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Congressman John T. Salazar -- Defending Rural Values -- Third District of Colorado
  For immediate release  
  November 5, 2005  
 

SALAZAR VOTES TO PROTECT PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS

 
 

Salazar Takes a Stand Against the Overzealous Use of Eminent Domain Powers

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John T. Salazar (CO-3) stood up to protect the rights of property owners in the Third Congressional District when he voted with a bipartisan majority of legislators to restrict the use of eminent domain condemnation powers for so-called economic development purposes.

“In my district the values of faith, family and commitment to community are sacred. We also hold sacred the right to own property without fear of it being taken away by the government,” Salazar said in a speech on the House floor. “Unfortunately, local governments are seizing property in the name of economic development and transferring ownership to other private individuals.”

The bill, HR 4128, would withhold federal economic development money from state and local governments who use the powers of eminent domain to take private property from one individual and transfer it to another private individual or private entity for the purpose of economic development.  The legislation was crafted in response to the June Supreme Court ruling in the case of Kelo vs. New London, in which the Court held that the use of eminent domain powers for the purpose of economic development were allowable under the 5th Amendment to the Constitution.

“The Supreme Court has grossly misinterpreted the takings clause of the 5th Amendment,” Salazar argued. “HR 4128 will ensure the private property rights of American citizens are protected against parties interested in building strip malls and big box stores.”

Salazar was a cosponsor of HR 4128 which passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 376-38.

 
 

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