Kelo V. The City of New London: What Does It Really Mean‪?‬

INTRODUCTION MUCH INK AND AIR TIME WAS SPENT ON THE PRONOUNCEMENT OF THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT that local governments have the right to acquire private property for redevelopment purposes with the ultimate intent to convey it to another private enterprise for a private use. While the ruling seems to have taken many by surprise, a number of state supreme courts have long held that the proposition of local governments taking private property for the purposes of private redevelopment was not only legal but should be encouraged. What are the ramifications of this decision and what should be the public policy when it comes to redevelopment?