Oregon House gets it right: OK's "right-to-build-law."

In a startling legislative development, the Oregon State House of Representatives today voted out a "good little bill," wherein landowners are entitled to build houses on property based on the laws, rules and regulations in effect at the time the property was purchased.

What a concept.

Government has a nasty habit of changing the rules whenever and however they desire. Never mind that these rule changes frequently decimate land values AFTER purchase, gutting retirement plans, causing dramatically increased housing costs and the like.

Here, the government of the state of Oregon has taken a first, simple step to redress this issue. While I believe that Oregon Governor Ted "Taxandgougeme" will break his wrist vetoing the bill, nevertheless the gesture is not lost on millions in the Pacific Northwest.

Tip o' da hat to ORBUSMAX.

House OKs `right-to-build' bill
3/16/2005, 3:49 p.m. PT
By CHARLES E. BEGGS The Associated Press

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Landowners could build houses on their property if they could have done so when they bought the land — but later had their plans blocked by government regulations.

That's according to a bill approved by a 39-20 vote Wednesday by the House. The measure now goes to the Senate.

"This sends a message to the people that we've heard their pleas" for land use law changes, said Rep. Dennis Richardson, R-Central Point, sponsor of the bill.

Some people who have bought land with plans for a home on it have had their building rights revoked without notice or hearings, Richardson said, "because the government decided it knew best."

He said the bill is a narrow measure that just restores people's rights to build single-family homes on their land.

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