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2005-06-30 Alert
Gov. Signs HB 2484 & 2722!
Break out the champagne!
Governor Kulongoski has signed both HB 2484 and 2722 into law.
The former clarifies that the voting provision of ORS-195 is to be interpreted as "double majority" rather than "single combined" vote. The latter revokes the right of cities to veto incorporation of a new city within 3 miles of their borders.
OCVA has had ORS-195 reform on our legislative agenda since the 1999 session and this is indeed a big day for us. It's also the culmination of my own personal crusade since I first learned of ORS-195 back in early 1994, a year after it became law. Springfield was the first city, to our knowledge, to consider using the statute to annex territory. We stopped them by getting the Lane County Commission to refuse to buy into a "combined vote." Our friends in the Bend UGB weren't so lucky: Bend forcibly annexed them in 1999. Ditto for the Redmond UGB last November. Unfortunately, HB 2484 is not retroactive and doesn't help these folks.
But HB 2484 now gives those who are the targets of future ORS-195 annexation attempts an equal voice in the process. It was the fair and right thing to do. Significantly, it passed in the face of vehement opposition from a host of public entities, led by the League of Oregon Cities, that wanted no part of increased citizen authority over the annexation process. In serving "the people" above the special interests, the Legislature and the Governor are to be soundly commended.
We'll have more on this later. There are so many people to acknowledge, in particular our new friends and allies from Washington County without whom I truly believe this success would not have been possible. To Rep. Bill Garrard for honoring his promise to us in the 2003 session; To Rep. Jerry Krummel who stepped into the role of commanding general in this battle. To Reps. Brad Avakian, Bob Ackerman, Mitch Greenlick, Gordon Anderson, Patti Smith, Mac Sumner, Derrick Kitts, and Dave Hunt…To Senators Charlie Ringo, Bruce Starr, Charles Starr, Vicki Walker, Jason Atkinson, Frank Shields and Roger Beyer for their sponsorship and committee support. To staff members Dawn Phillips, Katie Lowry and Lindsay Luckey for keeping the critical information flowing both ways….to the 45 Representatives and 23 Senators who provided overwhelming margins of victory in their chambers for HB 2484. And of course to Governor Kulongoski for finishing the job.
But first and foremost I want to thank and acknowledge the leaders and members of OCVA. You've been in this fight far longer than anyone else and you've finally seen it through. WELL DONE!
HB 2722 is also a well done by Rep. Greenlick and the Washington County folks. Here was another example of our elected leaders recognizing an abuse of power by local governments and doing something about it.
This is the greatest day in the history of annexation law reform in Oregon. But the job is not finished. In this session we still need to address the problem with Section 3 of SB 887B. In the next session, we need to direct a similar effort against "cherrystemming" and push for island annexation reform. But take some time now and savor the victory. Remember, don't drink and drive!
Jerry Ritter, Secretary
Oregon Communities for a Voice in Annexations
This page last modified on 2005-11-16 08:29.
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