Rep. Lucas Fights to Protect Private Property Rights

Press Release

Rep. Lucas Fights to Protect Private Property Rights

Congressman Frank Lucas joins other Members of Congress today to protect the property rights of private citizens and businesses from state and local government by cosponsoring H.R. 6219, the "Private Property Rights Protection and Government Accountability Act of 2008." The bill is sponsored by Rep. John Sullivan (OK-01) and Rep. Joe Barton (TX-06).

"I am proud to join my fellow Oklahoman John Sullivan to stand up for the rights of private property owners," stated Lucas. "The federal government must not condone the abuse of eminent domain by doing nothing to stop it."

Historically, the government could only seize private property for public use, such as roads and schools. However, the Supreme Court's 2005 decision in Kelo v. City of New London expanded government's power to permit a taking of property from private citizens and businesses and transfer the property to a private owner for anything deemed a ‘public purpose' by state and local bureaucrats.

"It is time for Congress to act to protect Americans' property rights," stated Lucas. "Economic development at the expense of American citizens is not what our country should be about."

H.R. 6219 will restrict certain federal economic development funds for 10 years to any state in which eminent domain is used to take private property for a private purpose, which include increased tax revenue, increased employment, and uses of the land not available to the public. In addition, it will grant legal recourse for private property owners whose property was taken by the government for private use.

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