February 1, 2000
By CHARLES E. BEGGS
Associated Press Writer
SALEM, Ore. (AP) -- Gov. John Kitzhaber and the Legislature have been in perpetual joust over land use planning, and whether that's so in his final legislative session will have a lot to do with who runs the place.
Either way, aides suggest, don't assume Kitzhaber will propose a bunch of new laws.
The Democratic governor has contended with a Republican-led Legislature since he took office in 1995 and often has wound up on defense.
On land use, the governor has resorted to vetoes to beat back what he's seen as attempts to weaken the land use controls in place since 1973. At time he voices doubts about whether present controls are working.
"If I had the power, I'd turn off the spigot and keep Oregon as it is today," Kitzhaber in 1998 told a task force on growth.
Kitzhaber says that rules and court system to enforce them are needed. But these days, he emphasizes collaboration and practical steps.
"He sees the regulatory system as half of the story," said Greg Wolf, Kitzhaber's planning adviser.
"He thinks we've got to make these urban areas work. It's not as sexy, but he's said we've got a big vision but now we have to decide how to do it on the ground," Wolf said.
Wolf said Kitzhaber can claim land use-related achievements from the 1999 Legislature, mainly a $140 million "livability initiative."
Aims of the state aid include reducing congestion and sprawl, helping rural communities upgrade public works and downtowns and supply affordable housing.
The idea is that financial incentives along with controls can produce better land use.
"If we can make the investments to make urban areas work better, we'll have less sprawl," Wolf said.
Looking to the 2001 Legislature, Wolf said, Kitzhaber probably would ask lawmakers for more money for high-speed rail projects and other public transit if Democrats make gains.
Beyond that , Wolf said, it's too early to speculate on what else he might propose.
The state's chief land use watchdog group, 1000 Friends of Oregon, backed Kitzhaber's livability spending and welcomed his vetoes but aren't always in tandem with him.
He and 1000 Friends split on a 5-cent per gallon gas tax increase that's on the May primary election ballot.
Kitzhaber supports the measure, while 1000 Friends fears its $600 million in bonding authority could lead to building new roads that will further aggravate sprawl.
A leading property rights group, Oregonians in Action, seldom agrees with Kitzhaber but says he's less rigid now.
"For his allies he's still got to rattle the saber, but he's considerably more flexible on land use," said Larry George, executive director of the organization.
He argues citizens are realizing the land use system is flawed because it's trying to dictate where they can live.
"The only alternative 1000 Friends has will make it more dense," George said. "Everybody hates that."
Political science professor Bill Lunch of Oregon State University disagrees with George, saying surveys show Oregonians like the land planning system and want it strong.
"This is probably one area in which the governor could have greater success than on some other issues," said Lunch, who has taught environmental policy.
"If he got a more sympathetic Legislature, because his views are reasonably in line with the public's, he might make greater changes than on fiscally difficult issues," Lunch said.
