a dog-eared town

THey realize what a bad decision Kelo is.

From this story we learn that even in the bluest of blue states, there’s some common sense.

Spurred by the Supreme Court’s recent decision on eminent domain in Kelo v City of New London, a group of Bay State lawmakers are pushing for a bill that would limit the power municipalities have to seize private property for private redevelopment projects. The bill, authored by House Majority Leader Rep. Bradley Jones Jr., would allow the state’s cities and towns to seize private property only in cases where it is “a substandard, decadent or blighted open area” as defined by state law.

Mind you, submitting a bill is NOT the same thing as having a law passed. I’ll be interested in seeing whether the jackals at the state house realize how this is a no brainer and they should pass it yesterday.

Then again, there is the Boston Redevelopment Authority.

A spokeswoman for the Boston Redevelopment Authority, which oversees redevelopment efforts in Boston, tells GlobeSt.com that the agency is wary of any legislation designed to further restrict eminent domain powers. “We don’t think any further restrictions on eminent domain powers are necessary,”

Spoken like a true government agency. Rules, we don’t need no stinkin rules. We’re the government.