http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/0223thurlets231.html

Eminent-domain bills bad for landowners

Feb. 23, 2006 12:00 AM

Regarding "Land bills stir lawsuit fears" (Republic, Tuesday):

Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman and Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon are misinforming people about the impact of eminent-domain bills pending before the Arizona Legislature.

The "regulatory takings" provisions relate to when cities change the rules of the game after people have bought property in reliance on the existing rules. The question is: Who should pay for the city's actions: the city or the individual property owner? In a free society, to ask the question is to answer it.

Mayor Hallman in particular has shown little regard for the rights of property owners where his developer friends are concerned. He is a poster child for the type of government abuse the eminent-domain bill would curb.

Clint Bolick Phoenix, Arizona