zRants

The June 2008 California Ballot includes two important Propositions that should be of grave concern to voters. Both 98 and 99 attempt to reform eminent domain practices in the state, but with different intents and purposes.

Prop 98 is sponsored by Howard Jarvis and supported by Republicans. If passed, it will:

1. Abolish rent control and gut renter protection laws, such as laws requiring the fair return of rental deposits and laws requiring 60-day notice before forcing tenants out of their housing.

2. Stop water infrastructure projects by prohibiting the acquisition of land and water through eminent domain to develop public water projects - threatening many future water projects intended to preserve clean drinking water, protect existing water resources, and secure additional water supply.

3. Destroy Land-Use Planning Hurt the environment and stop regulations that protect our neighborhoods. In the definitions section is a clause that would Prohibit laws and regulations that “transfer economic benefit to one or more private persons at the expense of the private owner.” Because the courts have ruled that virtually all land-use decisions and environmental laws transfer economic benefit from one party to another, Prop. 98 would prohibit countless laws that protect our land, air, water and laws that protect our neighborhoods and home values.

Prop 99 - The Homeowners Protection Act - will prohibit the government from using eminent domain to take a home to transfer to a private developer.

Read both sides of the argument, in Ballotpedia.
And get a quick comparison here. www.no98yes99.com

NO ON 98 – Wealthy landlords spent millions to get Prop. 98 on the ballot to eliminate rent control and other important renter protections like the fair return of deposits. 98 could also stop future water projects, destroy local land-use planning, erode environmental protections and lead to higher taxpayer costs.
YES ON 99 - The Homeowners Protection Act Prop. 99 is real eminent domain reform: it prohibits government from taking homes to transfer to private developer. 99 is pure reform: no hidden agendas and no adverse consequences like Prop. 98.

There is a YouTube contest sponsored by No on 98