Reynolds should sign eminent domain bill

This is a modern story of greed and selfishness happening right here in Iowa today.

Just as I finished reading Sen. Amy Sinclair’s misleading comments about the property rights’ bill (HF 639) my phone rang. This was a robo call from an organization funded by a megacorporation urging me to ask our governor to veto HF639. I’ve received several mailings from well-funded lobbying groups using fear tactics essentially saying “all industry will suffer, ethanol production will cease, etc.” if HF639 becomes law.

Those who stand to make billions of dollars in one of the craziest tax-funded boondoggles ever are now spending millions of dollars with their “fear” campaign. I’m sure most people reading this have seen the mailers or heard the ads saying basically “the sky will fall if HF 639 becomes law.”

Have you wondered why you haven’t heard much from the other side (those opposed to the wealthy taking other people’s property for their own profit)? It’s because the regular Iowans who will be impacted if the governor vetoes this bill cannot afford such lavish media campaigns. They are people like you who are trying to live their lives, run their businesses, farm their land, raise their families.

One day about 5 years ago they received letters demanding that they sell part of their property or have it seized by eminent domain. They attended meetings, studied the proposals, learned of the “kill zones,” and discovered that the entire scheme was simply to line the pockets of the investors with your tax-dollars.

To set the record straight — HF 639 simply puts “guardrails” around the process of eminent domain, the legal means to take your property for a public project. Eminent domain is used for roads, utilities, schools, and other projects that have a clear public use.

This bill clarifies terms such as “common carrier” and “commodity.” It requires the company to prove it meets the standard of common carrier moving a commodity before eminent domain may be considered. It mandates that the Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC) give better public notice of the proposed projects and requires at least one member of the IUC be present at public hearings, so they hear from Iowans firsthand. (I’ve been to several public hearings with NO voting commission member present). The bill requires the company to secure insurance to cover any damage resulting from their project and it allows those who may be impacted indirectly to participate in the process.

HF 639 does not stop any project that is currently proposed but it does apply these protections for Iowans who may be impacted.

If the IUC ruling stands, and HF 639 fails, any property is in danger of taking by eminent domain — simply to enhance a company’s bottom line. Some believe this is only a rural threat, but it isn’t. if the governor vetoes HF639, your home could be next.

The Iowa House and Senate both passed HF 639 to protect property rights in Iowa. The vote was bipartisan, with a majority of Democrats joining the majority Republicans. Meanwhile, 44 Representatives and Senators joined me in a lawsuit against the IUC for their inappropriate rulings.

Now the final decision comes down to Gov. Kim Reynolds either signing or vetoing the bill. She is getting enormous pressure from wealthy interest groups and corporations who will reap billions of taxpayer money if she vetoes it.

Gov. Reynold’s has the opportunity to leave a legacy of being a fearless leader who put Iowans first, or she can be remembered as the governor who succumbed to mega-corporate pressure and “sold out” to corporate greed. Please join me in asking her to sign HF 639.

Republican state Rep. Cindy Golding represents District 83.