by Ron Holladay; this article was originally published in Partisan issue no. 25, printed May 2008.

On June 3, California voters will be faced with two choices on reforming eminent domain. Prop. 98, put on the ballot by big money developers and landlords, is a devastating one-two punch aimed at renters. 98 would end all rent control, affecting millions of renters in such places as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Berkeley and Santa Monica. Put on the ballot to "reform eminent domain laws", 98 would end "just cause" eviction protections and prohibitions on evicting senior and disabled tenants. The League of Women Voters, AARP, Senior Action Network, San Francisco Tenants Union, San Francisco Labor Council, Sierra Club and many other groups around the state say "No on 98." Prop 98 also ends affordable housing requirements for developers and many environmental protections, including habitat and wetland preservation laws.

The Peace and Freedom Party State Central Committee, at its regular meeting in Los Angeles on April 6, endorsed "No on 98 and Yes on 99". Prop. 99 was put on the ballot as a tactical measure to reform eminent domain plus it contains language which will reverse Prop. 98's attack on rent control, renters, seniors and the environment

For further information, go to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ron Holladay is a member of the San Francisco City and County Peace and Freedom Party Central Committee.