Associated Press
 
November 4, 2008
 
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Oregon voters have rejected a ballot measure that proposed to ease restrictions on do-it-yourself home improvement jobs.
 
The vote for Measure 63 was 53 percent to 47 percent early Wednesday with 55 percent of the vote reported.
 
If the measure had passed, residents wouldn't have been required to obtain permits for home improvement projects that would have cost $35,000 or less.
 
Opponents of the measure say working on construction projects without permits can be dangerous and threaten the structural integrity of a home.