Eminent Domain Remains Controversial

“Eminent domain” is the power of government to acquire private property at a market price in order build roads, schools, hospitals, railroads, airports, and other government structures. In an unpopular ruling more than a decade ago, the Supreme Court held by a 5-4 margin that the town of New London could force Susette Kelo to sell her home in order to transfer it to a private developer. The city won that case and seized her property, but then the development fell through and the property sat unoccupied for years.