Osborne v. Wilmington

Summary

Hearing on motion to stay proceedings.

Senate Bill 194, sponsored by Laurel Democratic Sen. Robert L. Venables Sr., sailed through the Senate on a unanimous vote and moves to the House for consideration.

Venables' one-sentence bill states that government cannot use its power to condemn private property if its purpose is "to primarily generate public revenues through private land owners."

That wording renders the bill almost toothless, said Ed Osborne, who owns an auto repair shop in South Wilmington that is on the city's list for potential eminent-domain condemnation.