Get out and vote!

No on 98/Yes on 99!

Occasionally, there are issues on the ballot that seem innocuous, but actually make a difference. I believe that 98/99 is just such an occasion.

Both Propositions 98 and 99 were put on the ballot to limit immanent domain – the capacity of the government to buy property in the public interest. But Proposition 98 throws in some other stuff that isn’t good.

• Prop 98 sets up roadblocks to keep local activists and even public agencies from protecting California’s natural resources.

• Prop 98 abolishes rent control statewide – and prohibits future generations from any form of rent stabilization no matter what the economic circumstances may require.

Prop 99 bars the seizure of private homes for redevelopment by private developers – but it also protects renters and undeveloped land as well.

Here is why Prop 98 is bad:

• It’s an environmental minefield – It allows property owners to sue whenever any rule, ordinance or law imposes costs on an owner – even if the regulation would help save lives or the environment. It could undo coastal protections and land use planning.
• It hobbles local planning decisions – It encourages people to seek reversal of open-space designations, zoning plans, urban limitation lines, and restrictions on polluting industries.
• It puts property rights over people rights – It offers incentives for developers and other land holders to build in spite of neighbors, regulations, zoning ordinances, master plans or other reasonable protections against environmental degradation or exploitation.
• It takes away local control – It substitutes statewide law for local cities ability to make the laws they need based on their situation and circumstance. Local communities could be prevented from developing any laws regarding housing, building, development or planning.
• It abolishes housing protections – It makes it impossible for cities or citizens to stabilize rents or protect rental properties and trailer parks, and it makes it more difficult for a community to initiate community economic development strategies.

SO WHEN YOU VOTE, PLEASE VOTE NO ON PROP. 98 AND YES ON PROP 99.

99 ENDORSED BY UNIONS, AARP, CA LEAGUE OF CITIES, LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS, POLICE CHIEFS, FIRE CHIEFS, COALITION FOR ECONOMIC SURVIVAL, SMRR

**Disclaimer: these views are not endorsed by the UMC or Hemet UMC specifically, they are my own personal views and not a representation of my church. Take them for what you will