LIFE, LIBERTY AND PROPERTY: FOUR YEARS AFTER THE KELO DECISION
WEDNESDAY, June 10, 2009, 6:30 p.m.
Free. Reservations required. Please call 215.409.6700 or order online.
Annenberg Center for Education and Outreach
Kirby Auditorium
National Constitution Center
Independence Mall
525 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA
Join the National Constitution Center for a conversation about Kelo v. City of New London, four years after the Supreme Court's highly controversial 5-4 decision in favor of the government’s right to seize private property from one citizen and give it to another capable of generating higher tax revenues. As Nathan Koppel writes in the Wall Street Journal, “U.S. Supreme Court rulings on property law don't often serve as clarion calls to wide swaths of the population. But most rulings aren't Kelo v. City of New London.” Since the 2005 decision, 40 states have passed legislation limiting the state government’s power of eminent domain for economic development. In practice, however, solutions have proven elusive. Guests including investigative journalist Jeff Benedict and attorneys Brian Blaesser and Scott Bullock will discuss neighborhood, humanity, property and the freedom encompassed by eminent domain. Veteran Supreme Court correspondent Lyle Denniston moderates.
Eminent domain is the government’s Fifth Amendment power to take private property that benefits the public at large. For instance, it allows the government to make roads, schools, and hospitals, so long as it pays “just compensation” to the property owners for the loss.
Investigative journalist Jeff Benedict is the author of Little Pink House: A True Story of Defiance and Courage, which tells the story of Susette Kelo’s fight to save her New London home. Benedict is the author of seven critically acclaimed books. His articles have been published in Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Times, and the New York Times, and he frequently appears as an expert on network news and cable television programs. Benedict also teaches writing at Southern Virginia University.
Brian W. Blaesser is a partner at the law firm of Robinson & Cole LLP in Boston where he heads the firm’s Land Use & Real Estate Development practice. Mr. Blaesser formerly served as Special Assistant Attorney General for eminent domain actions brought by the Illinois Departments of Transportation and Conservation. In his current practice, he handles condemnation matters for landowners and developers and is the principal author of the book, Condemnation of Property: Practice and Strategies for Winning Just Compensation (Wiley Law Publications: 1994), and is the co-author and co-editor of the new American Bar Association book, Redevelopment: Planning, Law and Project Implementation (ABA Publishing: 2008) which includes a chapter on the “Use of Eminent Domain in Redevelopment.” He is also the author of “Eminent Domain for Private Gain? The Kelo v. City of New London Decision and Aftermath,” Planning & Environmental Law (Sept. 2005: Vol. 87. No. 9) and co-author of “Kelo-Provoked Changes to the Rules of Eminent Domain,” in the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Retail Law Strategist (June 2008). He has extensive experience in state and federal trial and appellate courts in real estate and land use litigation, including the takings issue, and is a member of the U.S. Supreme Court Bar.
Scott Bullock joined the Institute for Justice at its founding in 1991 and serves as a senior attorney. Although he has litigated in all of the Institute's areas, his current litigation primarily focuses on property rights and free speech cases in federal and state courts. He was co-counsel in and argued the landmark case, Kelo v. City of New London. His articles and views on constitutional issues have appeared in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, 60 Minutes, ABC Nightly News, National Public Radio, and many other publications and broadcasts.
Lyle Denniston, now in his 61st year as a journalist, has reported on the Supreme Court for 51 years and covered one fourth of the Justices ever to sit on the Supreme Court bench. Denniston is currently covering the Court for SCOTUSblog, an online clearing house of information about the Supreme Court’s work. He is the author of The Reporter and The Law: Techniques of Covering the Courts (Columbia University Press, 1992) and contributed two chapters to 100 Americans Making Constitutional History (CQ Press, 2004).
A book sale and signing will follow the program courtesy of Joseph Fox Bookshop. The garage at the National Constitution Center will be closed for this program. Parking for this event is available for $7.00 at the Independence Visitor's Center garage located on 5th Street between Market and Arch Streets. Parking availability is subject to change, so please call the Constitution Center on the day of the program or check our web site for more information. Please also see our directions by public transportation.
For reservations please call 215.409.6700 or order online. Programs at the National Constitution Center begin promptly and latecomers may not be admitted to the program. Please note that this program is subject to change.
Related Links:
Little Pink House