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Millions spent on land-use measure
Both campaigns make final push on Measure 49; polls show 'Yes' votes lead
November 2, 2007
MITCH LIES
Capital Press
Dave Hunnicutt has crossed the state the past six weeks campaigning for Oregon voters to defeat Measure 49.
"I've been from Brookings to Pendleton and all parts in between," he said.
But Hunnicutt, leader of the No on 49 campaign, is afraid he may be running out of time.
"For us, it's just a question of trying to get that message out there to as many people as we can," he said. "Once people understand what the measure does, then they vote no."
Hunnicutt said earlier this week private polls conducted for the property rights organization he leads, Oregonians In Action, show Measure 49 passing.
"What I'm seeing isn't all that encouraging," he said.
Measure 49 scales back development options available under Measure 37, the property rights law Oregon voters passed in 2004.
Eric Stachon, communications director of the land-use planning watchdog 1000 Friends of Oregon, also has been traveling around Oregon in recent weeks. Stachon said he is confident the measure will pass.
"I was just in Eastern Oregon last week and was pleasantly surprised by the reaction of voters out there," Stachon said.
"I think our message is a winning message," he said.
Stachon believes Oregon Farm Bureau support for Measure 49 has helped the campaign generate support in rural Oregon.
"I think the fact the Farm Bureau is on board is an indication that this doesn't break down in the rural-urban split that conventional wisdom would have it," Stachon said.
Rural support "also is a reflection that some of the most major impacts of Measure 37 claims are in rural areas. Frankly, people get it," he said.
"People understand that Measure 37 has not played out the way they thought it would when they voted on it. It is creating concerns among farmers over their ability to continue their livelihood."
The two Measure 49 campaigns have spent close to $7 million in recent weeks trying to get out their message. The No on 49 campaign reportedly has spent about $2 million and the Yes on 49 campaign has spent just under $5 million.
If voters adopt the measure, Hunnicutt said OIA will continue forward with a lawsuit challenging the ballot title. OIA previously lost a bid to block the title under the premise it was misleading.
If successful, the organization could get election results thrown out.
If Measure 49 is defeated, meanwhile, many of the workings of Measure 37 will be left to state and county courts to decide. Currently more than 200 lawsuits are in place regardings the workings of Measure 37.
Regardless of how the election turns out, insiders note, it will be interesting to see whether lawmakers reconvene the Big Look Committee, which lawmakers created in 2005 to look into Oregon land use laws. Lawmakers defunded the committee last session.
Under either outcome, all agree, much still needs to be done regarding Oregon's land-use laws.
Oregon voters have until 8 p.m. Nov. 6 to get ballots to their county elections office.
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