New Eminent Domain Study Discussed At Press Conference

Attorney General McKenna & House Majority Leader Kessler To Discuss Legislative Reform Efforts at Capitol Wednesday

WHO: Washington Policy Center, Institute for Justice-Washington Chapter, Attorney General Rob McKenna

WHAT: Release of "A False Sense of Security: The Potential for Eminent Domain Abuse in Washington"

WHEN: Wednesday, January 3, 9 a.m.

WHERE: Capitol Building, Senate Rules Room (2 nd Floor, Next to Lt. Governor's office) Olympia, WA

 

Olympia - Washington Policy Center (WPC) along with the Institute for Justice will release its new study "A False Sense of Security: The Potential for Eminent Domain Abuse in Washington" at a press conference in Olympia, Wednesday, January 3 at 9 a.m. The press conference will include Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna and House Majority Leader Lynn Kessler, who will be available to take comments and answer questions regarding proposals for reforming eminent domain in the next legislative session.

Also included is study author William R. Maurer, Executive Director of the Institute for Justice Washington Chapter and WPC Adjunct Scholar, WPC President Dann Mead Smith, state legislators and property owners who are affected by eminent domain abuse. The property owners who will participate include John Fujii (owner of Sinking Ship Garage, Seattle), Carol Colleran (Burien property owner) and Kwan Fong (Southeast Seattle property owner).

"A False Sense of Security: The Potential for Eminent Domain Abuse in Washington State" highlights real Washington state property owners' experiences with the abuse of eminent domain in Washington. The study also addresses the failure of Washington courts to hold local governments to the strict standards of the Washington constitution and includes three recommendations needed for reform.

For more information on the press conference or the study contact Lyndsey Hartje at (206) 937-9691 or lhartje@washingtonpolicy.org.