Governor Calls For Timely And Deliberate Response to Measure 37

Governor Calls for Timely and Deliberate Response to Measure 37 Unveils legislation that creates an “express line” so small landowners move to front of line

(SALEM) - Governor Kulongoski unveiled legislation (Senate Bill 505) introduced at his request by the co-chairs of the Joint Land Use Fairness Committee, which establishes a first step toward addressing the flood of Measure 37 claims that have been filed in the final weeks of 2006. “Oregon is facing a crisis as the 180-day clock runs down – either allow these developments to proceed, with irreversible impacts on local communities, or pay compensation for speculative claims that we cannot afford to pay,” the Governor said.

“Measure 37 has unleashed an unexpected rush to development, and the legislature should act sooner rather than later to uphold what the voters intended when they passed this measure.” The Governor’s proposal aims to uphold what the voters intended through the passage of Measure 37 in 2004 by establishing a process, or an “express line”, for individuals seeking to build a home, allowing them to receive first priority to move forward with their claims.

All other claims will have a time out and maintain their legal standing to follow through with their claims while the legislature addresses the measure’s unexpected consequences. “Measure 37 promised fair treatment for landowners to build a home on property they bought for that purpose, but it has turned into a fast track for developers to build on land that was previously beyond their reach,” the Governor continued.

“We need to establish a time out period that is carefully designed to give priority to individuals seeking to build a home, lets all other claimants keep their place in line, and allows the legislature to review the measure to ensure its workings reflect the will of the voters.”

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steve February 15, 2007 8:43 pm (Pacific time)

and what about those who filed a claim then passed away before the 180 days. Why does the state benefit from there death

Jerry February 9, 2007 1:40 pm (Pacific time)

We don't need the Governor to tell us what we, the voters, intended to happen when we voted for Measure 37. We now have a law, by initiative, in place that says that, if the government wants to do something that affects the value of our land, they have to notify us prior to the implementation of the law or rule. Prior to the passage of this law that protects the landowner, the Government made laws witout notice. Measure 37 is an attempt to rectify this problem that existed before we protected ourselves by the initiative process. This law may have many unintended consequences, but it is a law that came in response to the Government refusing to deal with people's rights regarding their property. Most of us voted for measure 37 because this is a slippery slope. If you let the government abridge the rights of a few people, they will next abridge the rights of a few more. The Government has spent the last two years not coming up with a solution. Now an attempt is being made to once again subvert the will of the voters under the guise of once again trying to fix the problem by not fixing the problem. By taking away rights from at least a few more people. These are the older people who now have a legitimate claim, but that claim is negated by their death. These elders have had their hopes and dreams taken away many years ago and have done what measure 37 says they should do - spend more money and time to get what is promised to them. Now the Governor is asking the Legislature to stall in the hopes of changing the will of the voters.

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