Ohio's highest court ruled Wednesday that cities could not use eminent domain to seize private property in order to use the land for economic development. In 2002, the working-class Cincinnati suburb of Norwood demanded that dozens of property and business owners sell off their holdings in order to turn a neighborhood of about 70 middle-class homes into a $125-million retail and office complex. The development was expected to bring in millions of dollars in tax revenue. . . . Although economic issues can be considered in eminent domain cases, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that they could not be the only reason to take private property from owners. (Los Angeles Times, Thursday)
Not a perfect ruling, but good for them!
FEE Timely Classic
The Blight of Eminent Domain by Steven Greenhut