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Stop Taking Our Land (STOP) is the campaign organized by the American Farm Bureau Federation to assist state Farm Bureaus to counter eminent domain laws being used to confiscate private property for increased tax revenue.
STOP is a multi-faceted campaign of information and tools to help state Farm Bureaus' organize their efforts to push for legislation countering the Supreme Court ruling in Kelo v. The City of New London, Conn. Congressional legislation has been introduced that would cut off funding for local governments to use eminent domain for economic benefit, but most other changes will have to be made at the state and local level or grassroots, which is a proven success of Farm Bureaus.
The Supreme Court in its ruling said the Constitution allows states to take private property for economic development projects, even though many people thought the Constitution would not allow it. The court ruling allows governments to condemn land for projects that might generate higher tax income, not just for improved public services.
The court also said states can enact laws disallowing the taking of private property for economic benefit. Many states do not have such laws; therefore, change is necessary, STOP materials can be used to spur changes in state law. Several STOP tools have been created and more will be forthcoming.
Information directed to the general public is being placed on the general Farm Bureau Web site, www.fb.org.
