SENATOR DIANE ALLEN: LEGISLATURE MUST ACT NOW TO PROTECT PEOPLE'S HOMES AND CIVIL RIGHTS

Senator Diane Allen, the Deputy Minority Leader issued the following statement supporting the efforts of Public Advocate Ronald Chen calling for changes in state laws governing redevelopment and relocation assistance:

"I am so glad that the Public Advocate released a report that supports the legislation I have been pursuing for more than three years. As Chen said, his investigation revealed that redevelopment has proceeded without proper consideration for the welfare of the low and moderate income families living in the neighborhood. Instead of benefitting from the redevelopment, residents are being forced out without the resources to find homes elsewhere.

"Before the Public Advocate had even taken office, he and I were having discussions about eminent domain. We both felt and still feel that low and moderate income residents need protection from the heavy hand of government and the improper use of eminent domain.

"For more than three years, I have been working to pass legislation that would prevent the types of abuses found in Public Advocate's report. My efforts have been continuously thwarted by some powerful members of the Legislature. I hope this report changes hearts and minds, and results in immediate bipartisan support for the following bills. We need to move forward to protect people's homes and civil rights, especially the most vulnerable."

Senator Allen currently has the following bills in the Senate that would change the state laws governing redevelopment:

S-152 Requires "just compensation" for condemnation of single-family residence to be based on cost of comparable relocation properties. (Introduced 2005)

S-153 Prohibits municipal officers and employees serving on redevelopment or housing agencies from voting to condemn property. (Introduced 2005)

S-154 Places temporary moratorium on use of eminent domain; creates Eminent Domain Study Commission to examine its use Statewide. (Introduced 2005)

S-160 Revises procedures for the use of eminent domain and compensation for loss of business in municipal redevelopment programs. (Introduced 2006)

S-762 Clarifies blight criteria under "Local Redevelopment and Housing Law, " and prevents use of condemnation to acquire code compliant residential property under that law.

SCR-22 Proposes Constitutional amendment to limit exercise of eminent domain to acquisition of land for essential public purposes. (Introduced 2005)