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2005-06-23 Alert
Body Blows
Dear OCVA Members, Friends & Supporters,
We've all been so focused on the Legislature that we sometimes forget to look at other important events that affect our lives.
Today, the rights of Oregonians took two body blows. First, as you've probably seen in the media, the U.S. Supreme Court, in a bitterly-split 5-4 decision, ruled that cities can take your property for just about any reason they can dream up, as long as they can call it "economic development." Previously, there had to be a demonstrable "public benefit" to such takings (called "Eminent Domain").
This was a horrific decision that hopefully will generate such outrage it will force Congress to act.
As if that weren't enough, Oregon's Land Use Board of Appeals has ruled that cities have every right to annex streets and roads to intentionally create "islands," in order to forcibly annex the enclaved areas.
Government gets away with committing outrage against a few because the many are not immediately affected and therefore don't care enough to speak out in protest. These two decisions are part of a disturbing and growing pattern of power grabbing by governments at all levels.
But I'll end with what I hope is good news: The Speaker and the Senate President have both signed HB 2484. Governor Kulongoski can now either sign it...which of course we hope he does..., allow it to become law without his signature, or use his veto pen. Hopefully by now you've all contacted him. I continue to believe we can reduce the risk of a veto by getting Section 3 of SB 887B changed as we've been discussing. Please continue to lobby your senators to get this done.
Jerry Ritter
This page last modified on 2005-11-16 08:29.
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