Governor: Church property rights at risk
By Allen Palmeri
Senior Writer
January 24, 2006
JEFFERSON CITY – Gov. Matt Blunt chose to reach out to Missouri Southern Baptists and other religious citizens of Missouri who are concerned about a recent eminent domain ruling by the United States Supreme Court when he made reference in his Jan. 11 State of the State Address to churches being at risk of losing their property to developers.
Blunt, whose home church is Second Baptist, Springfield, said he was offended by the ruling in the Kelo v. City of New London, Conn., case, which allows governments to take private property for the use and profit of private interests.
“This ruling was wrong,” the Republican governor said. “For example, churches and places of worship across our state that contribute immeasurably to society but generate no tax revenue should not fear the forced sale of their land.”
Kerry Messer, lobbyist, Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) Christian Life Commission (CLC), was thrilled that the line made it into the governor’s speech. CLC Chairman Rodney Albert also noted its significance.
“The governor understands churches are also very vulnerable to seizure for economic interests,” Albert said. “It is a major breakthrough that a key government leader would understand our vulnerability.”
Blunt appointed a task force to study the issue and lay the groundwork for meaningful reform in the 2006 General Assembly. The governor made it clear in his address, in a line that resulted in a standing ovation, that he expects lawmakers to pass a good bill that he can sign into law.
“I believe the work of my task force on this issue provides the Legislature with a sound basis for ‘fixing’ the Kelo decision and ensuring that eminent domain abuses in Missouri are forever ended,” he said.
Citing Luke 12:48, the governor closed his address by reminding all the public servants in attendance that they have a sacred responsibility to do the very best for the citizens of Missouri.
“As we tackle other issues ahead, we should keep in mind the words of the Bible that ‘to whomever much is given, much will be required,’” he said. “We have been blessed as a people, as Americans and as Missourians. We have a moral obligation to set very high expectations for the future.”