ECONOMICS REPORT - Local Officials in U.S. Gain New Strength

ECONOMICS REPORT - Local Officials in U.S. Gain New Strength to Take Land for Development
By Mario Ritter

Broadcast: Friday, July 01, 2005

I'm Gwen Outen with the VOA Special English Economics Report.

 
O'CONNOR LEAVING SUPREME¹ COURT - Justice Sandra Day O'Connor informed President Bush on July 1 that she will retire, once a replacement² is nominated and confirmed. She was the first woman, and one of only two, on the Supreme Court. President Ronald Reagan nominated her in July 1981. Justice O'Connor, 75, became known for the moderate opinions she wrote in many cases. She often was the deciding fifth vote on social issues that divided the court. Her announcement surprised many people. The Supreme Court term ended June 27 without any announcement on the future of Chief Justice William Rehnquist, who has thyroid cancer. The retirement³ of Justice O'Connor creates the first opening on the Supreme Court in 11 years. President Bush says he hopes to have a new justice confirmed by the Senate before the court returns in October. 
On June twenty-third, the Supreme Court decided⁴ an important case about property rights in the United States. The ruling will permit local governments to take private property for economic development. This is how the case developed:

In nineteen ninety-eight, officials in New London, Connecticut, announced plans to redevelop an area of the city. Soon, the drug company Pfizer decided to place a research center in New London. This was good news for a city with years of economic difficulties.

In two thousand, officials expanded the economic development plan to include property along a river. They said the project would create more than one thousand jobs.

But the project needed land. The city of New London was able to buy about one hundred properties in the development area. However, nine people who owned fifteen properties refused to sell. The city said it would take the properties under eminent⁵ domain⁶.

Eminent domain is a power that governments have to seize property in some cases.

The Fifth Amendment⁷ to the Constitution permits governments to take private property for "public use," if there is fair payment.

State courts in Connecticut ruled that the city could take the homes. The owners appealed to the United States Supreme Court. They argued that the project did not represent a "public use." Private companies would develop the office space and other buildings proposed.

The case divided the court. Four justices supported the owners. However, the other five supported the city. The majority ruled that the city could use eminent domain to take the properties after paying a fair price.

Justice John Paul Stevens wrote the majority opinion. He noted⁸ that governments may take land for public projects like roads. Justice Stevens said projects that help a community grow economically also serve a public purpose.

However, he said that states could restrict the use of eminent domain if they choose.

In a dissent⁹, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor argued that governments now could take land simply by claiming it for economic development. She said any private property could be given to another private owner, so long as it might be improved.

This VOA Special English Economics Report was written by Mario Ritter.  I'm Gwen Outen.

1 supreme   

adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的

参考例句：

• It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。
• He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。

2 replacement   

n.取代，替换，交换；替代品，代用品

参考例句：

• We are hard put to find a replacement for our assistant.我们很难找到一个人来代替我们的助手。
• They put all the students through the replacement examination.他们让所有的学生参加分班考试。

3 retirement   

n.退休，退职

参考例句：

• She wanted to enjoy her retirement without being beset by financial worries.她想享受退休生活而不必为金钱担忧。
• I have to put everything away for my retirement.我必须把一切都积蓄起来以便退休后用。

4 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

5 eminent   

adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的

参考例句：

• We are expecting the arrival of an eminent scientist.我们正期待一位著名科学家的来访。
• He is an eminent citizen of China.他是一个杰出的中国公民。

6 domain   

n.(活动等)领域，范围；领地，势力范围

参考例句：

• This information should be in the public domain.这一消息应该为公众所知。
• This question comes into the domain of philosophy.这一问题属于哲学范畴。

7 amendment   

n.改正，修正，改善，修正案

参考例句：

• The amendment was rejected by 207 voters to 143.这项修正案以207票对143票被否决。
• The Opposition has tabled an amendment to the bill.反对党已经就该议案提交了一项修正条款。

8 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

9 dissent   

n./v.不同意，持异议

参考例句：

• It is too late now to make any dissent.现在提出异议太晚了。
• He felt her shoulders gave a wriggle of dissent.他感到她的肩膀因为不同意而动了一下。