A state legislator who’s running for congress is proposing a bill he says would reestablish property rights for Iowans. Representative Bill Dix, a Republican from Shell Rock, says a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling dealt a blow to property owners because it said cities or counties could seize property and turn it over to a private developer.
Dix says the public is fearful and sees the courts uniting with government to increase the powers of cities and counties when it comes to seizing private property. Dix says people shouldn’t have to live in fear that their property will be taken and bulldozed by a developer, and he’ll shepherd a bill through the Iowa House to ensure local governments do not have unlimited powers to seize property. “People are tired of campaign rhetoric and I’m running on a proven track record of results,” Dix says.
Dix has lined up 51 co-sponsors on the legislation, and predicts it will pass the House soon. A similar bill is making its way through the Senate. Dix is running against Quad Cities businessman Mike Whalen and long-time G-O-P operative Brian Kennedy of Bettendorf in the Republican primary for Iowa’s first district congressional seat. That seat is currently held by Congressman Jim Nussle, who is not seeking reelection and is running for governor.