Leaders unite to push rail, eminent domain
“Iowa Reps. Bobby Kaufmann, R-Wilton, and Dave Jacoby, D-Coralville, said Tuesday they’re working on a deal to earn support for two measures that have failed to pass at the Statehouse: $5.5 million in rail funding, a Democrat priority; and new eminent domain restrictions, a Republican priority.
Earlier this year, a bill with that language — which would make it harder for government authorities to seize private water and land for development — earned widespread bipartisan support in the Iowa House, but didn’t garner enough support from leaders in the Democrat-controlled Senate.
“There’s some concern from county government that it may limit their abilities to access things, but if you read the bill, they can still access water for utility purposes, but you can’t take someone’s land just to make a recreation area,” Jacoby said.
Jacoby said the rail and eminent domain policies aren’t related, but they have commonalities.”
Sullivan, Adam B. Iowa City Press Citizen 21 May 2013.