The bill, which passed the N.C. House by a vote of 104-15 on May 24, would prevent government entities from seizing private property for economic development purposes. On May 29, HB 878 was referred to the N.C. Senate Ways and Means Committee – a committee that has not met since 2001. The committee is chaired by Senator Charlie Dannelly of Mecklenburg County.
“Poll results have shown that 73% of North Carolina voters would support an amendment to the state constitution to limit government’s ability to seize our property[1],” says Kieran Shanahan, Chairman of the N.C. Property Rights Coalition. “The people of North Carolina clearly want an amendment to protect their private property from eminent domain abuse. Unfortunately, rather than taking action, the leadership in the North Carolina Senate chose to bury this amendment in a committee that has not met since 2001. The people of North Carolina deserve better.”
“Today, on behalf of property owners all across North Carolina, I call on the leadership in the North Carolina Senate to bring the eminent domain amendment to the floor for an immediate vote,” Shanahan adds. “Private property rights are one of the fundamental rights of a free society. We don’t need excuses or political games; we need to give the people of North Carolina the right to vote on this amendment, and we need to do it now.”
[1] John William Pope Civitas Institute, August 2005
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