The Hill: Property rights are fundamental to a free society — and to conservation

This op-ed was coauthored by Brian Yablonski.

Property rights are the foundation of a free society. They enable each of us to live according to our personal values and to pursue happiness in our own way, provided we don’t violate anyone else’s rights. That’s why the federal Constitution and every state constitution explicitly protects our rights to own, use, and sell property. Yet government officials frequently seek to violate these rights for political expediency, to benefit special interests, or to settle scores.

In Montana, conservative legislators have proposed a bill that would bar nonprofit organizations from purchasing land from willing sellers at a fair price.

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