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compiled by Seth Teter

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has launched a campaign that takes aim at eminent domain laws used to confiscate private property for increased tax revenue. The goal: Stop Taking Our Property (STOP).

The STOP campaign follows the Supreme Court's controversial 5-4 ruling in the Kelo case, which authorized the city of New London, Conn. to condemn private homes to build new residences, office buildings and retail space.

"Farmers and ranchers understand that circumstances can arise in which their land could be acquired for a legitimate public use. We cannot support the rationale of Kelo, however, in which private property can effectively be taken for the profit of other private properties," said AFBF President Bob Stallman.

As part of STOP, AFBF is distributing information and tools to educate the public about the effects of the Kelo decision and to encourage the passage of legislation at the state and federal levels to protect property rights.

Several states already have introduced or passed such legislation. A bill in Ohio, introduced by Sen. Timothy Grendell, would establish an 18-month moratorium on the government taking unblighted property for ownership by a private entity. It also would create a 24-person study committee that would include Farm Bureau.

At the federal level, the House has introduced legislation that would discourage states from abusing eminent domain power. Under H.R. 3405, states or local governments would be stripped of federal funding for economic development projects if they use eminent domain for private commercial development. They would also be required to provide fair market value and moving expenses to people displaced under eminent domain.

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte said citizens should not have to live in fear of the government "snatching up their home, farm or business."

"The nation's founders realized the fundamental importance of property rights when they codified the takings clause of the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution, which requires that private property shall not be taken unless for public use and with just compensation," he said.

Stallman said there is nothing to stop family farms from being taken for industrial developments, shopping malls or housing developments. He noted that municipalities generally grow outward into rural areas.

"While agricultural lands are vital to the nation because they feed our people, they do not generate as much property tax revenue as homes or offices," he said. "As a result, they become very susceptible to being taken for any of these other uses."

For STOP resources and materials visit www.ofbf.org and click Featured Links.