Boyd Introduces Legislation to Protect Property Owners
WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 15, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Allen Boyd (D-North Florida) today introduced bipartisan legislation that would help protect private property owners from becoming victims of eminent domain seizures by state and local governments. The Strengthening the Ownership of Private Property (STOPP) Act would significantly discourage governments from taking property from one private party and giving it to another private party through a series of aggressive financial disincentives. Congressman Boyd has been a long-time proponent of protecting the rights of property owners, having introduced similar legislation in past years.
“Governments should not have the ability to take away a person’s home, business or land to benefit other individuals,” said Congressman Boyd. “The STOPP Act is a comprehensive piece of legislation that will help protect the rights of our homeowners and small businesses by penalizing the confiscation of private property for private gain.”
If eminent domain abuses occur, the STOPP Act would prevent states and localities from receiving federal economic assistance on all economic development projects – not just those upon which abuses occur – until the dispute is reconciled. Additionally, it guarantees that victims of abuses receive fair market value for their property and appropriate moving expenses.
The STOPP Act is specifically meant to address a 2005 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allows governments to use eminent domain to take away private property and transfer it to someone else for their private gain.
Congressman Boyd introduced the bipartisan STOPP Act along with six co-sponsors: Rep. Peter DeFazio, Rep. Bob Goodlatte, Rep. Frank Lucas, Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, Rep. James Sensenbrenner and Rep. Lamar Smith.
Contact:
Christopher Cashman, 202-225-5235
Comments
Is the value of the bullet that I fire into the brain of the land grabber worth more or less than the value of the land that is stolen from me? I have gone thru Eminent Domain before and if it is ever attempted again there will be blood shed by the land sharks. I am not the only one who feels this way, but perhaps only one who will express what WILL HAPPEN as the land grabbing happens. Can’t wait to read of the body count numbers as this crapola starts happening.
Congressman Boyd’s STOPP Act is good news. Let’s see if it passes. Eminent domain is a sobering experience. Private property owners facing the threat of eminent domain quickly learn that they are not standing on a level playing field legally, economically or politically.
Among other lessons, there is a lot of play in the “just” of “just compensation.” The power of eminent domain brings with it a sense of entitlement. At that point, property owners are merely an obstacle to be swept aside — when, in fact, they possess the key asset coveted by government and the corporation.
But property owners can fight back. Our two-year battle against Houston-based Spectra Energy which seized our property rights for an underground gas storage field led to the development of a website which has begun to attract whistle blowers inside the energy industry. We are collaborating and helping property owners in many states. For info, visit the site: http://www.spectraenergywatch.com/blog/
By the way, our new neighbor, Spectra Energy, has received two Notice of Violations for “unlawful conduct” over the past two months related to emergency shutdowns and emissions at its storage field in Bedford County, PA. Reports of contaminated water supplies are on the rise since they began operations.
Like Kelo, the ripple effects of eminent domain are never over.
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Finally!!!..a congressman with bballs!!!…all otherr spineless reps are 2 afaid bcause of the dirty dirt they (shadow gov’t)have on them!!!..so they rather sell their soul than cleanse it..