The long-awaited Oklahoma Supreme Court ruling involving the condemnation of four pieces of property in eastern Oklahoma for building a water line to a power plant seems to sit well with the current political climate about private property rights.
Judges this week ruled that Muskogee County does not have the legal right to condemn four pieces of private property needed by Energetix to bring water to an electricity generation plant. The same company several years ago had proposed building an electricity generation plant on tribal land in far eastern Cleveland County. That proposal died with some federal enabling legislation but could reappear some day.
The right of governmental entities to condemn and purchase property for eventual private development has been an emotional hot button for lawmakers throughout the country. It started with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling nearly a year ago that said property could be condemned if the new project would provide greater tax revenues and economic development than the old use.
The high court's decision in the Kelo case from New London, Conn., touched off a spate of legislation, litigation and became a talking point in candidate schools on both sides of the political aisle.
According to the Oklahoma City Journal Record newspaper, Oklahoma's ruling involved an agreement between Muskogee County and Energetix that said if the company could not obtain all of the easements needed for the water line, the county would use its power of eminent domain to condemn the sites.
Oklahoma lacks a law or court ruling that allows the taking of property for economic development purposes. An Oklahoma initiative petition, circulated after last year's Kelo decision, asks voters to restrict eminent domain even more.
Local news
Economic development doesn't qualify, court says
- Local news
-
-
Theater’s the scene for Norman marketing director
Nancy Coggins landed a job with a prestigious Oklahoma City advertising agency before the ink dried on her OU journalism diploma. The job was a first rung on her career ladder and she admits that it didn’t call for her creative talents. ...
-
New jail to install curtains
The F. DeWayne Beggs Detention Center, though still in its infancy, is getting a facelift: new curtains....
-
Businesses go the extra mile for Valentine’s Day
Among the various images the phrase “Valentine’s Day” might conjure in one’s mind, probably the most immediate is the iconic dozen roses and heart-shaped box of chocolates....
-
New rehabilitation, skilled care center will be next to HealthPlex
StoneGate Senior Living President and CEO John F. Taylor announced Friday that his company has completed the purchase of approximately 6.7 acres of land in the Norman Regional Health System’s Medical Park West project at NW 36th Avenueand ...
-
Mystery performance provides theatrical fatal attraction
James Briggs has a pretty steady day job with the city parks department, doesn’t live anywhere near Little River and probably never owned or slept in a hatchback. He doesn’t usually wear sport coats that are two sizes too small, either ...
-
'Get the Lead Out' annual children's art festival enters 10th year
Longfellow Middle School had a special “GLO” about it Saturday morning....
-
County prisoners moved to new jail
Cleveland County sheriff’s deputies began moving prisoners from the detention center adjacent to the courthouse to the new F. DeWayne Beggs Detention Center at Franklin Road and U.S. 77 early Saturday morning....
-
School board elections Tuesday
Voters go to the polls Tuesday in four Cleveland County school districts. Cleveland County Election Board Secretary Jim Williams said this will be the first election using the new voting system. Polls will open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on ...
-
Identity theft crackdown sweeps nation
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service and the Justice Department recently announced a national sweep cracking down on suspected identity theft perpetrators as part of a stepped-up effort against refund fraud and identity theft....
-
Darry Stacy seeking county commission seat
Darry Stacy, a fifth generation Oklahoman and lifelong resident of Cleveland County, announced Friday that he will be a Republican candidate for the District 2 Cleveland County commissioner seat....
- More Local news Headlines
-
Theater’s the scene for Norman marketing director
