Monday, June 27, 2005
Contact: Spence Jackson or Jessica Robinson, (573)751-0290
Blunt to Form Task Force to Study Eminent Domain Issues in Wake of U.S. Supreme Court Decision
JEFFERSON CITY—Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt today announced his intention to issue an Executive Order creating a special task force to study federal and state eminent domain laws.
Blunt’s decision to form the Missouri Task Force on Eminent Domain comes four days after the United States Supreme Court ruled against homeowners in Connecticut who sought protection from having their homes taken by a private developer for a commercial project.
"This is a terrible ruling that undermines the balance that ought to exist between private property owners and the needs of the public," Blunt said. "I am charging this commission with conducting a thorough review of federal and state eminent domain laws to protect Missouri home, farm and business owners from falling victim to a government tax grab."
After conducting the review of state and federal eminent domain laws the task force will also be charged with issuing criteria to be applied by state and local governments when the use of eminent domain is being proposed and to make recommendations to the Missouri General Assembly to protect private property owners if it is deemed necessary.
"I believe eminent domain can be an appropriate tool under certain circumstances," Blunt said. "But it should not be used as a means to take property from responsible owners when no clear public interest exists."
The nine-member Missouri Task Force on Eminent Domain will only exist until Dec. 31, 2005 and will be assisted by the state departments of Agriculture and Economic Development. Terry Jarrett, Blunt’s General Counsel, will serve as chairman. Task force members will receive no compensation for their service.