Californians To Vote On Property Rights Initiative In November

"An initiative that would ban government seizure of land to facilitate private developments has qualified for California's November ballot, the secretary of state's office said Tuesday."

The initiative was spawned as a result of the June 23, 2005 Supreme Court's "Kelo vs. New London, CT" ruling allowing government use of eminent domain for private development.

"Critics say the California initiative is grossly misleading because in addition to the eminent domain provisions it would gut government's ability to regulate land use and urban growth.

In particular, the measure contains controversial language that would require governments to compensate landowners if new regulations not directly related to public safety hurt a property's value -- unless the property is exempted from the new restrictions.

Cities, redevelopment agencies, urban planners and environmental, school and public safety groups say they will vigorously fight the measure. "

Thanks to The Roundup