We need your immediate support for an amendment to the Texas Constitution that will reestablish the property rights protections for Texans.
The Property Rights Organization of Texas (ProTexas) is a coalition of groups and individuals singularly dedicated to protecting the property rights jeopardized by the U.S. Supreme Court’s appalling decision in Kelo v. City of New London.
As a result of the action of five unelected Supreme Court justices in Kelo, Texans can no longer rely on the U.S. Constitution to protect their property from misguided government officials willing to sacrifice one of the most basic American rights under the guise of “economic development.”
Fortunately, the Supreme Court also ruled states are not precluded from “placing further restrictions on its exercise of the takings power.” The Court left the door open for state legislatures to take action. Citizens from across Texas called for our Legislature to do just that.
Thanks to ProTexas and its partners, Texas lawmakers got the message loud and clear. With the passage of Senate Bill 7 our legislature responded quickly to this crisis. Lawmakers have taken a necessary first step to protect Texans from misguided government officials willing to tread on private property rights under the guise of economic development. Governor Perry’s leadership in adding the issue to the call of the last special session gave the legislature another chance to assure that hardworking families and small business owners in Texas would not have their property seized and given to someone else for private use.
The swift passage of this legislation in both the House and Senate is an indication of the importance of this reform. Senators Janek and Nelson as well as Representatives Woolley and Corte are to be commended for their leadership moving the legislation through the House and Senate and on to Governor Perry’s desk. Governor Perry’s signature returned private property rights to their proper place in the lexicon of protected freedoms in Texas.
While ProTexas believes the most effective long-term approach to protecting Texans on this issue remains as an amendment to the Texas Constitution, we are confident that the legislation passed in the last special session and signed into law by Governor Perry will serve as an adequate short term defense until a constitutional amendment is passed. We are grateful to all our members and partners for their help in focusing attention to this problem and to our Legislature and Governor for acting in the best interests of Texans.
