Smith on amendments

Sen. Fred Smith supports two proposed constitutional amendments.

A candidate for the Republican nomination for governor, the Clayton businessman told Dome that an amendment to limit eminent domain is needed to protect property rights.

"Who's going to decide when someone's home gets taken for economic development?" he said.

He also said an amendment to define marriage as between a man and a woman is necessary to give voters the opportunity to protect the institution.

"I believe that people should decide, not a liberal Superior Court judge," he said.

Smith sponsored a bill on eminent domain and another on gay marriage, but neither was voted on. A House bill has been sent to the Senate, but a gay marriage bill in the House died.