Property Rights
A Mesa, Arizona businessman learned about eminent domain abuse the hard way. When Bailey said he didn’t want to sell his family-owned brake shop, the city tried to use its power of eminent domain to take his property and give it to a local developer in the name of economic development. Bailey won in court, and Arizona passed Proposition 207 to help protect private property from such abuse. The Goldwater Institute developed Proposition 207 and is monitoring its success, and is committed to ensuring that government respects private property.
- All
- Press Releases
- Multimedia
- In the News
- Reports
- Cases
- Amicus Briefs
- OpEds & Blogs
-
Property Owners Threatened by Land Condemnations
Posted on August 16, 2002 | Type: Press ReleasePhoenix, AZ-Are property owners in danger of having their land taken by the government to make way for hardware stores and strip malls? In a study released today by the Goldwater Institute, land use and zoning attorney Jordan Rose argues that takings for private use are on the upswing in Arizona. Rose blames the 1997 redevelopment statutes, saying they have "gutted the Arizona Constitution's prohibition against taking private property for private use."
-
Study Cites Eminent Domain Abuses
Posted on August 15, 2002 | Type: In the NewsEast Valley municipalities have repeatedly used Arizona's eminent domain laws to seize private property for public redevelopment projects.
-
On the Take: Abuse of Eminent Domain Growing
Posted on August 14, 2002 | Type: Op-EdAmazing, isn't it? In the land of Barry Goldwater, a municipal government can take your land and give it to another private citizen, or to a corporation. Of course, the government must pay you "fair market value," but that's no consolation if you didn't want your property to be on the market in the first place.
