The front-line in the battle for private property rights is currently in Mount Holly, New Jersey. Until recently, Mount Holly was a community of more than 300 families. The township has bought more than 200 homes under the threat of eminent domain, and has now notified the other home-owners that they will be condemned through eminent domain if they do not accept the offers for their homes.
The Township wants to give the land to a Philadelphia developer, which plans to build hundreds of higher-priced townhouses, apartments and a business center. While this type of taking is not legal in Texas anymore, abuses are still happening. As Texas continues to push eminent domain legislation this session, policymakers should be very mindful of protecting Texans’ fundamental private property rights.
-Ryan Brannan