Here is a nice early look at a press release coming from Rep. Wayne Christians office tomorrow morning. Looks like Christian will be taking a tough stand for private property rights this session.
By defining and limiting public use in the Texas Constitution we can stop frivolous and unnecessary takings of private property and the terrible impact it can have on families farmers ranchers and businesses.Read the full press release below. Austin TX State Representative Wayne Christian (R-Center) announced today his resolve to strengthen private property rights by amending the Texas Constitution to limit the governments power of eminent domain. Rep. Christian stated: The power of eminent domain gives governments great opportunity to undermine Texans rights through abusive takings of private property. The raw power of eminent domain must be restrained by strengthening protections in the State Constitution." Rep. Christian filed House Joint Resolution 96 in the Regular Session of the 81st Texas Legislature to define public use" the basis for beginning an eminent domain proceeding as: A use of property that allows the state a political subdivision of the state or the general public of the state to possess occupy and enjoy the property…" In the Summer of 2006 the 79th Texas Legislature responded to the infamous Kelo decision by the U.S. Supreme Court by passing Senate Bill 7 which prohibited the taking of private property for economic development purposes. Even with all of the steps the Legislature has taken the Texas Constitution must be amended to strengthen the rights of all property owners in Texas" added Rep. Christian. Rep. Christian declared: The right to own private property is key to the freedom of the people of our state. Currently governments have an unfair advantage over property owners in the exercise of eminent domain." Rep. Christian concluded By defining and limiting public use in the Texas Constitution we can stop frivolous and unnecessary takings of private property and the terrible impact it can have on families farmers ranchers and businesses."
