http://www.calitics.com/...
Proposition 90 does far more damage than Eminent Domain could ever do
by: SFBrianCL
Sun Aug 20, 2006
$2.3 million. Out of $2.4 million. From 3 donors. Yup, that's a real ground swell. What do these groups expect to get from this money? Well, let's look at what they are really hiding.
Prop 90 aims to drastically curtail government regulation...to the detriment of society.
What is the "plus" in these initiatives? Libertarians and property-rights activists believe that many common government regulations on real estate, such as zoning and subdivision limits, take away property value. Therefore, they say, government should either compensate the owners or back off.
{snip}
Libertarians and property-rights activists persuaded Oregon voters to approve Measure 37 in 2004. Oregon had the nation's toughest land-use regulations, and some loosening-up was needed, but Measure 37 blew huge holes in Oregon's system. It allowed many longtime landowners to escape regulations for protecting landscapes, the environment and neighborhoods.
Despite delays in Measure 37's implementation caused by court fights, Oregon property owners have already filed about 2,700 Measure 37 claims, aiming to develop about 143,000 acres. The claimants demand that governments either waive land-use regulations or pay nearly $4 billion in compensation. In almost all of the 700 or so claims settled to date, governments have waived the regulations. (SF Chron 8/20/06)
So, look what a similar initiative in Oregon did for the state: 2700 Claims. $4 Billion. 143,000 more acres devoted to rampant development. Sounds like a great plan. In another example cited in King's op-ed, a farmer wanted to subdivide his farm for 280 houses on a plot that was zoned agricultural. Because of Measure 37, the state was essentially unable to afford the defense of the zoning and eventually just gave up. In the end, the real loser with Measure 37 has been the people. The government is a resource for pooling political power. It enables a large majority to prevent activities on the land of others that it deems inapproriate for the area. It's a great thing. Would you really want your neighbor who owns 5 acres to build a giant junkyard on your land? No, and that's where zoning and other governmental regulations come in.
The backers of this initiative aim to create a state where development knows no bounds and the pursuit of individual wealth trumps the greater good. And after what we've seen in Oregon, it's time to rebuff them. It's time to say that we will not accept any more of these government deconstruction initiatives any more. It's time to say No to Howard Rich and his cronies.