The U.S. Supreme Court decision in Kelo v. New London, Conn.—affirming the right of governments to use the power of eminent domain to take private property for private economic development projects—was the most controversial condemnation case in decades and set off a firestorm of criticism. By the end of 2006, more than half of the states had enacted eminent domain reform legislation in response to Kelo, and several additional states have enacted legislation this year.