is opposing a nice-sounding bill, the Celebrating America’s Heritage Act:

The continuous public outcry in response to the Kelo v. the City of New London decision demonstrates the opposition by a majority of Americans to government abuse of protected private property. This legislation continues the Kelo trend by creating six new national heritage areas, including the controversial Journey Through Hallowed Ground. Additionally, the bill would reauthorize funding for nine existing heritage areas and expand the boundaries of three heritage areas.

And not that it’s Roscoe Bartlett day here in the Corner or anything, but he’s against it too:

When I first heard of the 175-mile Journey Through Hallowed Ground [which is part of the bill], I wondered why I didn’t think of it first. I support creating a National Heritage Area to protect the historic sites and promote tourism in the four-state region between the Gettysburg Battlefield in Pennsylvania and Monticello in Virginia. The heart of the journey would run primarily along Route 15 from the Mason-Dixon line to the Point of Rocks bridge through Maryland in Frederick County and Washington counties that I am privileged to represent. It also includes the Antietam National Battlefield, site of the bloodiest one-day battle in U.S. history.
I have consistently stated and testified on both Sept. 28, 2006, and March 8, 2007, that any federal legislation to create a National Heritage Area should retain local control of its management by Marylanders concerning sites in Maryland. I also believe that if the value of land is reduced as a result of actions by the management entity, than affected property owners should be compensated at fair market value. I further believe that it is both unwarranted and unnecessary to spend $15 million of taxpayers’ money to protect and promote the Journey Through Hallowed Ground.