Texas Governor Rick Perry signs legislation protecting private property rights in Texas.

SAN ANTONIO Gov. Rick Perry today joined lawmakers in highlighting the importance of House Joint Resolution (HJR) 14 that allows Texans to vote on a constitutional amendment to strengthen land owners rights. The amendment, which will be voted on in November 2009, would achieve unprecedented protection of private property by placing protections against abuse of eminent domain directly into the Texas Constitution.

Land ownership is an essential part of Texas culture, and we owe it to our citizens to protect their rights as landowners and members of the community from government entities that overstep their bounds and abuse eminent domain, Gov. Perry said. The Legislature has moved us in the right direction with the passing of HJR 14, which will give Texans the right to vote in November to protect their homes and property from being taken by the government and given to someone else.

The passage of a constitutional amendment will enhance the private property protections established in Senate Bill (SB) 7, which prohibits government acquisition of land for non-public purposes, such as commercial economic development or private use. The bill was passed during a special session of the 79th Legislature in 2005, after a U.S. Supreme Court decision in Kelo v. New London ruled that government entities could use eminent domain authority for economic development projects rather than traditional public uses.

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News & Politics

Tags:

• transportation
• Rick Perry
• agriculture
• eminent domain
• private property rights
• HJR 14
• Texas Governor

[surfsalem7]

Thank you Governor Perry!! You are my favorite person! Thank you for working hard, despite your injury :) You're the best Governor ever!!