Olathe , Kan. – Former State Rep. Patricia Lightner, Republican candidate for Congress in the 3rd District of Kansas, today issued a clear statement in defense of the rights of private property owners to be clear from inappropriate governmental intrusion.
“Life, liberty, and property are the hallmarks of America . The rights to each are at the cornerstone of our country's foundation. As an elected official, it is my foremost duty to ensure those principles are defended every step of the way. Today, as a candidate for Congress, it is important I make it clear that my record will always be on the side of property owners,” said Lightner.
Lightner specifically referenced the infamous 2005 KELO Decision regarding eminent domain, in which a bitterly divided Supreme Court ruled governments forcibly transferring property from one private owner to another private owner for economic development were a permissible public use under the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment.
“The 2005 Supreme Court KELO ruling was a direct affront to private property rights in the Constitution, and I strongly believe it was wrongly decided. I fully support all efforts at the federal and state level to right this wrong,” said Lightner.
Lightner also took issue with the record of her opponents on private property rights.
“Nick and Kevin clearly side with intrusive government when it comes to eminent domain and private property rights,” said Lightner. “In 2006, they both had chances to take principled stands in favor of the right to property, and they both failed.”
During the 2006 Legislative Session, in reaction to the KELO ruling, there were measures proposed protecting private property rights. Kevin Yoder voted against a Kansas Constitutional Amendment which would have constitutionally protected private property rights.1 In the same year, Nick Jordan voted twice against legislation which prevents local governments from using eminent domain for private economic development without approval from the State Legislature.2 The latter measure passed both houses of the legislature and was signed into law.
Lightner said the right to life, liberty, and property cannot be separated.
“Again, it’s all about liberty. You can’t on one hand say you’re for liberty while voting to support government abuse of eminent domain on the other. The right to property is sacred in America , and it’s clear my establishment opponents don’t understand that.”
References:
1Yoder voted NO on HCR 5025 on March 23, 2006
2Jordan voted NO on SB 323 -- on March 21, 2006 and on May 5, 2006
