Its supporters claim it's in favor of private property. But its real goal is to reduce private property rights in Oregon. Oregon voters in 2007 overwhelmingly voted to shift more control over property from the government back to private owners. Measure 49 seeks to move us back towards increased government control. The Bible doesn't give private owners absolute right over their property. This can be seen in gleaning laws and, for instance, in Deuteronomy 23:24,25, a portion of Moses' sermon on the Ten Commandments that deals with the Eighth Commandment - Thou shall not steal. But these exceptions presuppose that the Bible gives the bulk of control of land to private citizens.

Governments can and should exercise some minimal control over what people do with their land. But it's bad government that changes how property can be used and then resists efforts to fairly compensate the owners. Measure 49 would create undue government control over property. And, in effect, it would let government steal value from private citizens.

Its supporters claim it's just and equitable. But its passage would create injustice. After the passage of Measure 37 in 2007, a significant number of landowners began the process of recovering the lost value of their property from government entities. The process is complicated and involves significant costs to the property owner. Measure 49 mandates that all these property owners have to start all over again, losing the money they have put into the process so far. This is unjust. It's changing the rules in the middle of the process. Not only would thousands of Oregonians lose all the money they have put into current claims, they would be charged another $5,000 just to file again! It also is unjust because it would mean different laws for urban property owners and rural property owners. The Bible emphasizes justice, and having one law for all citizens.

Measure 49 actually began with a lie. Its Legislative backers told the news media that it was the result of a compromise between those in favor of current property rights and those opposed. But it wasn't. Legislators who support current property rights were "hopping mad" when the backers of Measure 49 told the press it was a joint effort. One of these Legislators says that Measure 49 is tricks, not a fix. Measure 49's supporters did an end-run around those who favor current private property rights, and squeaked it through the Oregon Legislature by a single vote. Measure 49's supporters also avoided the normal procedure for ballot measures. They had no public hearings on this Measure. And they passed a law that mandated a ballot title that misleads Oregon voters.

Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. The Bible places a very high priority on straight talk and honest speech. Jesus says in John 8:44 that the devil is a liar, and those who lie are his followers. When we speak deceitfully, we are speaking like the devil. When we speak truthfully, we are speaking like Jesus. Measure 49 began with deceit, uses a deceptive ballot title, and deceit is the basis for its promotion. We urge its defeat.

This voters' guide produced by Parents Education Association, PAC.