A dispatch from Virginia indicates that Governor McDonnell has signed legislation that will place a state constitutional amendment limiting the power of eminent domain on the ballot. Carten Cordell, VA Eminent Domain Bill to be on November Ballot, Virginia Statehouse News, April 9, 2012. Click here. The amendment forbids the use of eminent domain for Kelo-style takings of property for “economic redevelopment,” and provides for compensation for loss of profits suffered by business owners when land on which their businesses are located is taken by eminent domain.
Which seems reasonable to us. After all the Founders — who included a bunch of Virginians — operated on the outspoken premise that only that government is legitimate that operates with the consent of the governed.