Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Mike Huckabee on Property Rights
Huckabee would have signed Iowa property rights measure
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
ANKENY (Iowa) — Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said if he were Iowa’s governor, he would likely have signed into law a measure slapping new restrictions on the ability of local governments to seize property for economic development efforts. Huckabee, who was in Iowa on Monday testing waters for a potential presidential run in 2008, said eminent domain is ‘‘one thing if the government is taking land after a very thorough process to build something of public interest.
‘‘When government takes private property for the benefit of private entities and individuals that is really a threshold that once we cross we have a hard time getting back, and I think there’s a lot of angst I hear about it,’’ he said.
Huckabee spoke at a news conference as he wrapped up a three-day swing through Iowa, where precinct caucuses traditionally launch the presidential nominating season. Gov. Tom Vilsack vetoed a measure putting restrictions on property seizure, arguing that it would interfere with local economic development efforts. The Legislature has called itself back into special session on Friday to attempt to override that veto, and Huckabee said he ‘‘heard a lot about it over this weekend.’’ Asked if he would have vetoed the measure, Huckabee said ‘‘I doubt that I would have’’ while conceding ‘‘I have not read the bill specifically.’’
The issue hasn’t arisen in Arkansas, he said, but a U.S. Supreme Court decision last year may put it on the political agenda there. Ruling a Connecticut case, the high court in a 5-4 decision said local governments can use the power of eminent domain to seize private property for economic development efforts. In that case, private homes were taken to be converted to hotels, resorts and other facilities designed to boost the local economy. Throughout the country, state legislatures have scrambled to erect new property rights protections, and Iowa was no exception.
Huckabee said there’s been no reason to deal with the issue in Arkansas, in part because of a strong tradition of property rights. ‘‘I know that is a very sensitive issue in Arkansas and most places,’’ he said. ‘‘We haven’t had to do anything because we’ve never had a situation that I’m aware of where we’ve taken private property for a private development.’’
The high court’s decision could change all that, Huckabee conceded. ‘‘When the Supreme Court came out with that ruling there was a lot of anxiety, there was a sense that there may have to be legislation drafted to make sure it doesn’t happen,’’ he said. Huckabee, who is leaving office next year, is spending time testing the waters for the potential of seeking the Republican presidential nomination.
Note: Special thanks to the Times-Republican.
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By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
ANKENY (Iowa) — Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said if he were Iowa’s governor, he would likely have signed into law a measure slapping new restrictions on the ability of local governments to seize property for economic development efforts. Huckabee, who was in Iowa on Monday testing waters for a potential presidential run in 2008, said eminent domain is ‘‘one thing if the government is taking land after a very thorough process to build something of public interest.
‘‘When government takes private property for the benefit of private entities and individuals that is really a threshold that once we cross we have a hard time getting back, and I think there’s a lot of angst I hear about it,’’ he said.
Huckabee spoke at a news conference as he wrapped up a three-day swing through Iowa, where precinct caucuses traditionally launch the presidential nominating season. Gov. Tom Vilsack vetoed a measure putting restrictions on property seizure, arguing that it would interfere with local economic development efforts. The Legislature has called itself back into special session on Friday to attempt to override that veto, and Huckabee said he ‘‘heard a lot about it over this weekend.’’ Asked if he would have vetoed the measure, Huckabee said ‘‘I doubt that I would have’’ while conceding ‘‘I have not read the bill specifically.’’
The issue hasn’t arisen in Arkansas, he said, but a U.S. Supreme Court decision last year may put it on the political agenda there. Ruling a Connecticut case, the high court in a 5-4 decision said local governments can use the power of eminent domain to seize private property for economic development efforts. In that case, private homes were taken to be converted to hotels, resorts and other facilities designed to boost the local economy. Throughout the country, state legislatures have scrambled to erect new property rights protections, and Iowa was no exception.
Huckabee said there’s been no reason to deal with the issue in Arkansas, in part because of a strong tradition of property rights. ‘‘I know that is a very sensitive issue in Arkansas and most places,’’ he said. ‘‘We haven’t had to do anything because we’ve never had a situation that I’m aware of where we’ve taken private property for a private development.’’
The high court’s decision could change all that, Huckabee conceded. ‘‘When the Supreme Court came out with that ruling there was a lot of anxiety, there was a sense that there may have to be legislation drafted to make sure it doesn’t happen,’’ he said. Huckabee, who is leaving office next year, is spending time testing the waters for the potential of seeking the Republican presidential nomination.
Note: Special thanks to the Times-Republican.
