Here's an interesting Article (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/09/26/60minutes/main575343.shtml). Here in Ohio, some courts have upheld the right of government to take you private property and give it to another private person or group (usually a company) in the name of "public good",

Example, you own 100 acres, you don't want to sell, but a developer convinces the local jurisdictional govt, they wish to put in a housing development. They will take you land (and will compensate you) and give or sell it to the developer. Since it is undeveloped lad, govt may give you 500K, but when spilt up, developer values the parcels for 80K a piece -- undeveloped. They split it up into 50 2-acre parcels now worth $4 Million -- undeveloped. Benefit to govt -- property taxes gained on 50 parcels worth 400K -500K (new tax base of $23.5 Million [assume average of $450K] ) each after house is built on it.

The hope is, I believe, Ohio Supreme Court is expected to overturn lower courts that decide that way.

Our rights are eroding faster than a sandy beach after a hurricane.


Buckeye

Old news. Last summer, the US Supreme Court ruled that property tax values constituted a viable reason to forcible transfere land to another party.

That was when I lost hope for this country. Problem is, I can't find a country that isn't even more screwed up, unless I learn to speak Penguin.

Before anyone gets all worked up, these "powers" are already present at the State and County levels.

FS 252.38(3)(5) - EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT POWERS; POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS.--

--snipped--

5. To request state assistance or invoke emergency-related mutual-aid assistance by declaring a state of local emergency in the event of an emergency affecting only one political subdivision. The duration of each state of emergency declared locally is limited to 7 days; it may be extended, as necessary, in 7-day increments. Further, the political subdivision has the power and authority to waive the procedures and formalities otherwise required of the political subdivision by law pertaining to:

a. Performance of public work and taking whatever prudent action is necessary to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the community.

-- snipped --
g. Acquisition and distribution, with or without compensation, of supplies, materials, and facilities.

It's already in the law, and it has been since at least the year 2000, but I think this has been on the books since the 1960's.

acropolis5, I have the same problem, so I cheat! I do my posts in msword first, doing spell & grammar check, etc. Then, I copy it to the clipboard & paste it into this box on the post page. <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />