Jerry Brown's Eminent Domain Pledge

Debra Saunders got Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown's on the record pledge to go above and beyond the eviction responsibilities of Eminent Domain. Brown pledges to relocate two Oakland Auto Shop owners evicted last month. John Revelli, who owned and operated Revelli Tires, and Alan Fung who ran Autohouse, were paid about $100 per square foot plus relocation costs in exchange for closing their businesses and giving up their land, against their will. But finding new spaces in this real estate market will be tough. According to Saunders:

The mayor also made a pledge: "It's not easy, but I personally pledge to do everything I can to get this guy [Revelli] located." Fung, too.

Brown is running for California Attorney General. I'm sure many will watch and see if he keeps this pledge.

Meanwhile, California state Senate Republican Tom McClintock (R-Thousand Oaks) and Democrat Dean Florez (D-Shafter) are working on legislation limiting Eminent Domain's reach. At the national level, a bipartisan alliance of Richard Pombo (R-CA) and Maxine Waters (D-CA) is working on similar legislation.