"The right of property is the guardian of every other right, and to deprive a people of this is, in fact, to deprive them of their liberty."
Arthur Lee, Virginia, 1775
Citizens' Alliance for Property Rights was organized in 2003 as a non-partisan political action committee where individual citizens and existing organizations can work together protecting property rights. We support equitable and scientifically sound land use regulations that do not force private landowners to pay disproportionately for public benefits enjoyed by all.
After observing environmental conditions around the world, we conclude that private owners are far better stewards of this earth than government planners. Landowners who own and control their own land take much better care of it, regardless of whether they live in an urban, suburban, or rural setting.
We want to be part of our children's and grandchildren's lives. They should not have to move elsewhere in order to be able to afford a home of their own.
We protect everyone's property rights by:
- Presenting a single coordinated voice dedicated to preserving and protecting individual property rights.
- Electing legislators pledged to protect, not destroy, property rights and electing judges pledged to uphold our constitutionally guaranteed right to own and control property.
- Promoting legislation to preserve and protect property rights while opposing excessively burdensome legislation and regulation.
- Reducing the regulatory cost of property ownership.
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 ...more
‘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,...more
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...more
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.
...more
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...more
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.
...more
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...more
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...more
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...more
$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.
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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...more
Proposal jeopardizes future property rights
What's Measure 49 really about? The future. If Measure 49 passes, that future is bleak....more
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.
...more
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.
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Property rights battle rages in Bonney Lake
The rights of private property owners are being debated in Bonney Lake these days. ...more
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...more
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.
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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 ...more
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....more
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."...more
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....more
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.
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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, ...more
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 ...more
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...more
