Getting the Word out in Seattle

Another big hit in raising awareness and ending legalized land theft. Now if only our representatives, like Jamie Pedersen, would listen to the people, rather than cater to attorneys who profit and benefit the most from adverse possession.

http://www.seattlepi.com/letters/index.asp?entryID=829

Coverage in the Kitsap Sun

Talk about an interesting development... The Kitsap Sun (a fairly large newspaper in the neighboring county to Seattle) published a "letter to the editor" asking for public support of HB 1479 (a bill to end adverse possession in Washington).

You can read it here:
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2010/feb/04/letter-to-the-editor-legislation-protection-from/

I urge everyone (even those not in Washington) to add their comments. This is a great opportunity in a public forum for others to see how devastating legalized land theft is, and just as important, to let politicians know that adverse possession needs to end now!

Today, it's the Kitsap Sun... tomorrow, CNN.

WA HB 1479 - Stays Alive

Good news... Washington state House Bill 1479 has been "by resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status" for the 2010 year. This means that there has been sufficient interest and public demand in Washington to keep HB 1479 alive! Congratulations to everyone who contacted their state representative or more importantly, those who contacted the following House Judiciary Committee Members.

However, this does not mean our fight is over in Washington. Rep. Pedersen still is the roadblock in abolishing this repugnant law. Please contact and continue to contact the House Judiciary Committee Members, and in particular, Rep. Pedersen, in order to end legalized land theft in Washington.

Lastly, I compliment Washington for making it easy to track legislation changes. Here is the RSS Feed page so you can follow HB 1479 directly.

Democrat Confusion about Change

Most people would probably agree that NPR is a liberal media outlet. And most would agree that liberal Democrats are in favor of change... heck, CHANGE was the mantra of our President Obama's campaign.

Yet, there is one Democrat in Washington state, Jamie Pedersen, who is firmly set against change... well, at least change that does not upset his campaign contributors -- lawyers and lobbyists. It boggles the mind how this liberal Democrat is so entrenched in keeping the status quo when it comes to legalized land theft. That is a shame.

"Change," Mr. Pedersen. That is what the people want. Perhaps you should listen to NPR more often!

Who do Representatives Really Support?

Last week, I had the pleasure of talking with Representative Ed Orcutt, who is the Washington state sponsor of bill HB 1479, which is an act that would end legalized land theft (aka adverse possession) in Washington state.

All politics aside, Mr. Orcutt is one top-notch representative (all other representatives, please take note).

Last time I checked, we live in a representative democracy, where the PEOPLE elect those to represent OUR needs, wants and desires. This way, laws are passed that reflect the majority of the population.

In sponsoring HB 1479, Mr. Orcutt is doing exactly what his duty requires - to create laws that the populace wants.

In fact, Mr. Orcutt was kind enough to provide End Adverse Possession Now with a quote regarding his views on HB 1479 and ending legalized land theft.

“I have seen the cost and headaches suffered by homeowners as they try to defend their property from taking via adverse possession and the resulting heartache when they lost it anyway – for no valid reason,” says the bill’s prime sponsor, Rep Ed Orcutt (R) Kalama. “It is a law that made sense in ancient times but has little or no value today. It is an issue which needs to be addressed by the legislature to fit modern times – before it tears apart more families and neighborhoods."

This stands in stark contrast to Rep. Jamie Pederson, whom I have also shared communications with. Mr. Pedersen, a lawyer by trade and Yale Law School graduate, advocates legalized land theft, and despite numerous e-mails and calls to his office by many constituents in Washington, Mr. Pedersen instead sides with the attorneys who have so much to lose if HB 1479 passes.

And, that is the issue... instead of being a representative of the PEOPLE, Mr. Pedersen prefers to represent his attorney friends (the same, which by the way who contributed significantly to his election).

We stand on the cusp of new legislation, HB 1479, which would end legalized land theft. It is time that our representatives do the right thing, and show their support of this bill that represents fairness and justice for all.

Washington's House Judiciary Committee

For House Bill 1479 to pass, these people must move the bill out of committee and to the floor.

These Representatives comprise the Washington State House Judiciary Committee:

1. Pedersen, Chair;
2. Goodman, Vice Chair;
3. Rodne;
4. Shea;
   
5. Flannigan;
6. Kelley;
7. Kirby;
   
8. Ormsby;
9. Roberts;
   
10. Ross;
11. Warnick

By clicking on each name, you can get each Representative's contact information.

Please contact all of the above members to let them know YOU SUPPORT HB 1479. LEGALIZED LAND THEFT NEEDS TO END NOW!

Battleground - 43rd Legislative District

This map is the key to ending legalized land theft in Washington state. It is the 43rd Legislative District in Seattle.

There is a bill, HB 1479, that effectively ends the law of adverse possession in Washington. However, it sits in the House Judiciary Committee, which is headed up by Rep. Jamie Pedersen of this very District.























If Pedersen truly is a representative, then he needs to listen and follow his constituents, who want adverse possession to end now. Getting this bill out of the Judiciary Committee and onto the floor for a vote is critical to ending legalized land theft!

Tell Pedersen (pedersen.jamie@leg.wa.gov) that HB 1479 needs to pass!

Better still, ask him why he thinks stealing property is okay? You're likely to get a canned response about adverse possession is not a bad law; it's the homeowner's fault, or that it is similar to having someone take a necklace from you, or some other nonsense answer.

Bottom line is that Pedersen needs to understand stealing is wrong, period.

If you live in this zone or know of someone who does, please have them contact Reps. Jamie Pedersen (pedersen.jamie@leg.wa.gov), Frank Chopp (chopp.frank@leg.wa.gov) and their district Senator, Ed Murray (murray.ed@leg.wa.gov).

If HB 1479 is going to end adverse possession in Washington, it will all come down to those who live in this district informing Mr. Pedersen that legalized land theft needs to end now!