After almost a year of arguing the dangers of NC’s eminent domain law to residents and legislators, Daren Bakst‘s quest to achieve real eminent domain reform for NC may finally be a reality. Thanks to the work of JLF’s State Policy Resource Center director Becki Grey, Daren’s hope that property owners may one day be protected from legal
government theft by virtue of a constitutional amendment, is a live
issue backed by bipartisan support. As JLF’s principal representative
at the legislature, Becki made sure that Daren’s suggestions for
eminent domain reform were heard, as the bill moved from committee to
committee, then to the House floor for debate and vote, and it’s
finally passage in the House.  It wasn’t just the House that has heard
Daren’s message, many local newspapers have heard his ideas for reform,
the most recent of which was Chapel Hill’s own Daily Tar Heel. 
If they’re carrying it, you know eminent domain has achieved bipartisan
support. Daren has also been a leading voice behind the removal of
forced annexation from local government’s toolbox. Appearing at a panel
discussion on the issue for Leadership Asheville and the NC Center for
Creative Retirement with forced-annexation proponent Ellis Hankins of
the League of Municipalities, Daren brought the pain. Currently, a
study commission and public hearing are in the works.  The JLF
has a seat at this table. Although Daren’s been the main proponent for
protecting citizens from eminent domain and annexation abuse, Mitch Kokai has done his share. His article on the eminent domain battle drew attention from Lockwood Phillips, who held an interview with him, recently.