Is The Kelo Backlash Growing?
A property-rights backlash appears to be building across the country as a direct result of the Supreme Court's Kelo v. City of New London decision, writes the WSJ on their editorial page.
"As Justice Sandra Day O'Connor argued in dissent, this departed from 200 years of precedent and was an invitation for the politically powerful to use government as an ally against the weak. The one grace note was the majority's concession that 'Nothing in our opinion precludes any State from placing further restrictions on its exercise of the takings power.'
Next week's vote will show just how many Americans are taking up the Court's challenge. No fewer than 11 states (see nearby table) have ballot measures designed to limit government's ability to pilfer private property for someone else's private economic development. Eight initiatives would enshrine those restrictions in state constitutions, and polls show that most are headed for victories."
...At least three of these Kelo initiatives--in California, Arizona, Idaho--also include requirements that states compensate citizens for regulations that devalue property. These measures are, unfortunately, proving a harder sell at the polls, because state politicians are frightening voters with claims that such compensation would bankrupt states."
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Hacklash.
There is a PPR backlash because the property rightists must use deceptive tactics and half-truths to make their play.
In WA we have I-933, where the current ads are attempting to dupe the public by saying it won't be costly, because hey look at Oregon! It hasn't cost them a thing!! *heart*! This is true, but only because Oregon isn't paying claims due to lack of money.
Well, that's not totally true: they tried to pay a claim in Prineville, but the property owners wouldn't take the check. They were going to build in an area with protected views, by gum - it was their right to build a house there, and who cares if the view is ruined anyway?
Anyway, Oregonians are waking up to the bad news of their M37. It won't be long before these ballot initiatives get their own backlash & we won't have to talk about them any more.
Best,
D
majority of planning profession is sadly silent
It's been well-documented that these election issues could have a severe impact on our cities and the entire profession of planning, yet the majority of planners appear to be disappointingly silent.
Thank you to those planners who are helping on campaigns and educating the electorate about these dangerous propositions.
WAKE UP PLANNERS!!!! Only one more day to get the word out.
www.noprop90.com
Some Backlash
"Backlash" implies a popular reaction. The TABOR initiatives, manufactured by the Private Property Rights cabal, are by no means a popular uprising. The WSJ is merely a tool of the PPR cabal.
If this is backlash, the 100,000 Russians troops that suppressed the 1956 Hungarian people's uprising was a backlash.
Long Live the People's Revolution! Now clear the public square.
______________________
Stephen Lawton