City Chamber opposes initiative petitions on spending, eminent domain
Staff Reports, The Oklahoman
March 21, 2006
The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber's Board of Directors and Board of Advisors has voted to oppose initiative petition state questions for a Taxpayer Bill of Rights, or TABOR, and changes to eminent domain laws.
The TABOR proposal would tie state spending growth to increases in the consumer price index and population growth. The eminent domain question would put more restrictions on when government entities can acquire property through eminent domain.
Neither state question has been scheduled yet for a vote. Protests against the questions are pending with the state Supreme Court.
Roy Williams, chamber president, said his organization is prepared to help campaign against the questions if they make it to a ballot.
"We believe in controlling government spending and ensuring the rights of the taxpayer," Chairman Fred Hall said. "But TABOR is not the way to do that."
Hall cautioned if TABOR passes in Oklahoma, its imposed spending caps would result in major initiatives, including road and bridge maintenance, bioscience research and development, higher education and state services such as the needed Medicaid match, not being adequately funded.
David Rainbolt, the chamber's vice president of government relations, said last year's Supreme Court New London, Conn., ruling on eminent domain -- cited as the reason for proposed changes -- was not relevant to Oklahoma.
"We strongly believe in protecting the individual rights of the property owner," Rainbolt said. "But we also believe the current Oklahoma statutes dealing with eminent domain do just that. Oklahoma's eminent domain laws are clearly spelled out, and we will work to maintain them."
Hall cautioned eminent domain has been an important tool in revitalizing distressed areas and improving quality of life.
"The Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority has used eminent domain, and the results can be seen in our downtown/Bricktown areas, the OU Health Center, the Presbyterian Health Foundation Research Park and Oklahoma City University," Hall said. "Oklahoma City has an incredible amount of forward momentum right now. We need to make sure we keep it going by providing the needed funding for infrastructure and protecting our eminent domain law."
