Perry wants to ensure cannot be used for economic purposes alone
AUSTIN -- Gov. Rick Perry wants to change the Texas Constitution to explicity say that the government cannot take private property through eminent domain for economic purposes alone.
But is that necessary?
Texas already has strong laws protecting property owners.
Many have accused Perry of just trying to get good press in time for the 2010 election.
But one local expert does not think it is a bad idea to make sure eminent domain is not stretched.
"I think it is important because we've seen it in other parts of the nation where they're trying to establish that putting up a mall is for the public good because it's going to bring visitors in and help spur the economy," said Linda Littlejohn, Chicago Title Amarillo president.
But Littlejohn said she does not think eminent domain will be used for economic purposes in Texas because of the nature of the West.
"Because of that history, Texas enacted a lot of very strong real estate laws that protect the rights of the homeowners," she said.
The Texas Farm Bureau has already come out in support of Perry's proposal. But the group wants to make sure any changes to the constitution detail the financial rights of owners.
Eminent domain still allows the government to buy private property from owners for the purpose of building things like schools and highways.
