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Our Constitutional Right to Property
Under the United States Constitution, the right to own private property and be free from government interference is fundamental to our free society. I support laws that respect property owners’ fundamental right, and oppose unwarranted takings of private property for private gain by government fiat.
Any
government taking of private property for necessary government needs
such as public roads or rail projects must be subject to a transparent
public process, high legal standards, and a full appeal system.
Substantial impairment of a private use of property such as re-zoning
to protect environmental interests must be treated as a taking of
property requiring government compensation. Owners must be compensated
for taken property at objective market value, not just the fraction of
market value that all too often is offered, effectively robbing
citizens of their property.
