|
 Voters will have the opportunity to pass eminent domain reform that protects homeowners and the environment at the June 3 Statewide Primary Election. Proposition 99, the Homeowners and Private Property Protection Act, would prohibit state and local governments from using eminent domain to acquire an owner-occupied residence, over the objection of the owner, to provide the property to a developer, who would develop the land for commercial or other use.
Prop. 99 will protect Californians from developers who seek to promote further urban sprawl while at the same time allowing government to protect our environment and the public health. Prop. 99 allows for an exception from the prohibition if the government is taking the property to:
- Remedy environmental contamination that posed a threat to public health and safety.
- Use the property for a public work, such as a toll road or airport operated by a private party.
- Protect public health and safety or respond to an emergency.
- Prevent serious, repeated criminal activity.
A similar eminent domain measure, Proposition 98, which is also on the June ballot, provides no exemption for government to take property to protect natural resources. It also provides no exemption for government to enforce environmental and emissions standards on, for example, power plants or oil refineries. If Prop. 99 is approved by more votes than Prop. 98, it would void the provisions of Prop. 98.
Prop. 99 actually protects individual property rights and the environment while Prop. 98’s ambiguous language could leave the government with little recourse to protect either. Prop 99 is a common sense approach to eminent domain reform that balances the well-being of homeowners with government’s ability to enforce environmental standards, such as those set forth in the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. Prop. 99 is supported by a broad coalition of over 80 organizations made up of homeowners, business, labor, cities and environmentalists including:
League of Women Voters of California
League of California Cities
League of California Homeowners
Silicon Valley Leadership Group
California Alliance for Retired Americans
California Police Chiefs Association
California Fire Chiefs Association
National Wildlife Federation
Sierra Club California
State Building and Construction Trades Council
New Survey Released by PPIC (33K PDF file)
The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) conducted a survey, which shows voters
are inclined to support Proposition 99.
Read the Survey Report>>
Senator
Feinstein Opposes 98 and Supports 99 (links
to PDF)
April 24th, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein announced she is opposed to Prop. 98
and supports Prop. 99 on the June ballot. According to Senator Feinstein, Prop.
98 is “reckless and would tie the State's hands in dealing with a wide
range of critical issues.” Prop. 99 on the other hand, “is a better
alternative” according to the Senator.
Read
the Statement >>
Learn
More about the Yes on 99 Campaign
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.
Learn
More >>
|
