If Statehouse Republicans decide to make it tougher for the Indiana Stadium Building Authority to take land from the NK Hurst Bean Company they could get some help from across the aisle. Some lawmakers were furious the authority filed an eminent domain against NK Hurst, knowing that tougher laws were on the way. House Democratic Leader Pat Bauer says if they can legally make the tougher laws retroactive, his party will go for it. House Speaker Brian Bosma says the issue is still under review. Governor Mitch Daniels says he’s hopeful the two sides can work things out, but he doesn’t have a problem with toughening Indiana’s eminent domain laws.

Posted: 01|3|06 at 3:12 pm by Abdul Hakim-Shabazz
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Is there more to the eminent domain conflict involving N.K. Hurst than meets the eye? There could be. Sources tell me that at least one member of the Indiana Stadium Building Authority warned the group about filing suit against N.K. Hurst. I’m told Authority member John Mutz, the legislative appointment to the board, cautioned the members that filing suit would be seen as an end run around the legislature and lawmakers would be fit to be tied. And remember, this is an election year. The vote total whether to proceed with eminent domain is still unclear at this point. I plan to find out later today. It will also be interesting to get the insights from State Rep. Jeff Espich and State Sen. Luke Kenley. They sit on the Authority in an advisory capacity. Stay tuned…

Posted: 01|3|06 at 9:34 am by Abdul Hakim-Shabazz
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