A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision on a Connecticut city’s condemnation powers has sparked an emotional reaction among citizens concerned about government’s ability to seize private property.
From Congress to the Dane County Board to the state Legislature, the eminent domain issue has drawn attention from property-rights groups and opponents of big development.
“I call it the Wal-Mart syndrome,” said Donald Downs, a professor of political science at UW-Madison.