Keokuk, IA – One Southeast Iowa lawmaker says this Friday's special session of the state legislature is an unprecedented event. State Representative Phil Wise (D-Keokuk) says this will be the first special session, during his 20 years in office, that was called for by the legislature, instead of Iowa's Governor. The move is in response to Governor Tom Vilsack's decision to veto the eminent domain legislation, which was overwhelmingly approved by lawmakers. Wise says the Governor's veto caught many off-guard. Vilsack has proposed his own eminent domain legislation, which includes the creation of a state office of Ombudsman for Property Rights. Wise says the chance of a compromise, now, is slim, especially with an election just months away. He says the chances would have been better if Vilsack had voiced his concerns during the Spring legislative session. Wise expects just one vote in the House, to override the veto, which he believes will pass by a wide margin. He says the evenly-divided Senate may not even hold an override vote, which would allow the veto to stand.
Upcoming Special Session Unique
