New London Decision May Pose Special Risk for Churches

Last Monday, the US Supreme Court decided the case of Kelo v. New London, which upheld broad eminent domain powers of state and local governments. (4 Justices dissented.) Now some religious leaders are suggesting that the decision poses special threats for religious institutions. In a report carried Friday by Beliefnet, Jared Leland of the Beckett Fund for Religious Liberty suggested that because properties owned by non-profit institutions do not generate tax revenues, they will be particularly attractive targets for local governments to take for economic redevelopment.