Property Rights and Eminent Domain

      "If I work all my life to pay off my piece of land, giving up bologna sandwiches and RCs, and anybody comes to take my land from me, he had better bring his gun, a preacher, and his mother because he is going to need a lot of help."
                     – Otis "Bullman" Hensley.

      I respect private property rights. Private property rights and individual freedom form the foundation upon which our economy and our way of life are built. A private property owner should be able to determine whether or not he will permit smoking, or the possession of guns, on his property. Government bans on smoking in private establishments is an unacceptable infringement of private property rights in my opinion.

      I will do anything in my power as Governor to prevent the abuse of the government's power of eminent domain. "Public use" does not include economic development in my opinion. The power of eminent domain should not be used to help a private developer acquire land for his project, and government should not allow itself to be used as a tool to help a private developer save money.

      If you or anyone you know is being forced to give up property for a development, send me a letter. I want to know about it.