73% of Mississippians voted in favor of an eminent domain
initiative earlier this month. Initiative #31 amends the Mississippi Constitution to prohibit state
and local government from taking private property by eminent domain and then
conveying it to other persons or private businesses for a period of 10 years
after acquisition. Exceptions from the prohibition include drainage and levee
facilities, roads, bridges, ports, airports, common carriers, and utilities.
The prohibition would not apply in certain situations, including public
nuisance, structures unfit for human habitation, or abandoned property. Mississippi is the 44th
state to restrict the use of eminent domain for private development.