IJ: Even When They Lose, They Win

Major props to the good folks over at the Institute for Justice. Not only did they not miss a beat after the loss of the Kelo v. New London case, ratcheting up efforts of The Castle Coalition to protect private property rights for eminent domain abuses, it looks like they managed to derail Connecticut takings:

The largest organization of Connecticut municipalities said Monday that a suggested moratorium on seizing private property is unnecessarily broad.

A spokesman for the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities said towns and cities using eminent domain laws for traditional public uses, such as building schools and roads, should be able to proceed.

Lawmakers suggested the moratorium after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last month that New London can seize homes for a private economic development project. They want time to consider changing Connecticut's laws to provide more protection for property owners.

The upshot is that, even though the SCOTUS has ruled that these takings are constitutional, the publicity has made them unpopular enough that they're going to be delayed, hopefully indefinitely.

It just goes to show that the sort of government abuses that are specific to local government are extremely vulnerable to having the light of the public eye shined on them.

Rock on, IJ!

Yours truly,
Mr. X

...supporter...