Posted on 06/01/2008 8:52:31 PM PDT by ParsifalCA
Sleight-of-hand relies heavily on misdirection and distraction. The Proposition 99 campaign tries the same trick on voters, attempting to get Californians to look only where it wants, while ignoring the most important issues in eminent domain reform.
Proposition 99 was crafted because Proposition 98 had qualified for the ballot with a good chance of winning, backed by many documented abuses of emotionally appealing “little guys” steamrollered by the politically powerful—i.e., to defend the beneficiaries of eminent domain abuse against real reform.
99 does nothing to restrict eminent domain to justifiable public uses. It “protects” only owner-occupied primary residences, while undermining even that protection by maintaining all the loopholes now used to circumvent property protections, such as bogus claims of blight. It does nothing to challenge abuses or help owners get full compensation for their losses. 98 addresses all those issues. In other words, 99 offers the most minuscule change supporters could call “reform"... [more @ CaliforniaRepublic]
(Excerpt) Read more at californiarepublic.org ...
And the politician wonder why more and more people are looking into the “pitchforks and torches” options for government “reform”.
The Howard Jarvis Tax Association, that created and helped pass Prop. 13, is recommending YES on Prop. 98 and NO on Prop. 99.
In a nutshell...
98 prevents private eminent domain of both homes and businesses.
A city could not take away an auto repair shop and hand it over to a private party to put a car dealership in its place. It could not take the homes either side of the auto repair shop and similarly hand it over to a private developer for the auto dealership.
98 also phases out rent control. Rent control, however established it may have become over the years, is a form of taking. Supporters of 98 say if society wants to subsidize rents, it should do it at the public’s expense, not on the backs of rental owners.
There are very few rentals in California that will be affected by 98 if it passes (someone can correct me on that).
The rent control aspect has raised the most objections. However, the California League of Cities that is actively opposing 98, does not like the resrictions on private eminent domain of businesses.
To be clear, there is a difference between public and private eminent domain. Hopefully noone here needs that remedial explanation.
99 on the other hand provides no protections for private business owners. It is supported by the League of California Cities.
98 is the one to vote for if you are a conservative. Vote Yes on 98! Vote NO! on 99.
Yes on 98.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, former Gov. Pete Wilson and Sen. Dianne Feinstein all oppose 98 out of a concern that it could imperil this state's ability to assure an adequate water supply for the future. A Coastal Commission analysis warns that it could undermine efforts to protect the coast and keep it accessible to the public.Damn liberals!
Already voted yes on 98, no on 99.
the coastal commission is one of the worst offenders in the state when it comes to trampling on private property rights. i hope they are not spending a dime in public money to oppose 99 - that would be illegal.
sadly the 99 forces are winning (lots of money from real estate developers) and 98 is losing. even the initiative process is corrupted by special interest money.
Everything I’ve read looks like 98 won’t pass. But... it probably depends on what the turnout is. I think this may be an all-time low turnout, except maybe in CD4, LOL.
I’ll see if I can find the poll numbers.
I’m off to bed. Don’t you know northern Calif if ahead of you in time :)
Prop. 98 failing, 99 a toss-up - Field Poll
Charles Burress, Chronicle Staff Writer
Thursday, May 29, 2008
In the battle over two state propositions on Tuesday's ballot that would restrict government seizure of private property, nearly a majority of California voters support the more limited Proposition 99 while giving thumbs down to Proposition 98, which would abolish rent control, according to a Field Poll released today.
A survey of 660 likely voters conducted May 17-26 found 48 percent favoring Prop. 99, with 30 percent opposed and 22 percent undecided, according to the poll results. Those supporting Prop. 98 stood at 33 percent, with 43 percent opposed and 24 percent undecided.
Field Poll Director Mark DiCamillo said he'd give Prop. 99 a better than even chance of passing. He noted that it still lacks the needed majority of voters and that most undecided voters end up voting no on state propositions, but he said that he nevertheless expects enough undecided voters to vote yes.
The results contrast with the two surveys by the Public Policy Institute of California that showed declining support for both propositions between March and May. Those polls showed support among likely voters for Prop. 99 declining to 44 percent from 53 percent, while support for Prop. 98 fell to 30 percent from 37 percent.
The Public Policy Institute's more recent poll surveyed 1,086 likely voters from May 12-18. The Field Poll results announced today are from that organization's only survey on the two measures.
(snip)
I run on Hawaiian time. ;-)
I didn’t get my booklet explaining the propositions this year, but when I saw the list of special interest groups opposing 98, I figured it was good.
I agree. I wonder who finagled that one... and why.
Kinda sounds like sumthin’ an Ed Rollins would do (to a candidate.) Just tryin’ to hep, I’m sure. /s
Every liberal group in California, every liberal newspaper, every liberal union, every liberal special interest group ... is opposed to Prop 98.
That’s enough for me. Prop 98 it is.
Prop 99 is (clearly, no question) some sort of leftist dodge. Not sure I understand yet, how. But it’s pretty simple to decide, just based on the forces lining up on this one.
Walter Moore says yes on 98, no on 99. I’m hoping he has a chance to become our mayor.
I remember him mostly from when he ran 4 years ago. Kind of a quirky guy... but right on most of the issues and a breath of fresh air compared to the corrupt power brokers that have been in charge. However... I don’t think he has a chance for just that reason.
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