Eminent domain

The Joplin Globe

Gov. Matt Blunt, obviously upset at the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the New London, Conn., eminent domain case, has appointed a nine-member state task force to recommend ways Missouri can prevent or, at least, make unlikely similar instances of municipal governments taking private land for private development.

We would suggest that the panel look closely at the plan proposed in Congress by 7th District Rep. Roy Blunt, the governor's father and majority whip in the House. His approach is simple, straightforward and could be devastatingly effective against communities that decide to use eminent domain to grab off homes and properties so a developer might build whatever he wants in order to turn a profit for himself and increase tax revenue for the city.

What Roy Blunt has recommended is withholding some federal funding from local governments that run roughshod over homeowners by using eminent domain in such a manner as New London. The loss of a few dollars from Uncle Sam here and there may not get the attention of some city councils, but the accumulative effect, if the bill blacklists those communities for, say, five or more years, clearly could be profoundly negative.

We think such an idea is something that a statewide commission should look into. Such barriers put up by state and federal governments would make communities think long and hard.

Eminent domain should be used only for public use projects, such as schools and highways. It should not be used for economic development at the expense of people who don't want to give up their homes just so a city can pump up its tax take.