Ken Schram: I-933 is an $8 billion disaster
SEATTLE - OK, so it's safe to say that people don't want the government telling them what they can do with their own property.
Of course, those same people are pretty quick to insist that the government best be there to help protect their property.
Oh, and while the state's at it. It'd probably be a good idea for government to help control growth, protect farmlands and be a conscientious environmental steward.
And that brings us to Initiative 933, the so-called "Property Rights" measure.
First word that pops into my head about 933?
Disaster.
In a nutshell: If 933 passes, it forces the state to go along with just about anything a property owner wants, OR, pay the property owner for not being legally allowed to do it.
Estimated cost to taxpayers?
About $8 billion.
That's because if current laws don't allow the government to waive existing land-use restrictions and/or regulations, the government has no other choice but to change the law, or pay the landowner.
Did I mention that bill could be upwards of $8 billion?
Look, we've got some property rights laws that have to be dealt with, possibly changed.
But Initiative 933 goes wayyyy beyond anything reasonable.
I'm voting no.
Have something to say to Ken? E-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com.
And be sure to join Ken, along with John Carlson, on "The Commentators", which airs every weekday from 9-Noon on AM 570 KVI.
It's a lively exchange of information, insight and perspective with two guys who don't agree on much, but still manage to enjoy each other as they tackle issues of the day. Even better, callers are invited in on the verbal action.
Of course, those same people are pretty quick to insist that the government best be there to help protect their property.
Oh, and while the state's at it. It'd probably be a good idea for government to help control growth, protect farmlands and be a conscientious environmental steward.
And that brings us to Initiative 933, the so-called "Property Rights" measure.
First word that pops into my head about 933?
Disaster.
In a nutshell: If 933 passes, it forces the state to go along with just about anything a property owner wants, OR, pay the property owner for not being legally allowed to do it.
Estimated cost to taxpayers?
About $8 billion.
That's because if current laws don't allow the government to waive existing land-use restrictions and/or regulations, the government has no other choice but to change the law, or pay the landowner.
Did I mention that bill could be upwards of $8 billion?
Look, we've got some property rights laws that have to be dealt with, possibly changed.
But Initiative 933 goes wayyyy beyond anything reasonable.
I'm voting no.
Have something to say to Ken? E-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com.
And be sure to join Ken, along with John Carlson, on "The Commentators", which airs every weekday from 9-Noon on AM 570 KVI.
It's a lively exchange of information, insight and perspective with two guys who don't agree on much, but still manage to enjoy each other as they tackle issues of the day. Even better, callers are invited in on the verbal action.
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