Vote-by-mail ballots will soon be arriving in mailboxes all across the state. There are two very important ballot initiatives Californians will consider this summer: Propositions 98 and 99. Similar to Proposition 90, the 2006 initiative that sought to protect homeowners and churches from eminent domain abuse, Proposition 98 will prevent government from taking private property and then giving it to another private party.
Unfortunately, property developers and tax revenue-hungry local governments have also placed an eminent domain measure on the ballot that is much weaker. Proposition 99 does not include protections for churches and other types of property. Voters should be aware that if both initiatives pass, Proposition 99 has a “poison pill” provision that will nullify the protections for churches include in Proposition 98. That is why it is so important that voters vote “YES” on 98 and “NO” on 99.
CRFI’s recommendation:
Proposition 98: YES
Proposition 99: NO
