Kelo Fallout: New Jersey Legislators And The State Public Advocate Launch Efforts To Reform The Use Of Takings For Private Development
…A bevy of bills have been introduced in the Legislature, some of which call for constitutional amendments to either limit or outright ban takings of property for redevelopment. And Public Advocate Ronald Chen, in a May 18 report to Gov. Jon Corzine, called for a comprehensive reform of the use of eminent domain for that purpose….
William Ward of Florham Park’s Carlin, Ward, Ash & Heiart LLC, who represents property owners, supports all of Chen’s report and says it will be useful to all three branches of government. “It lays open the house of cards our legislators have built, allowing developers free pickings in large portions of the state,” he says. – By Lisa Brennan