06/01/2007
CONTACT: Mandy Minick, 614-221-4107
SB 7 would protect the rights of private property owners
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- All or part of the following statement may be attributed to Ty Pine, legislative director of the National Federation of Independent Business/Ohio, the state's leading small-business advocacy association, regarding action by the Ohio Senate today to approve Senate Bill 7 to strengthen Ohio's eminent domain laws:
"The Ohio Senate action today to approve Senate Bill 7 is a victory for Ohio's small-business owners and property owners. After much litigation, study and deliberation, the Senate has passed strong legislation that provides comprehensive protections against abusive eminent domain tactics that threaten the rights of every property owner in the state. We are particularly pleased that the Senate bill includes reasonable standards for blight and compensation that includes attorney fees. Senate Bill 7 provides clear and unambiguous standards for determining blight and appropriately eliminates the antiquated urban renewal blight factors that had not been eliminated by the Eminent Domain Task Force recommendations. Today, Ohio's business and property owners are one big step closer to breathing a sigh of relief in the knowledge that their rights are protected and their property is safely theirs."
