EP 050 More than Dirt: What Eminent Domain Misses

When government projects require land, the conversation usually stops at the appraised value. But for preserved farmland and local businesses, what’s at stake goes far beyond the price of the property. In this episode, Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York) discusses her legislation to ensure that when preserved farmland is taken through eminent domain, taxpayers and farm families are made whole for the long-term investment placed in that land. Sen. Cris Dush (R-Cameron, Centre, Clinton, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, Potter) outlines his legislation to recognize the loss of goodwill - the customer base, reputation, and operational value that businesses lose when forced to relocate. Together, they highlight a simple point: a farm is not just acreage, and a business is not just a building. Both hold value that deserves to be recognized.