Vilsack Vetoes Eminent Domain Bill
Gov. Tom Vilsack will veto legislation today that restricts government from taking private property for economic development.The veto raises the possibility of a special session, both Vilsack and a Republican legislative leader said.
In a statement released today, Vilsack said House File 2351 does not maintain a proper balance between protecting private property rights and encouraging economic development that is vital to the state’s growth.
“While I would support a law aimed at preventing any unintended expansion of eminent domain authority, the restrictions in HF 2351 go too far,” said Vilsack. “We must recognize that protecting private property can be achieved without sacrificing job growth.”
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Vilsack had indicated Thursday he was wavering over whether to sign the bill. He said he was particularly troubled by a provision that allowed condemnation to proceed on a proposed ADM corn-milling plant expansion in Clinton but not on other proposed projects.
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House Speaker Christopher Rants said he was disappointed and suggested lawmakers may not take the governor’s “no” for an answer.“I think that this is one of those rare instances where a veto override is merited and I intend to speak with my members over the weekend and will have a decision on Monday,” Rants, of Sioux City, said.
The merits, and idea behind the bill were basically well-intentioned: provide protection for private property owners. What baffles me, however – why did the legislature (and that includes the House leader Chris Rants) add the exception for an ADM plant expansion? The bill would probably have been tied up in court until the next legislative session for that reason alone. I’m sure other developers would object to an ADM sweetheart deal – vetoing this bill may have been the right thing to do.
To be honest, I also don’t know much about any provisions relating to blighted areas – which is an issue that faces nearly every town in Iowa.