought it was worth and that was the end of that. Public good. The State certainly should have to work hard to take your land. I expect I will vote for the amendment but all depends on the language.
What will you do? Is it a shoe-in since this year is a presidential election?
