Dear editor,

The little-publicized Measure A (the so-called “Fair Pay” Initiative) on the June ballot will cripple land use planning in Napa County, creating a bureaucratic mess and costing Napa County taxpayers millions in administrative costs, lawsuits, and payouts to the large land holders and corporations who paid to get this measure on the ballot. Don’t take my word for it. An impartial, expert study required by California election law found that the measure would cost county taxpayers millions.

This measure will both threaten the Ag Preserve and weaken the county’s ability to control the land use and environmental planning processes which have served the county so well.

A similar law in Oregon has thrown that state’s land use planning into chaos, resulted in more than 2,500 lawsuits against local, county and state agencies, and is currently tied up in the Oregon Supreme Court. Napa County can expect a similar result if this unnecessary and unfair measure passes. Don’t let this happen here. Vote no on Measure A on the June ballot.

Roy Hagar

Pope Valley