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This does not mean that property rights are absolute. There <br />must be a balance between the rights of private citizens to own <br />and use their property and the rights of the public to be free <br />from property uses that endanger health and safety. The public <br />must also have the authority to purchase private property for <br />public uses. <br />That balance currently exists in Oregon.Oregon law <br />(ORS 197.352) protects property owners’ rights to use their <br />property in the way it could be used when it was acquired, but <br />does not allow property owners to use their property in ways <br />that would create a nuisance or endanger the public’s health <br />and safety. <br />Measure 49 destroys that balance.Under Measure 49, state and <br />local governments will be able to enact land use regulations <br />that take the property rights of every private property owner in <br />Oregon without just compensation. <br />That means that your backyard can be declared “open space,” <br />your business property can be declared “wildlife habitat,” and <br />your farm can be declared a “scenic view.” <br />There is nothing wrong with these choices if they are what the <br />people of Oregon want. But it is wrong to demand that the <br />property owner bear the entire cost to provide these choices. <br />Under Measure 49, that is exactly what will happen. <br />Measure 49 is a significant change in Oregon law that <br />will fundamentally weaken the property rights of every Oregon <br />property owner. <br />Jim Huffman <br />(This information furnished by James L. Huffman.) <br />This space purchased for $500 in accordance with ORS 251.255. <br />The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by the <br />State of Oregon, nor does the state warrant the accuracy or truth of any <br />statement made in the argument. <br />Argument in Opposition <br />OREGON EMPLOYERS OPPOSE MEASURE 49 <br />As some of Oregon’s largest employers, we oppose <br />Ballot Measure 49. <br />Our companies employ thousands of Oregonians throughout <br />the state at family wages. Each of us has been in business for <br />decades in Oregon. <br />Our employees serve on the local school board. They coach <br />little league baseball. They sit by you at church. They shop in <br />local stores. Their children go to public schools. They pay taxes. <br />In short, we are part of your community. Many Oregon <br />communities were formed around our industries. <br />We believe that a fundamental key to a healthy economy is a <br />respect for the ability of every citizen to own and use property. <br />Without this ability, our companies would not be successful, <br />we would not have jobs for our employees, and we would be <br />unable to serve our communities. <br />Measure 49 strikes at the heart of your ability to own and use <br />your property. That is why we vigorously oppose it. <br />If Measure 49 is approved, the investments we make in our <br />companies and our property are in jeopardy. Measure 49 <br />allows government to take our property and businesses <br />without compensation. If our property is taken, so are <br />the jobs we provide. <br />What Measure 49 supporters fail to realize is that in a <br />competitive global market, one regulation can wipe out an <br />industry. Measure 49 makes it far more likely that such a <br />regulation will be adopted. <br />So while Measure 49 supporters call us names and ridicule us <br />for standing up for free enterprise and the right to use our <br />property in the manner we could when we purchased it, we’ll <br />continue to do what we can to defend every Oregonian’s right <br />to own and use their property. <br />Please vote No on Measure 49. <br />Aaron Jones, President, Seneca Sawmill Co. <br />Michael Fahey, President, Columbia Helicopters <br />Robert Freres Jr., Freres Lumber Co. <br />Joan Austin, Executive Vice President, A-dec <br />Steven Swanson, Swanson Group <br />(This information furnished by Aaron Jones, President, Seneca Sawmill <br />Co.; Michael Fahey, President, Columbia Helicopters; Robert Freres, Jr., <br />Freres Lumber Co.; Joan Austin, Executive Vice President, A-dec; <br />Steven Swanson, Swanson Group.) <br />This space purchased for $500 in accordance with ORS 251.255. <br />The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by the <br />State of Oregon, nor does the state warrant the accuracy or truth of any <br />statement made in the argument. <br />Argument in Opposition <br />ATTENTION SENIORS - MEASURE 49 WILL <br />RAISE PROPERTY TAXES <br />One of the hidden dangers of Measure 49 is the impact it will <br />have on your property tax bill. <br />Measure 49 allows government to pass new land use <br />regulations that destroy the value of private property. <br />For example, in 2004, Metro proposed to designate nearly <br />80,000 acres of private land in the Portland Metropolitan area <br />as “wildlife habitat.” If Metro would have forced cities and <br />counties in the region to adopt these designations, the property <br />value of the thousands of private property owners who were <br />affected would have been drastically reduced. <br />For the owners of the property, the impacts would have been <br />devastating. Their property would have been taken with no <br />compensation. <br />But you would have paid too. Your property taxes would <br />have been raised to make up the difference! <br />That’s what Measure 49 will do – allow government to take your <br />neighbor’s property without just compensation and force you <br />to pay higher property taxes at the same time! <br />Measure 49 is a bad idea! For more information, go to <br />www.oregonwatchdog.com. <br />(This information furnished by Jason Williams, Taxpayers Association of <br />Oregon PAC.) <br />This space purchased for $500 in accordance with ORS 251.255. <br />The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by the <br />State of Oregon, nor does the state warrant the accuracy or truth of any <br />statement made in the argument. <br />Argument in Opposition <br />If there’s only one thing that you remember about Measure 49, <br />remember this: If Measure 49 passes, state and local <br />government can and will take your home and property <br />without just compensation. <br />Senator Ted Ferrioli, Senate Minority Leader <br />Representative Wayne Scott, House Minority Leader <br />(This information furnished by Senator Ted Ferrioli, Senate Republican <br />Leader; Representative Wayne Scott, House Republican Leader.) <br />This space purchased for $500 in accordance with ORS 251.255. <br />The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by the <br />State of Oregon, nor does the state warrant the accuracy or truth of any <br />statement made in the argument. <br />Measure 49 Arguments <br />Official 2007 November Special Election Voters’ Pamphlet <br />53 | State Measures <br />continued September 24, 2018, Meeting - Item 3