We have called out Senator Cindy O'Laughlin before, regarding her inability to be honest, and also questioned her motives. Well, here we go again with Senator O'Laughlin showing her true colors. To recap: O'Laughlin used her company to financially benefit off of the High Prairie Wind project. When she was contacted with concerns regarding property rights and how this project was affecting non-participants' property rights, it became clear, very quickly, that her only concern, was her own bottom line.
The StopPATH WV Blog covers all things transmission lines and has spent a considerable amount of time into researching, following and blogging about the Grain Belt Express. Recently, they posted a new blog. We follow the Grain Belt Express and the current push for changes to eminent domain laws in Missouri because it absolutely applies to the wind energy issue. This excerpt really stuck out:
"There was a debate on this provision on the Senate floor last week when Sen. Brown attempted to amend it on a bill. Much to MCGA’s frustration, several Republican and Democrat senators stood up to block the provision. This important legislation is also still attached to Senate Bill 662; however, this bill has not yet been assigned a conference committee. In addition to supporting these pieces, MCGA staff is working hard to safeguard against detrimental provisions during a time when tracking legislation and interacting with elected officials is challenging to say the least.
Say what? Several Republican senators stood up to block the legislation? Who are these senators? Word is that they are the "Conservative Caucus Republicans." According to this article:
The caucus includes Sens. Eigel, Hoskins, Cindy O’Laughlin, Andrew Koenig, Bob Onder, and Eric Burlison.
Why would these Republicans be blocking legislation opposed by big Democratic campaign supporter Michael Polsky of Invenergy? If the legislation is blocked, Polsky will be able to increase his profits from the Grain Belt Express by acquiring private property cheaply using eminent domain. I wonder if he will use his increased profits to fund future Democratic campaigns? Maybe even future opponents of the Conservative Caucus?" __________________________________________________________________________ Senator O'Laughlin, what are you up to now? Do you think people won't notice? We told you we would be watching you, we don't trust you. Why would you be against limiting eminent domain for private companies? Especially, when you, yourself stated that many of your constituents had spoken out against the use of eminent domain for these massive transmission projects. We believe the answer is, as previously stated, that Senator O'Laughlin is looking out for her own personal interests and possibly the interests of particular donors. By supporting massive transmission lines and wind energy projects, her company, she personally, profits. Senator O'Laughlin, your greed and bias are showing.
There are people who think that Senator O'Laughlin should run for Governor.
So, just so we are all clear:
2015: O'Laughlin fully supports the Grain Belt Express because, "This project (The Grain Belt Express) would be a huge boon to our concrete and trucking company in Northeast Missouri."
2019: O'Laughlin applauds herself and toots her own horn with, "I recently presented legislation to protect Missourians from eminent domain abuse, relating to the Grain Belt Express Transmission Line. I want to make sure all Missourians, especially the ones I represent, are protected against unfair usage of eminent domain, or even to be forced to sell an easement to land that they do not want to sell," (this is beyond laughable, for her to try to pretend like she actually represents her constituents).
2020: O'Laughlin gets caught, as part of the Conservative Caucus Republicans, blocking the bill regarding eminent domain and the Grain Belt Express.
It could be a full time job attempting to keep up with Senator O'Laughlin's stance on issues:
We don't discuss politics often here, but this has nothing to do with party lines. It is purely and simply - corruption, greed and an insult to rural Missourians.
Update 5/27/20: http://stoppathwv.com/stoppath-wv-blog/missouri-eminent-domain-and-sneaky-legislators