Tag "eminent domain"

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Will revived redevelopment program create additional affordable housing?

A bill that would revive redevelopment as a tool for local governments passed the state Legislature in the final days of the summer session on party-line votes. Now the question is whether a so-far noncommittal Gov. Gavin Newsom will accept

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Two new headaches for California high-speed rail project

The California High-Speed Rail Authority – the agency in charge of building the state’s bullet train system – has already faced a tough year, with Gov. Gavin Newsom signaling in February that he’s not confident the full system can ever

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New law clears way for redevelopment’s return

Five years ago, when state courts upheld Gov. Jerry Brown’s and the Legislature’s move to shut down redevelopment in California and seize $1.7 billion in redevelopment funds from local agencies around the state, Brown’s crusade won cheers from many of

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State Senate approves bill to revive Kelo-style redevelopment

California has moved one step closer to the return of redevelopment and the controversial power to seize private property through eminent domain. The state Senate approved legislation Wednesday that would give local governments the power to create new entities, known as

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State Assembly approves plan to bring back Kelo-style redevelopment

Redevelopment agencies would once again have the power to seize private property for big developers under a bill that passed the California State Assembly earlier this month. Assembly Bill 2, authored by Assemblyman Luis Alejo, D-Salinas, would give local governments the

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Lawmakers dismiss efforts to protect property rights from high-speed rail

State lawmakers are forcing property owners “all aboard” the state’s high-speed rail project – whether they like it or not. This month, two state legislative panels blocked efforts by Central Valley Republican lawmakers to guarantee the property rights of those

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Richmond pols continue posturing on underwater mortgages

A majority of the Richmond City Council still wants to use eminent domain powers to to seize “underwater mortgages” even though the bond market refused to sell $34 million in municipal bonds for the city last year due to Richmond

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Bullet train dead in water — yet state to proceed with eminent domain

Eminent domain is one of the greatest government assaults on individual rights that one sees on a regular basis in the United States. Even in its purer form, in which land is seized for projects with broad general public benefit,

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Expect Richmond’s eminent domain mortgage ploy to backfire

Los Angeles attorney Gideon Kanner has for 40 years been a fierce opponent of the abuse of eminent domain law.  His credentials are so extensive that it is impossible to list them all here.  I always found his opposition to

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Hemet abuses redevelopment

May 6, 2013 By Nick Sibilla Carina Alvarez has a dream for a comfortable retirement.  But it’s turning into a bureaucratic nightmare. Carina bought a four-plex on Mobley Lane in Hemet for $170,000 back in 2010 as an investment.  She

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