Lawmakers Tread Lightly Near Measure 37

[unschooler]

SALEM, OR 2005-02-23 (Oregon Considered) - Some in Salem called Ballot Measure 37 the rhino in the kitchen. The property compensation measure approved by voters last November is widely seen as in need of amending by state lawmakers. Even its sponsors say they're willing to support some changes to the law. But no clear direction has emerged in Salem.

Ballot Measure 37 said that when land use or environmental regulations lower someone's property value, the government should pay compensation or waive that regulation.

With a 61% approval last November, no one in Salem is talking about tossing out the new law, even though as Democratic Senate President Peter Courtney put it to the Portland City Club last week, lawmakers will make a run at Measure 37.

Peter Courtney: Now, when I say make a run at it, I don't mean overturn it. Everybody got that? No, no, no. I may be liberal, but I'm not crazy.

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http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/opb/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=742883

[SlipperySlope]

1. I was on Oregon when this was passed...

The idea is to protect farmers from having the value of their land reduced by government regulation, unless they are compensated for that reduction.

It seemed to have pretty broad support.

I was for it, but just barely.

[unschooler]

2. I was against it. It messes up our environmental and land use

regulatory scheme. That being said, I can understand why farmers might be frustrated. I think we need to fine-tune our land use laws, not smash them to bits.

[sandnsea]

3. The idea is make millions on development

And sprawl the state from one end to the other. Farmers don't want their property valued highly while they're farming it, but want top dollar when they decide to sell. Can't have it both ways. It doesn't just apply to farmers either, in fact the only people I know who are taking advantage of Measure 37 so far aren't farmers. I voted no on this, the end to zoning and land use laws weren't worth it.