House Republican Press Release

June 29, 2005

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Rep. DelGobbo Votes to Protect People’s Homes from Takeover for Private Development

State Rep. Kevin M. DelGobbo, R-70^th, Naugatuck, tonight voted for a measure to restrict the government takeover of people’s homes for private developers.

The issues arises from a June 23 U.S. Supreme Court decision by a 5-4 vote that authorized the City of New London to acquire private homes by eminent domain to allow development of a hotel and conference center.

Rep. DelGobbo urged colleagues to restrict the use of eminent domain under such circumstances. The measure was defeated along party lines by a vote of  50 -  82.

“This is America,” said Rep. DelGobbo. “A person’s home should not be taken for any reason. There  should be some restriction on the awesome power of the government to take someone’s property.”

He added, “There is a distinction between taking property for a public purpose such as a school and taking someone’s house to turn it over to a developer.”

Rep. DelGobbo urged, “This is our opportunity for the voice of the people to speak today. We should institute these restrictions on government’s right to take homes by eminent domain. It is a needed a check on government’s powers in this state.”

Rep. DelGobbo said a bill on this topic was offered during the legislative session and the subject was brought up months ago for the general assembly to discuss and debate. The measure never came up for a vote during the regular session. Rep. DelGobbo and Republican colleagues offered it as an amendment to a budget bill in the legislature’s June 28 special session.

Rep. DelGobbo serves the 70^th district of Naugatuck in the state House of Representatives.