AgdaPkt 2005-09-26 - Laserfiche WebLink

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9�1 i�o • As an elected leader, I stand ready and willing to welcome and promote video competition in my community without completely cutting local governments' authority to ensure service for all citizens and to receive compensation for private use of public land. Eminent Domain Talking Points Congressionat hearings on eminent domain are expected during September — a reaction to the recent Supreme Court decision in Kelo v. City of New London, which upheld the city's eminent domain action. Since June, members of Congress have been bombarded by messages from property rights advocates who are effectively painting the picture of govemment taking citizens' private property and giving it to private developers for profit. It is essential that city officials "localize and personalize" their message with examples of projects that would not exist but for the use of eminent domain or the ability to use eminent domain. • We urge Congress to slow down, take a step back, and consider the facts. The bills that have been introduced would create unintended consequences and severely hamstring our ability to promote the economic health of our cities and towns. • Eminent domain is a state-derived power. Decisions about the proper use of eminent domain - including whether additional checks and balances are needed to protect individual rights - are best left to the states and their political subdivisions. Congress should not and need not respond with one-size-fits-all, blunt, and overly broad federal legislation. Note that California already has laws that provide stronger protections for property owners than exist in Connecticut, where the Ke% v. City of New London case arose. • Without the power of eminent domain for economic development, our community would not have. Note: Insert specific examples of economic development projects in your community that would not exist but for the exercise of eminent domain or the opportunity to exercise eminent domain. • The use of eminent domain in our community is already govemed by state laws and local ordinances that contain appropriate checks and balances. We use eminent domain carefully, prudently and in the sunshine of public scrutiny. And consistent with the Just Compensation requirement in the Constitution, we ensure that property owners are fully and fai�ly compensated. Note: Insert specific local safeguards or processes you follow in exercising eminent domain. Removing Barriers to Affordable Housing A conference on "Removing Barriers to Affordable Housing" will be held on September 19 at the Ontario Convention Center, in Ontario. The event begins promptly at 9:30 a.m. The program will feature a number of topics, including America's Affordable Communities Initiative, global gateway regions, challenges and barriers to affordable housing and whaYs being done, and what the federal govemment can do to help. 10