Yellowstone (TV Series)

Daybreak (2018)

Wendy Moniz: Governor Lynelle Perry

Quotes 

• Jamie Dutton : The state of Montana has never gauged its progress by the size of its cities. We measure our progress by how those cities impact the people and the land surrounding them, the land that feeds them, provides their water, nourishes their souls.

  Alan : This doesn't sound like a legal argument, Mr. Dutton. It sounds like a lecture.

  Jamie Dutton : Well, it's a summation of our state constitution, which clearly states that land preservation and property rights take precedence over public expansion.

  Alan : The constitution clearly denotes the state's right to eminent domain and grants the authority to condemn property for the public good.

  Jamie Dutton : For essential public services like hospitals, schools, highways... not housing developments.

  Alan : Housing is essential. Bozeman has doubled in size in a decade. We're thirty miles away, and our population is less than it was forty years ago. Why? - Because their fence guarantees we don't grow. Stagnation is death for a town, and the Duttons are the ones killing it.

  Governor Lynelle Perry : Well, poetic if it were true, since a Dutton founded the town. As it stands, the defendant is correct. Our land use laws are quite clear. For this commission to grant eminent domain, you must show public need, not desire.

  Committee Member : I think that's enough posturing. Let's put it to a vote.

  Governor Lynelle Perry : The plaintiff hasn't shown any legal imperative for a vote, so this case is dismissed.

  [GAVEL THUDS] 

  Alan : It's 30,000 acres, Jamie. That isn't a fraction of the ranch. Okay, look, you can harvest the timber first, no environmental review, nothing. You can cut every tree to the root.

  Jamie Dutton : You want to suggest to my father that he clear-cut his land, be my guest. You're a braver man than me.

  Alan : Just mention it, Jamie. The town grows, or it dies.

  Jamie Dutton : Well, maybe it should grow... up. Condos, Alan, like they have in San Francisco.

  Alan : Condos? Who wants to live in a condo in Montana?