Governor Vetos Eminent Domain Bill

I guess mama knows best. From the News Journal:

Gov. Ruth Ann Minner announced today she is vetoing legislation that would have redefined “public use” in the eminent domain law and made it harder for government agencies to take private land. The Legislature passed Senate Bill 245 on June 12, after months of negotiations between parities involved in the issue.

This is just crazy.

Members of both chambers of the Legislature have said a new eminent domain law is a priority, and they suspect an 11th hour attempt to ensure a compromise is reached and signed by the governor before they adjourn Monday night.

It would be nice to see them just override her veto, but Delaware Watch reports:

Even though the measure passed both houses by overwhelming margins, it has been reported to Delaware Watch that Senate President Pro Tem Thurman… Adams has the policy that no veto by a Democratic Governor will be overturned while he dominates the state Senate.

And that’s a shame.

Once more from the News Journal:

Although SB 245 came partly as a response to the Riverfront squabble, it also was a reaction to the 2005 U.S. Supreme Court decision in the case of Kelo v. City of New London. In that case, the nation’s highest court ruled that the taking of private property as part of a comprehensive redevelopment plan was a permissible use of eminent domain because the public at large benefits from the redevelopment.

Funny thing is that the City of New London tore down the house and the development for which the house was removed has yet to happen:

…not much progress has been made in Fort Trumbull, leaving some wondering whether the homeowners were forced out for nothing.

Hit this link for SB 245. Hat tip to Delaware Liberal for the veto story. Hat tip to Newsbusters for the Kelo update.