Opinion: Legislative session marred by missed opportunity on property rights

The 2020 regular session of the Missouri legislature is one we will remember for many years.

The greatest pandemic in a century flared up just as we reached the heart of the schedule, where most of the hard work on legislation gets done. Once the legislature reconvened from an extended COVID-19 recess, some important items ended up on the chopping block in the scramble to the finish.

Property rights are as important to farming as any legal protection. This fundamental right has been under assault in northern Missouri for several years. A private, investor-owned company has sought the governmental power of eminent domain to take away land from residents. The company, Invenergy, plans to build a for-profit wind energy transmission line called the Grain Belt Express.

Thousands of Missourians have fought against this company’s effort to take land by force at cut rates. They contend, and we agree, that private merchant transmission lines should have to negotiate with landowners and buy easements at freely negotiated rates. This would simply mirror what is done for owners of the land on which the wind turbines sit that actually generate the line’s electricity.

The Missouri House of Representatives passed property rights protections early in session. Unfortunately, in the final weeks of session, a handful of senators prevented the bill language from coming to a final vote. These actions are very disappointing to Missourians who expect their elected representatives to fight for their rights. Allowing eminent domain to be used in this way sets a very dangerous precedent for our state.

Some of the Missouri Farm Bureau’s other priority issues saw more success. Broadband internet access has never looked more essential than in the past two months. All Missourians need affordable, reliable access to the information age now. Progress toward this goal received a boost with the passage of House Bill 1768. The bill will extend the Missouri Broadband Grant Program and allow the state’s economic development tools to facilitate broadband access.

The legislature approved a ballot proposal to restore fairness to the redistricting process. If voters approve, the plan would draw concise and contiguous districts while keeping communities of interest together. Rural and urban communities should each have their own distinct voices. They should not be divided and silenced for the benefit of partisan politics.

The sharp drop in tax revenue caused by this spring’s economic contraction forced legislators to cut $700 million from the budget. We appreciate the legislature being mindful of the needs of agriculture throughout the process. The approved budget included $20 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funding to support meat processing facilities.

Gov. Mike Parson, his administration and the legislature all rose to the occasion to address the impacts of COVID-19. As we move forward, the Missouri Farm Bureau will continue to fight for the unresolved issues in any special sessions and the 2021 regular session.

Eric Bohl is director of public affairs for the Missouri Farm Bureau in Columbia, and BJ Tanksley is the organization’s director of state legislative affairs. They can be reached at eric.bohl@mofb.com and bj.tanksley@mofb.org.