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Va. Farm Bureau To Fight Eminent Domain Again In 2012

By: Jonathan Wilson // November 28, 2011
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Members of the Virginia Farm Bureau will determine the group's legislative agenda this week; the state's largest farm lobby is expected to once again lobby the state legislature to curb eminent domain taking of farmland in 2012.
Ed Yourdon (http://www.flickr.com/photos/yourdon/6346751803/)
Members of the Virginia Farm Bureau will determine the group's legislative agenda this week; the state's largest farm lobby is expected to once again lobby the state legislature to curb eminent domain taking of farmland in 2012.

The Virginia Farm Bureau will lobby the commonwealth's 2012 General Assembly to win passage of a constitutional amendment to limit the government's ability to take private land, according to the Associated Press.

The bureau, which is state's largest farm lobby, meets Tuesday through Thursday in Norfolk, Va. for its annual convention. Members will craft the group's legislative agenda at the convention, and the federation's voting delegates will vote on its 2012 legislative plan Wednesday.

Both chambers of the Virginia legislature approved a constitutional amendment in the 2011 session to more sharply define the concept of "public use." The amendment provides that private property can only be taken for public use, and would prohibit eminent domain actions for private enterprise, job creation, tax revenue generation, or economic development.

If approved again in the 2012 session, it would be on the ballot for voters' consideration in November.

The state farm federation's president, Wayne F. Pryor, tells AP the constitutional amendment would ensure "more land is not taken than is necessary."

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