The 91st session of the Iowa Legislature convened at 10am yesterday morning. Republican District 7 state senator Kevin Alons was involved in the battle over eminent domain last year, having sided with landowners opposed to having their property possibly taken by eminent domain for a carbon pipeline project.
Alons and other senators delayed a budget vote until a bill was passed, but Governor Reynolds vetoed the eminent domain bill. Alons expects a similar bill this session.
Alons disputes the claim that approving a carbon pipeline will raise the price of corn for farmers.
Alons says he will continue to stand by his perspective that property rights and the use of eminent domain have to fall within the constitution.
Democrat Caitlin Drey started her first session as a state senator in Des Moines yesterday. She was elected in a special election last summer to fill out the remainder of the late Rocky de Witt’s term representing District 1. Republicans hold a majority of seats in the Senate, and Drey has been assigned to a number of committees to serve on because of the fewer number of Democrats in that chamber.
She says economic development issues will be one of her main things to focus on for the Siouxland area.
Drey says she’s excited to get started and to represent the people of District 1.
