House Republican Press Release

September 16, 2005

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Rep. DelGobbo Joins Effort for Special Session to Protect Property Rights

Naugatuck Legislator One of First to Request Legislature Convene to Reform Eminent Domain

State Rep. Kevin M. DelGobbo, R-70^th, Naugatuck, who has called repeatedly for reform of state eminent domain laws on government taking of private property, has signed a petition formally calling the legislature into special session on the topic. He was one of the first to sign the petition.

Rep. DelGobbo said the session is aimed at adopting a moratorium against taking people’s property for private development as well as making permanent changes in state law to protect property owners’ rights.

Calling itself into session is an unusual action, which legislators are initiating because the leadership has not acted on this issue. By the petition process, a majority of legislators themselves can call the legislature into special session.

“It is one of the most basic rights in America’s democratic system that people have a right to own their own home,” said Rep. DelGobbo. “When government can take property away for a private developer to build a hotel is an alarming use of government power. As representatives of the people, the legislature needs to limit that power now.”

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.”

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.

On June 28, Rep. DelGobbo and Republican colleagues voted to restrict the use of eminent domain under such circumstances. The measure was defeated along party lines by a vote of 50 - 82.

On the House floor, 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 property by eminent domain. It is a needed check on government’s powers in this state.”

Rep. DelGobbo said a bill to reform the eminent domain law also was offered during the 2005 legislative session. However, 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 Assembly District of Naugatuck in the state House of Representatives.