In the Institute for Justice's new study, Doomsday? No Way: EconomicTrends and Post-Kelo Eminent Domain Reform here:http://www.ij.org/publications/other/doomsday.html,
we found that strong protections against eminent domain abuse have no ill effect on economic growth.Using rigorous statistical methods, we examined economic indicators nation wide between states with varying degrees of reform and looked at pre-and post-reform trends.
Despite doomsday predictions from eminent domainapologists like former Riviera Beach, Fla., Mayor Michael Brown - who said,"[I]f we don't use this power, cities will die" - even the strongest reforms, like those passed in Florida, have caused no negative economic consequences.
Legislators, especially those in states that have passed no reforms, should be encouraged by this study to protect and pass strong property rights protections so that home and small business owners across the country can keep what is rightfully theirs. We encourage you to spread the word and share this study, as well as today's excellent Wall Street Journal editorial "Eminent Reality."
