Proposition 98 is written to make it very difficult to enforce laws requiring affordable housing production.
NO on 98
At this stage in the run-up to the primary election, many voters don’t know that Prop 98, a constitutional amendment portrayed as needed eminent domain reform, is actually a pack of wolves dressed up like sheep. In reality the “Hidden Agendas Scheme” would:
•end rent control statewide and remove many other protections for renters, including mobile home tenants.
•98’s eminent domain provisions would greatly increase costs to local governments and impact a slew of regulations designed to protect our water and environment.
•It’s written to make it very difficult to enforce laws requiring affordable housing production. Supporters include the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association (need we say more?) and real estate interests. Read about the initiative at Smart Voter. |
YES on 99
Fortunately, there’s a good alternative on the ballot. Prop 99, supported by the League of Cities, the League of Women Voters, the League of California Homeowners, and AARP, is “clean” eminent domain reform. 99 would:
•bar state and local governments from using eminent domain to acquire an owneroccupied residence for private business purposes.
•It creates exceptions for public work or improvement, public health and safety protection, and crime prevention.
There’s only one way to be sure voters are aware of Prop 98’s deception: give them information and talk to them as much as we can. In the weeks between now and June 3, our Wellstone campaign brochure will help us do that. In addition to tabling and walking our neighborhoods, we can call voters, blog, and write letters to the editor.
Please join us.
To sign up, contact Sharon Maldonado.
This request comes with a warning: Given the array of groups lined up against 98, it’s easy to be complacent and assume it will fail. After all, when the League of Women Voters, CA Chamber of Commerce, League of Cities, Nat’l Wildlife Federation, Western Growers Association, Association of CA Water Agencies, Labor Federation and the Democratic Party all oppose it, what more does one need? The answer? Alot—as all of us know who watched the much derided Prop 13 pass in 1978. Until we hear voters declare, “Yes, I know about it and I plan to vote NO,” we have to worry that this tricky (and extremely well-funded) initiative will pass too.
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