[Capr-announce] FW: Property Fairness Update 9-19-06

Wed Sep 20 08:21:14 PDT 2006

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From: Dan Wood [mailto:dwood at wsfb.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, September 19, 2006 11:10 PM
To: rod at sage1.com
Subject: Property Fairness Update 9-19-06

Please forward to all of your lists.Action Steps Requested.

WFB Demands Disclosure from University of Washington

The Washington Farm Bureau today filed a public records demand from the
University of Washington regarding a "planned study" on Initiative 933.  

We want them to come clean on who is behind the so-called "study," who is
directing the "study" and to disclose whatever connections there are between
the University and the special interests that are funding the anti-I-933
"study."

The study is to be paid for by the same environmental extremists that are
backing the campaign against the Property Fairness Initiative.  If true then
why do these extremists have to turn to U-Dub to buy credibility and are
public resources being used to conduct the study? 

Because the University of Washington is a state agency, it is required to
disclose public documents - on paper and in electronic form - under the
state Public Records Act.  (RCW 42.56)  We expect an immediate answer from
the University.

The Northwest Center for Livable Communities, a division of the University,
is conducting the "study" on behalf of the Bullitt, Brainerd and Wilberforce
Foundations along with others.  These are the same foundations that funded a
UW "study" released in 1995 when a similar measure - Referendum 48 -- sought
to address excessive regulations that treated property owners unfairly.  

The University of Washington was embarrassed then and should be now!

In 1995 the respected Washington Institute for Policy Studies examined
documents prepared by the University and Evergreen State College and
declared that the "studies bordered on fraud." 

"There was no peer review.no ability to replicate their numbers or to
independently verify their conclusions.and that the documents did not comply
with basic academic standards."

The authors of the 1995 study acknowledged in their background
methodological statement that their estimates of takings costs."were
difficult to prepare due to data limitations, time constraints and the wide
range of variables."  The authors themselves called the study "Mission
Impossible."  Yet, environmental extremists used the "study" to deceive the
public and ran advertisements before the University could stop them.

The Institute's analysis of the so-called study went further, alleging that
the study went beyond the collected data and that the six page document
attributed to the University of Washington was pure analytical fabrication
with two pages of rhetoric and conjecture without any supporting analysis.  

In 1995 environmental extremists used statements from the "study" in
advertisements opposing R-48.  At that time the University demanded that
they cease attributing the "study" to the University.  In fact, state law
prohibits state agencies (including universities) from taking a position for
or against any ballot measure. 

If the University releases a property rights study between now and the
general election there would be no way to characterize it than as an effort
to influence the outcome of a ballot measure. 

Our opponents are using tired and worn-out ideas to attack I-933 at a time
when citizen awareness of government abuses is at an all time high. 

Anti-Property Rights Coalition Begins Deceptive TV Ads 

Contribute to Property Fairness to Counter the Lies

Yesterday the No on I-933 dumped $250,000 in broadcast advertising for the
next two weeks.  Their research shows what ours does - they have to run a
come from behind campaign.  News reports indicate that they plan to drop
another $500,000+ on the ads

In a sheer political ploy our opponents are trying to convince voters that
farmers oppose I-933.  It's another lie. Go figure.

Their television ad features a barley grower in the Palouse who cut a No on
933 sign in his field.  Far from being a spontaneous act on the part of the
farmer, No on I-933 tourists watched from a hill and a helicopter buzzed
over the field while the combine rolled.

The ad also features a former WFB board member speaking in opposition to the
initiative.  Don't be frustrated that there are some farmers who oppose
I-933 just as some opposed the property rights measure in Oregon.  

A quick look at some farmers who oppose the initiative is telling.  It
appears they tend to grow high-value specialty crops or they have some
measure of protection under the growth management act, something most
farmers do not enjoy.  And it is no surprise that a minority of farmers
simply have a different political philosophy.     

I-933 is supported by Washington Farm Bureau, Washington Friends of Farms &
Forests, Washington Council of Farmer Cooperatives, Washington Fish Growers
Association, Washington Christmas Tree Growers, Washington Cattlemen's
Association, and all 25 county Farm Bureaus across Washington State.  

Despite overwhelming support from farmers and ranchers across, Washington,
our opponents want voters to believe that they speak for farmers. It's one
of the biggest lies from them to date!

But what do you expect from a bunch of environmental extremists who claim in
the ad that the United Farm Workers are representatives of farmers and
ranchers???  

As we all know, no political campaign has enough money so we're reaching out
to our grassroots for more fundraising.  We have placed an order for another
10,000 envelopes for our grassroots to use in individual fundraising. We
will send a quantity to our county coordinators for distribution, but it is
hard for us to come up with a distribution plan because some volunteers are
more productive than others.  So, if you want a certain quantity and the
county coordinator cannot accommodate you, please contact us direct at the
office (360) 357-9975 and we'll get them out to you.

It is amazing how much money comes in if we just ask.  I've heard several
reports of checks being written for $250 and more just because people in
meeting places such as restaurants were asked.  

Another way for fundraising is to invite people to your home for coffee and
cake and suggest a contribution of $50 to the campaign.  10 or 12 guests can
bring in a lot of money and many will write checks for more than the
suggested contribution.

The $250,000 that our opponents have dropped into the campaign is a sign of
desperation.  They know they are behind and they know they need to start now
to change people's minds or they will lose.  You will be receiving regular
emails from me regarding the campaign and one thing you can do is build your
email list for additional distribution.  

ACTION STEP #1:  One way you can help counter the distortions and lies from
the opposition is to make an immediate contribution online.  Please go to
http://www.propertyfairness.com/contribute.htm to make a contribution.

ACTION STEP #2:  Send a letter to your local papers.  Tell them that the
opposition campaign is running distortions, lies, and half-truths. Let them
know that there are two simple aspects to I-933: Government must consider
the cost before taking actions and government must compensate when it
damages use and value of private property.  In Oregon, not a single dime has
been paid in compensation and government is now considering impacts before
adopting new laws.  That is a good idea that Washington voters should also
embrace.

We need to counter the ads from the opposition.

Polling and focus group work shows that we can win this campaign, but we
need to get our message out.  Voters generally won't believe the lies from
the opposition, but they need to hear our message so they can choose to vote
for Initiative 933.

Please contribute today.

We can win this campaign, but we need donations today to finance the
campaign.

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