As Jim Nielson points out his column in today, two years after the Kelo decision California has not made any serious change in its statewide eminent domain policy.  However, there is a bright light in our state’s political leadership when it comes to eminent domain.  This month, the Institute for Justice, a national leader in the effort to fight government’s abuse of this takings law, published a paper, "Development without Eminent Domain:  Foundation of Freedom Inspires Urban Growth," written by Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle.  In this paper, Pringle documents how his city has accomplished urban redevelopment without resorting to using eminent domain.  In fact, Anaheim’s city council voted to restrict the use of eminent domain powers early on in the redevelopment process and the voters approved a city charter amendment last November making that restriction permanent. 

Unfortunately, not all cities in California are following Anaheim‘s example.  The Institute for Justice this week announced that they are joining the Community Youth Athletic Center in National City in legal action against the city’s use of eminent domain.  You can read more about that effort here.

(Full disclosure–I do some PR consulting for Mayor Pringle.)

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 21st, 2007 at 12:00 am and is filed under Blog Posts.