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Legal TREND. The US Supreme Court & Pipelines

The US Supreme Court may consider the Mountain Valley case.

What’s Mountian Valley about? Landowners are claiming the natural gas pipelines used eminent domain unconstitutionally because land is taken in states in which there is no benefit realized.

How did the landowners fare at the 4th Court of Appeals? landowners lost but because the court’s didn’t have jurisdiction not on the constititional issue.

 Washington Post | Landowners ask Supreme Court to hear Mountain Valley case

Eminent Domain = Crony Capitalism Economic Development. 3 examples

 

  • increased economic activity from eminent domain projects are not always realized
    • for example, the land taken in Kelo v. New London remains vacant
  • In Wisconsin eminent domain is being used for a FoxConn economic development project
    • After the use of eminent domain, the same taxpayers will subsize FoxConn salaries 17 cents on the dollar
  • the border wall showcases that not all landwoners are receiving adequate compensation amind allegations tha tonly wealthy landwoners are being…

CAMPAIGN TREND. Property Rights Proposition with Broad Repercussions.

Colorado voters in Novmebr 2018 will vote on an Amendment  which concerns private property rights of whether drilling can occur near neighborhoods has broad implications:

  • Colorado’s  top  oil  and gas drillers  are  subsidiaries  of  Texas companies
    • The companies have contibruted millions opposing the campaign
  • Oil and gas service companies will be impacted, many of which are home to other states
  • Investors impacted: financial services & private equity groups 

Red River Radio | Colorado…

Lege TREND + Legal TREND. Gov. Sues Attorney General over AG Opinion on Conservation Easements.

Where: Montana

What did this Attorney General Opinion say that prompted  a lawsuit by the Governor?

  • state land board is required to vote on all but the smallest conservation easements that state agencies proposed

Why is this a big deal?

  • Impacts a state program supporting Hunting & Fishing
  • Impacts private property rights by limiting use of ranch land

Missoula Current | Bullock sues AG Fox over approval authority for conservation easements

Local TREND. Opposing Eminent Domain that benefits Developers. WHERE. What. HOW.

WHERE: East Brunswick New Jersey

WHAT: A policy proposal by Republican Candidates for Council and sitting council members to stretch to the tax dollars by limiting “giveaways” to developers

HOW: By prohibiting eminent domain to benefit developers

East Brunswick Neighborhood News | East Brunswick Republican Candidates Release Plan to Stretch Tax Dollars

Campaign TREND. Anatomy of a Eminent Domain and Pipelines in a Congressional Open Seat. Who.Where. What.

Who: Lewis (D) and Cline (R)

Where: Virginia’s open Congressional District 6 being vacated by a (R).

What eminent domain views?

  • The D opposes both eminent domain and raises concerns about pipeline safety
  • The R supports Pipelines but wants federal legislation that:
    • limits the use of eminent domain to projects that “would be necessary for the government to provide an essential service.”
    • offers more publiuc input in the pipeline permitting process

WSLS | News 10| What you need to know…

Campaign TREND. Buzzwords supporting eminent domain reform.

A West Virigina Congressional race features opposition to eminent domain for a pipeline with messaging that

  • shows conservatives and liberals agree in their opposition
  • the public sees no benefit when their land is taken for a pipeline
  • the public sees no benefit when, gasp!, the gas moves overseas

When is eminent domain permissible to the candidates?

  • “clear and strong public benefit”
  • no revolving door from oila nd gas agency oversight to oil and gas industry work

WVTF | 9th Congressional…