Green Party of California weighs in on eminent domain ballot battle; urges progressive voters to oppose Prop 98, back Prop. 99 in June
GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA NEWS RELEASE
SACRAMENTO, Ca. (May 29, 2008) - The Green Party of California - with more than 132,000 voters statewide - urged its members and other progressive voters Thursday to oppose Prop. 98 and support Prop. 99 on the June 3 ballot.
The announcement comes on the heels of a Field Poll released Wednesday that showed California voters are split on the dueling eminent domain measures. Prop. 98 is trailing 33-43 percent, but Prop. 99 is winning 48-30 percent. Both measures, though, have large numbers of undecided voters.
The Greens are siding with homeowners and local governments to prohibit eminent domain abuse. Eminent domain - historically reserved for "public uses" that include such things as parks,schools and roads - has been expanded, charge Greens, to include seizing homes for transfer to a developer, such as a Wal-Mart.
Only Prop. 99 can change that. Prop. 98 goes too far, said the Green Party.
"We oppose Prop. 98 because it has hidden agendas that threaten local land use planning and environmental protections and was deliberately crafted to challenge affordable housing policies, including rent control and eviction protections," said Alameda Green Lisa Stephens, an elected member of the Berkeley Rent Board.
Conversely, in support of Prop. 99, Greens said it is a real eminent domain reform measure intended to constitutionally protect homeowners without the hidden agendas and adverse consequences of Prop. 98.
"Prop. 99 will prohibit government from using eminent domain to take a home to transfer to a private developer. It is an alternative for homeowners, environmentalists, labor, cities and counties, and will prevent 'Grandma's house' from being razed to build condos or a Wal-Mart parking lot," said Stephens.
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Contacts:
Susan King, Spokesperson, 415.823.5524,
Dr. Bob Vizzard, Spokesperson, 916.206.8953,
Daniel Brezenoff, Spokesperson, 310.422.2211,
Cres Vellucci, Press Secretary, 916.996.9170,
The Green Party of California
PO Box 2828
Sacramento, CA 95812
Phone: (916) 448-3437
Web: http://www.cagreens.org
EMail: