Measure 49: Time to Start Seizing Land?

As was widely predicted by the No on 49 campaign, the government has begun seizing land from everyday Oregonians in earnest, thanks to the passage of Measure 49. Or... maybe not. Blogger Alan Pittman at the Eugene Weekly discusses the campaign's claims:

The No on 49 campaign warned before the election that if the measure passed:

"If the government wants your property for open space, a scenic view, wildlife habitat, or some other government use, M49 allows them to take your property for free."

After the overwhelming vote for the measure, does this now mean that citizines can add the Wildish Land to Mt. Pisgah park for free? Can citizens now get a park in the Amazon headwaters for free? Can we now seize the timber baron and land speculators' mansions for homeless shelters?

Of course, the timber and land barons that funded the misleading No on 49 campaign may now want to point out the truth: the federal and Oregon Constitutions protect them from property seizure without just compensation.

Read the rest and comment over at Alan's Blog.

Nov. 07, 2007 Posted in elsewhere.