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October 03, 2005
Keno Fallout
While many people didn't bemoan the June 23rd Supreme Court ruling on Kelo as critically as they should have, because arguably it does make Eminent Domain a state's rights issue, Yes, in John Roberts subterfuge, this is true. But more importantly, it solidified the confidence of developers and city officials flush with kickbacks in using eminent domain, demonstrating that the government will refuse to grant protections against it's abuse. Which is of course especially true in states governed by the likes of Jeb Bush. And here comes the first major exploitation since the decision. "Florida's Riviera Beach is a poor, predominantly black, coastal community that intends to revitalize its economy by using eminent domain, if necessary, to displace about 6,000 local residents and build a billion-dollar waterfront yachting and housing complex" ... "Mr. Brown and others said this could be one of the biggest eminent-domain actions ever. A report in the Palm Beach Post said it is the biggest since 1954, when 5,000 residents of Washington were displaced for eventual development of the Southwest D.C. waterfront, L'Enfant Plaza, and the less-than-successful Waterside Mall."
Posted by jmarston at October 3, 2005 12:47 PM