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Editor, The North Country Gazette:
I am writing in regard to an article published on April 4, 2006, entitled “NYSBA Wants Commission to Study Eminent Domain”. http://www.northcountrygazette.org/articles/040406NYSBADomain.html
Last October, Assemblyman Richard Brodsky (D-Greenburgh) introduced a legislative package on eminent domain consisting of five bills, which includes a bipartisan two-house bill that creates a temporary state commission to study the state’s eminent domain laws as suggested by the NYS Bar Association. (A.9060/S.6216)
The commission would be directed to study and recommend reforms to the state’s eminent domain laws. For example, the commission would determine who has the power of eminent domain. Currently, NYS allows quasi-public entities to employ eminent domain, such as public authorities, industrial development agencies and local development corporations. These institutions are shielded from traditional public scrutiny, which allows them to use eminent domain without public debate and broad community support.
Assemblyman Brodsky has led the fight on reforming the state’s eminent domain laws. In 2004, he authored the first reform of New York’s eminent domain laws in 25 years which provided that affected property owners receive written notice of any required public hearings on eminent domain proceedings as well as informing owners of their legal rights.
Assembly Brodsky’s legislative package will reform New York State’s eminent domain laws in a way that strikes the correct balance between the needs of society and individual liberties.
Jim Malatras
Chief of Staff
Office of Assemblyman Richard Brodsky
© 2005 North
Country Gazette
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