I grew up along the border in the Rio Grande Valley, so I’m getting a kick out of these replies. Truth is the Valley is the most deep blue of areas in the state - more deep blue even than Austin. It’s been a Democratic bastion for decades. There’s no way Trump will get that land without really extensive litigation.
“It’s been a Democratic bastion for decades. There’s no way Trump will get that land without really extensive litigation.”
I agree that they will litigate, but I disagree that the Government can’t get the land without it.
Bottom Line is that the Government can simply take (condemn) the land they need. It is relatively common practice, and a firmly established power in law. The litigation can drag on for years over price, but construction can begin tomorrow.
That is really the point of me posting this article. The first such condemnation (taking) was just filed last Friday. My guess is that the contractor has already been issued formal Notice to Proceed, and will be arriving on site and breaking ground in the next few weeks. The (former) property owner can knock himself out pursuing lawsuits over price for the next twenty years - he is not getting that land back.
The Government has been contacting landowners in the RGV, doing surveys, preparing appraisals and making offers all year - even earlier. They are ready to execute.
We are now getting to the point in the program schedule that construction must begin. Contracts have been awarded. Environmental waivers have been issued. Contractors are incurring costs hiring crews, purchasing materials and so on. The President has been briefed on the holdouts, and reportedly directed that they take the land.
In recent weeks, there have been reports that Government attorneys had been preparing the actions for filing.
Now it has started happening. The squealing will grow louder over the coming weeks. Merry Christmas to all!