Local Control of Land Use at Risk Under Trans Pacific Partnership(TPP)

The US Senate is currently in the process of granting the President fast track or expedited  authority to negotiate a trade agreement (treaty) between 12 counties (United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, and Singapore. Other countries could join later.)

A more in-depth discussion can be found at the following site.  http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2015/04/pending-trade-deals-undermine-zoning-local-land-use-rules.html

A key quote from the article gives some insight.  "A recently leaked draft of the TPP gives investors from member nations the right to sue when a decision by a local government “interferes with distinct, reasonable investment-backed expectations.

Panels of private lawyers chosen by the investors and the federal government will meet to decide the suits. If the investors win, the federal government must reimburse them for the loss of future profits."

If the Federal Government begins to lose to foreign investor groups and are required to pay for loss of future profits, it will only be a matter of time before the Federal Government takes control of all land use decisions.

Homeowners’ ability to control development in their communities is an entitlement that most people in the United States take for granted. But it is just the sort of local decision-making the TPP seeks to curb.

If you are concerned about this potential loss of local control, contact your US Senators and voice your concerns before it is too late.