Eminent Domain Bill HB-63 is Dead.

The bad news is that the environmental committee voted down HB-63 which would have constitutionally prohibited Maryland government from taking private property from citizens for “public good” (as opposed to public use).

The small piece of good news is that the vote was taken after it was announced that it would be a Liberty Vote.  All of the Republicans on the committee supported the  bill along with Delegates Saqib Ali (D) and Delegate Michael Weir.

The Chairwoman stated in front of the whole committee that Delegate Ali voted for the bill because he was worried about his Liberty Scorecard vote. While everyone laughed, what it did tell me is that everyone is talking about the Liberty Scorecard and possibly thinking about how their votes in committee will be graded.

Thank you to everyone who called or E-mailed the members of the committee. Please take the time to thank those who did vote for this Liberty bill.