9 States Approve Eminent Domain Measures

from WDIV Detroit TV 4

Land use was a hot issue for voters in this election.

It was part of backlash against a 2005 Supreme Court ruling allowing New London, Conn., to buy up homes to make way for a private commercial development.

Nine states, including Michigan, approved eminent-domain measures to bar or restrict the government from taking private property for a private use, while California rejected the idea.

Arizona's winning measure went beyond the others, requiring state and local authorities to compensate property owners if land-use regulations lowered the value of their property. Idaho rejected a similar measure.