Conn. lawmakers limit eminent domain use (AP)

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Conn. lawmakers limit eminent domain use

By SUSAN HAIGH, Associated Press Writer
24 minutes ago

HARTFORD, Conn. - The state at the center of a national property rights battle
moved to limit the use of eminent domain, two years after the U.S. Supreme Court
ruled that governments may seize property for private development projects.

Unlike other states, however, the Connecticut measure does not expressly ban
using eminent domain for economic development. Instead, it prohibits property
from being taken solely to boost property taxes.

The state House of Representatives approved the bill by a 132-7 vote Saturday
night. The legislation, which the Senate approved 33-3 on Thursday, now goes to
Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell. She is expected to sign it because much of the
legislation was recommended by her office, lawmakers said.

"I think at the end of the day it will ensure that property, especially homeowners',
will not be unnecessarily threatened by this extraordinary power," said Democratic
Rep. Michael Lawlor.

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Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070603/ap_on_re_us/seizing_property