Albany, NY -3/8/10:
Governor candidate Warren Redlich condemned the latest Atlantic Yards court decision. Justice Abraham Gerges upheld the seizure of homes and businesses so that developer Bruce Ratner can build apartments, office space and a sports arena in Brooklyn.
In Redlich’s view, Atlantic Yards is a symptom of the state’s problems: “Politicians reward and protect insiders, like we keep seeing in the Capitol. Eminent domain can be used, sparingly, when government takes private property for public purposes such as a road. But the Kelo decision and projects like Atlantic Yards grossly abuse eminent domain to benefit private developers connected with political leaders.”
While other states have acted to curb eminent domain abuse, New York’s legislators and governors have done nothing. New York taxpayers fund the violation of property rights in such cases as Atlantic Yards in Brooklyn and West Harlem in Manhattan, for the benefit of developers. Redlich would amend eminent domain laws to protect property owners.
Redlich also calls for abolishing the involved state agencies, including the Empire State Development Corporation and others. Eliminating “economic development” spending would save approximately $3 billion in the state budget.
ForestCityRatner has announced that it will begin groundbreaking on Thursday, March 11th. Public officials who have supported the project such as Governor Paterson, NYC Mayor Bloomberg, Brooklyn Borough President Markowitz, and others are expected. There will be a protest rally and Libertarians will participate.
Warren Redlich, a Republican member of the Guilderland Town Board, is seeking the Republican and Libertarian nominations for Governor. His position statement on eminent domain can be found at: http://wredlich.com/ny/issues/eminent-domain/
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Redlich for Governor 255 Washington Ave. Ext., Suite 108 Albany, NY 12205 www.wredlich.com/ny
