Eminent domain

Eminent domain is the process by which governments acquire private property for public use. The aim of eminent domain is to make sure property owners receive a fair price and that government doesn't have to pay more than a fair price. In recent years, however, eminent domain has been clouded by what many individuals see as abuses of the process.

Taking private property by government for development by private enterprise, for example, is one case that has been tested all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. In a key ruling the high court said this is OK in instances where there is some public benefit. Increased tax revenue and improving blighted areas are among those benefits, courts have held.

Missouri, like many other states, has taken steps to protect property owners from what many consider to be egregious overuse of eminent domain. Now a new round of initiative efforts are aimed at further restricting the process. A Missouri appeals court has cleared the way for initiative petitions, requiring about 155,000 signatures to appear on this fall's ballot, to be circulated.

On today's Perspectives page are two articles that take a more in-depth look at eminent domain. Both will help voters better understand this important issue.