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State Representative Patti Fritz
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-8237
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
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HOUSE PASSES EMINENT DOMAIN REFORM AND GOPHER STADIUM
St. Paul, MN - Deliberations on the House floor went late into the evening on Thursday as Representatives debated and voted on two key pieces of legislation, eminent domain reform and the Gophers stadium bill.
State Rep. Patti Fritz (DFL-Faribault) voted yes for both bills, answering the call to strengthen protection rights of property owners, and creating jobs with the construction of a new stadium at the University of Minnesota.
The eminent domain reform legislation was prompted by a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that allows local governments to take private property and hand it over to another private party, unless prohibited by state law.
"This decision by the Supreme Court has raised a lot of concerns in our state," said Fritz. "If a property owner keeps their property in good shape, the local government should not have the power to take it away from them."
The bill prevents any local government from using eminent domain power to take property for the purposes of private economic development. It does make exceptions for properties that are heavily blighted, abandoned, an environmental hazard, or a public nuisance. It also preserves using eminent domain for public uses such as roads and bridges. Additionally, homeowners who contest eminent domain cases and win will receive attorney's fees.
"There are many instances when the use of eminent domain is just and necessary," said Fritz. "This bill protects that, while at the same time offers private property owners more assurance that their property won't be seized."
Fritz added that the bill also protects the rights of small businesses, which are a mainstay of outstate Minnesota.
The eminent domain bill received strong bipartisan support and passed on a vote of 115 in favor and 17 against.
The Gopher stadium bill, which passed on a vote of 103-30, approves $235 million in state contributions over a 25-year period for the building of an on-campus football stadium at the University of Minnesota. As part of the deal, the U will sell the state a 2,840-acre nature preserve in Dakota County. Other funding for the stadium will come from parking fees, private donations and sponsorships.
It is anticipated that in addition to football, the stadium will be used close to 200 days a year for other sporting events and activities.
"This new stadium will create hundreds of jobs in Minnesota," said Fritz. "It's also nice to support the rich tradition of the University of Minnesota; a new stadium will provide economic growth by attracting students to the school and fans to the campus."
News Items
- STATE REP. PATTI FRITZ PARTICIPATES IN START OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION - (Posted: Jan 9 2013 3:32PM)
- Rep. Fritz: Homeowners, Farmers Need Property Tax Relief - (Posted: 2012-05-01 00:00:00)
- Rep. Fritz: Let’s Vote on a Bonding Bill that Benefits All - (Posted: 2012-04-19 00:00:00)
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