More bad news for Texas land-grabbers

Eminent Domain Bill Sent to Governor Perry:

The government's power to take private property for economic development would be limited under a bill approved today by the Texas Senate.

The eminent domain measure now goes to Governor Rick Perry, who says the bill provides common sense protection for every private property owner. Perry last week added the issue to the call of the special session on school finance.

The Senate's 17-to-6 vote of approval came as any hope of passing a school finance measure appeared to have faded for good. The bill was filed in response to a June U-S Supreme Court ruling in a Connecticut case. That decision lets governments take land for private development to generate tax money.

Texas is one of at least 25 states that have considered changes to eminent domain laws this summer.