Don't Kelo My House Jacobsen and GTRDA

Wall Street Journal

Don't Kelo My House
Review & Outlook
Feb 28, 2005 Page A16


Believe it or not, the Supreme Court's decision in Kelo v. City of New London may yet unite red and blue America in at least one common cause. The 5-4 ruling, handed down last June, gives government more or less unlimited power to seize private property.

The latest blowback comes from South Dakota, whose Governor this month signed a law prohibiting the state from using its power of "eminent domain" to take private property for private economic development. No exceptions. No loopholes. The bill passed by unanimous vote in the state senate and 67-1 in the house.

That is 9 states, and numerous local communities so far, saying NO Eminent Domain for Private Gain.