New Eminent Domain Proposal Further Divides City Council

EL PASO, TX – The abbreviated eminent domain proposal submitted by Land Grab Opponent’s lawyer Stuart Blaugrund further divided City Council Wednesday.

Blaugrund issued the proposal through Representative Melina Castro.

The proposal prohibits the use of eminent domain unless a property is seriously blighted and states the definition of blight should be left to the state.

Some council members tell ABC-7 the proposal is inappropriate and misleading.

El Paso Mayor John Cook stated, “Their suggested change yesterday was definitely an insult to my intelligence…that I wouldn’t catch it had the elimination of public purpose and I find it difficult to believe their high priced lawyer was notaware of that.”

City Representative Susie Byrd caught the omission and tells ABC-7 she is upset Blaugrund was allowed to write the proposal. “You should not have unregistered lobbyists writing ordinances forthe council… I think it was a very cheap political move … It’s like asking Asarco to write legislation on pollution,” she stated.

Cook stated the issue of what constitutes blight and the use of eminent domain will be left up to the state, which will take up the controversial issue sometime in the next two months.