A Quick Glance at Propositions 98 & 99

Are you as confused about Props 98 and 99 as I am? If so, please be my guest and read the official text of these proposed laws here(PDF) and tell me what you think.

In the meantime, here's some cold hard facts and fiscal projections.

FACT:
California Proposition 98 is a proposed amendment to the California Constitution that will appear on the June 3, 2008 statewide ballot in California, along with a competing measure, Proposition 99. If Proposition 98 passes and earns more affirmative votes than 99, it will place constitutional constraints on the ability of local governments to take property from one private owner through the process of eminent domain in California and give it to another private owner.

Proposition 98, if successful, would also phase out rent control.

In order for either Proposition 98 or Proposition 99 to succeed, either measure will have to both earn more than 50% of the vote and earn more affirmative votes than its competitor.

Proposition 99 protects against eminent domain abuse and prohibits government from using eminent domain to take a home to transfer to a private developer.

INTERESTING FACTS:
In the wake of the 2005 U.S. Supreme Court decision, Kelo v. City of New London, a number of states have enacted legislation to rein in what many voters in those states saw as a potential for eminent domain abuse.

Proposition 90, an eminent domain reform measure in California that also would have significantly restricted the extent to which the government could engage in regulatory takings and would also have repealed rent control, lost 52-48% in 2006.

Prop 98 opponents are saying that Prop 98 goes too far.
Prop 99 opponents are saying that Prop 99 does not go far enough.

FISCAL IMPACTS:
Prop 98 will increase costs to many governments due to the measure's restrictions. The net statewide fiscal effect is uncertain.

Prop 99 has NO fiscal impact on state or local governments.

VOTE NO ON 98

VOTE YES ON 99