Eminent Domain Bill passes DE House

In Dover, Delaware, the Eminent Domain Bill passed by a vote of 38 to nothing. Since it’s already passed the Senate, all it needs now to become a law is the Governor’s signature.

In Dover, Delaware, the Eminent Domain Bill passed by a vote of 38 to nothing. Since it’s already passed the Senate, all it needs now to become a law is the Governor’s signature.

Listen:
[audio: reports20090403domain.mp3]

A bill that would prevent the government from taking private land for economic development easily passed the House.

The overwhelming vote is a victory for those who say it’s wrong for governments to use tax dollars to buy private property.

Ed Osborne owns an auto repair shop on that infamous stretch of Wilmington riverfront. He says it’s his constitutional right not to be pushed aside by the government.

Osborne: While they were trying to redo the riverfront, and I understand that, and I would never stand in the way of development. I support it. I want to be a part of it. I’ve been in this city for 26 years, and I deserve to be part of what they do there, and I’m going to be part of what they do.

It’s essentially the same bill that was vetoed last year by Governor Ruth Ann Minner.

Late Thursday afternoon, Governor Jack Markell’s spokesman said that he will sign the bill.