Proposition 98: This is a measure that has been funded by wealthy apartment and mobile home park owners. It contains the eminent domain reform, that we need, but is loaded with poorly-written “poison pills” that we don’t need or want.

If passed, Prop 98 could prohibit important environmental protections:

•  Regulations to protect sensitive wetland areas;
•  Urban limit lines and other growth control measures intended to stop sprawl and uncontrolled development, and to protect open space;
•  California Environmental Quality Act mitigations that cities, counties and public agencies require of developers to mitigate environmental impacts of developments;
•  Protections of endangered species and their habitats;
•  Protection of coastal areas, farmland, and ranchland, as well as cultural and historic sites;
•  “Smart growth” regulations designed to promote compact, walk able, and transit-oriented communities that combine residential and commercial land uses;
•  Ordinary zoning regulations, such as restrictions on the development of polluting industries, adult businesses, and “big box” mega stores;
•  Regulations intended to protect old growth forests by limiting timber harvests, and
•  Prop. 98 could threaten water quality and supply. The Association of California Water Agencies says Prop 98 “could derail needed groundwater and surface water projects around the state”, and calls this flaw in the measure “cause for alarm.” If passed, Proposition 98 would eliminate rent control and other renter protection laws:
•  Jeopardize laws requiring the fair return of rental deposits
•  Jeopardize laws requiring 60-day notice before forcing renters out of their housing
•  Outlaw local affordable housing and “inclusionary zoning” requirements
•  Jeopardize laws that protect seniors and the disabled from drastic rent increases and that require landlords to give them ample notice before forcing them out of rental housing VOTE NO ON PROPOSITION 98!

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

Prop 99 is supported by a broad collation of homeowners, business, labor, cities, counties, and environmentalists who want straightforward eminent domain reform that gets right to the heart of the infamous Kelo decision.