Endorsements

Erosion of ownership rights

Property rights are under assault on at least six different fronts, from all branches and levels of government. The only encouraging news is that a seventh front - the beachfront property of Supreme C

PLF scores win in fight to save Puget Sound homeowner’s property

The Washington Court of Appeals this week handed a major victory to a Lummi Island homeowner, represented by Pacific Legal Foundation attorneys, who has been blocked by county officials from protectin

No economic reality for Redford

Robert Redford is an example of the human species at its finest — rich and good-looking, I mean — so naturally he would never consent to live in anything so tawdry as a "subdivision." During his vi...more

Experts: County should focus regulatory energies on upland areas rather than shorelines

An estimated 300 islanders crowded into Friday Harbor High School's Hall Gym on Tuesday to hear a panel of well-credentialed experts take issue with the state's best available science and pending chan

65% Taking Declared Illegal

County Sued in Federal Court

The County of Santa Barbara isn’t in the clear yet when it comes to litigation from Adam Brothers Farming, Inc., which had a lawsuit filed in federal court on its behalf by attorneys from the Pacific

Can't Keep Them Down on the Farm

Rural King County residents are fighting back against environmental restrictions imposed by Seattleites. And they’ve just won a key battle.

Limitations put on challenges to growth

A Supreme Court ruling limits the ability of outside groups to challenge past growth decisions in Thurston County, a decision that has ramifications for property owners, developers and environmentalis

Rural property owners win one

Almost four years ago, urban area members of the King County Council launched an outrageous assault on property owners in the unincorporated areas of rural King County.

Over opposition from some o

Court rules against KC land clearing regs

In a July 7 decision, a panel of three Court of Appeals’ judges ruled that King County’s land clearing regulations, which are part of the so-called Critical Areas Ordinance that became effective in 20

King County's rural-land restrictions go too far, court rules

In a case that could determine how far local governments can go in limiting forest-clearing across entire watersheds, a state appeals court ruled Monday that a King County law went too far.

Rural p

Landlords may be held accountable for drug houses

RENTON, Wash. - King County may soon push for landlords to be held accountable in helping to shut down drug houses.

Councilman Reagan Dunn is pushing for an ordinance that would require landlords

Eminent domain measures' battle ends

A pitched battle between two ballot measures promising eminent domain reform - one of them backed by the California Farm Bureau - came to an end this week, with California voters choosing Proposition

Old law lets developers use old rules, thwarting Puget Sound protection, critics charge

On a forested parcel of land in Burien, above streams, wetlands and steep slopes, a new condo development is being built.

When it's done, the Westmark Development Company's Emerald Pointe condos, p

Paying landowners to protect Puget Sound

Everybody, it seems, wants to save Andrew Albert's farm.

The 90 acres of green hay fields and barns near Arlington hug the Stillaguamish River, which, with some restoration, could be home to abunda

The Cascade Agenda: a new conversation

The Cascade Land Conservancy is welcoming 1,800 of its closest friends to breakfast today. The annual awards program — the 13th — combines honors and coveted recognition of community leaders with the

‘Smart growth’ plan met with opposition

Two dozen ranchers, contractors and real estate agents—most from the North County — asked county supervisors this week to delay or, preferably, kill the county’s long-awaited “smart growth” proposals,

Pilot project, or land grab?

The King County Council's comprehensive plan committee held a meeting last week at Snoqualmie Middle School to take input from the public on several proposals. The change proposed for Snoqualmie Valle

Support landowners who keep their property in forestry

Conversion of forestland is at an all-time high and accelerating.

The main force behind this is the difference in the value of land for development, versus growing timber.

Property rights are lawyer's passion

Hanging in the Sarasota conference room of law firm Brigham Moore is an earth-tone print of six Plains Indians seated and standing around a table with a parchment copy of the U.S. Bill of Rights in th

Forget global warming: Welcome to the new Ice Age

Snow cover over North America and much of Siberia, Mongolia and China is greater than at any time since 1966.

Big land deal, big questions

When the government sells public land, the law usually requires competitive bids so taxpayers get the best deal.

But King County is bypassing that rule for one of its largest land sales in recent y

Permanent burn ban planned in rural areas

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, which is in charge of air-quality laws in the three counties, announced Monday that it is planning to impose a permanent ban on burning related to land clearing and a

Let ferry users pay

I sent the following letter to each member of the King County Council regarding the taxes that will be levied to support the creation of the new ferry district and surprisingly, received only one repl

$36.8 million award for undevelopable land

Half Moon Bay city officials said Thursday they are stunned by a federal judge's order that the city pay a landowner $36.8 million for coastal property the court says the city damaged.

Bigger floodplain, bigger worries

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is in the middle of a dramatic revision of the country's floodplain maps that could curb development on several billion

Proposal jeopardizes future property rights

What's Measure 49 really about? The future. If Measure 49 passes, that future is bleak.

King County raises taxes to rebuild levees

King County residents will pay an additional $32 million in property taxes next year to rebuild levees that protect low-lying areas from floods.

Property rights group forms to fight Upper Sims project in Port Townsend

PORT TOWNSEND - A property rights group has formed to fight a proposed redesign of Upper Sims Way and creation of a taxing district to finance the project.

Property rights battle rages in Bonney Lake

The rights of private property owners are being debated in Bonney Lake these days.

A little "donut hole" creating a big problem for Maple Valley

MapleValley marks its 10th anniversary this week. The desire for self-determination of how the Maple Valley area would develop, and frustration and disagreement with the vision that King County held f

Higher taxes? Court clears way

Homeowners in some parts of the state could see larger local property-tax increases as the result of a state Supreme Court ruling on Thursday.

U.S. Sues Property Rights Ranchers Over Grazing on Federal Lands

WASHINGTON, DC, August 30, 2007 (ENS) - The U.S. Justice Department Wednesday sued two ranchers and the estate of a third rancher for trespassing on federal lands in Nevada. The ranchers, both living

On property rights, no better friend

John McCain has done a service to the conservative cause by injecting the issue of private property rights into the presidential campaign.

Foot ferries nearing a rebirth

A new-style Mosquito Fleet could ferry passengers across Puget Sound, and maybe even Lake Washington, under a plan approved unanimously Monday by the King County Council.

County parks levies get panel's OK

The Metropolitan King County Council has moved a step closer to asking voters in the August primary to levy $217 million in property taxes to maintain and expand parks.

Making a loud noise for fair use of property

The property-rights movement, said the speaker, "is not going away." He added, "At some level I think they're going to be successful."

Mole traps can lead to mountain of trouble

The surveillance meant hours in an unmarked car, staring down at a Kenmore home, waiting for something to happen. But, in the end, wildlife officer Lance Stevens Jr. got his man.

David Krick, aka,

L'Eggo My Lego

Some Seattle school children are being told to be skeptical of private property rights. This lesson is being taught by banning Legos.

A ban was initiated at the Hilltop Children's Center ...more

CAPR has given birth!

It's official. CAPR has a brand new San Juan chapter due to the organizing efforts of Frank Penwell. Frank has rounded up some willing helpers and has started our first official chapter. Stayed tuned

Regulation chokes housing market

For many years, people of all income levels were able to buy homes in the Puget Sound region because there were houses available within affordable price ranges. Today, a shocking proportion of the pop

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