The latest opinion, news, and happenings from the Norwalk Democrats.
Representative Perone Cheers Passage Of New "Eminent Domain" Legislation
State Rep. Chris Perone
June 2, 2007
The House of Representatives joined the Senate Saturday afternoon when they passed sweeping legislation that revises the state's "Eminent Domain" policy. The bill, SB 167, provides new steps in the process of taking land from individual under Eminent Domain. Representative Chris Perone (D-Norwalk), a strong supporter of the bill, applauded the vote.
"This bill ensures that no citizen has to be concerned with property being taken for strictly economic purposes," Rep. Perone said. "This bill was a consensus between both Democratic and Republican lawmakers and, I suspect, should be signed into law by Governor Rell with few reservations."
Within the bill are built a number of provisions that give the property-holder more means of protection. These new standards include a public hearing, a two-thirds vote from the town legislative body for approval of seizure, an opportunity for the property owner to buy back the taken land if it is not being developed for it's original intention, and a 10-year deadline for completing the taking.
The bill also allows the individual to be compensated for his land based on the average of two independent appraisals and requires compensation under municipal development to equal 125 percent of the original value.
"Justice Sandra Day O'Connor said it best in the Supreme Court when she said, 'the specter of condemnation hangs over all property. Nothing is to prevent the state from replacing any Motel 6 with a Ritz-Carlton, any home with a shopping mall, or any farm with a factory,'" said Rep. Perone.
The vote passed through the Senate Thursday night 33-3 before winning approval in the House today 132-7. The bill now awaits a signature from Governor Rell to become law.
Rep. Christopher Perone is serving his second term representing the 137th Assembly District of Norwalk. He is Vice Chair of the Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee, and is a member of the Education and Transportation Committees.
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State Rep. Chris Perone
June 2, 2007
The House of Representatives joined the Senate Saturday afternoon when they passed sweeping legislation that revises the state's "Eminent Domain" policy. The bill, SB 167, provides new steps in the process of taking land from individual under Eminent Domain. Representative Chris Perone (D-Norwalk), a strong supporter of the bill, applauded the vote.
"This bill ensures that no citizen has to be concerned with property being taken for strictly economic purposes," Rep. Perone said. "This bill was a consensus between both Democratic and Republican lawmakers and, I suspect, should be signed into law by Governor Rell with few reservations."
Within the bill are built a number of provisions that give the property-holder more means of protection. These new standards include a public hearing, a two-thirds vote from the town legislative body for approval of seizure, an opportunity for the property owner to buy back the taken land if it is not being developed for it's original intention, and a 10-year deadline for completing the taking.
The bill also allows the individual to be compensated for his land based on the average of two independent appraisals and requires compensation under municipal development to equal 125 percent of the original value.
"Justice Sandra Day O'Connor said it best in the Supreme Court when she said, 'the specter of condemnation hangs over all property. Nothing is to prevent the state from replacing any Motel 6 with a Ritz-Carlton, any home with a shopping mall, or any farm with a factory,'" said Rep. Perone.
The vote passed through the Senate Thursday night 33-3 before winning approval in the House today 132-7. The bill now awaits a signature from Governor Rell to become law.
Rep. Christopher Perone is serving his second term representing the 137th Assembly District of Norwalk. He is Vice Chair of the Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee, and is a member of the Education and Transportation Committees.
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