Business Organization Calls on Lawmakers to Maintain Eminent Domain

The 2006 session of the General Assembly is underway, with eminent domain expected to be one of the major issues addressed by lawmakers. And, a leading business group is calling on legislators to adopt a controversial position. The report of the Eminent Domain Task Force, calling for greater protection for private property, now awaits legislative action. Dan Mehan, President of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, is trying to convince lawmakers to avoid eliminating eminent domain as an option. He says eminent domain is a valuable tool in economic development and must remain a viable tool. Mehan realizes this is a controversial issue, but says the Chamber must stand for what it believes is in the best interests of economic development in the state. Mehan adds that while eminent domain must be preserved, there is room to make changes to the details surrounding amounts and promptness of payments associated with these takeovers.