Ballot Propositions

BALLOT PROPOSITIONS

Ballot Propositions

June 2008 Ballot:

Proposition 98: Howard Jarvis Eminent Domain Proposal.
Constitutional Amendment.
Cal-Tax Position: No Position

Protects private property by banning takings for private use. In addition, it precludes government interference in the free market by preventing municipalization and rent control. While these are solid protections, the initiative also creates sufficient flexibility to allow local governments to abate nuisances and criminal activity thereby preserving the public health and safety. From the standpoint of economic theory, the measure’s rent control provisions make sense. However, rent control is not an issue typically within the purview of Cal-Tax, and may be perceived by some as opposition to economic equity. (Text)

Proposition 99: League of Cities Eminent Domain Proposal.
Constitutional Amendment.
Cal-Tax Position: Oppose

This measure does not provide much more protection for property owners than already exists under current law. The LAO appears to agree with that conclusion by stating in its analysis that the measure would not do much to alter the existing government land acquisition practices. In addition, the initiative offers protection only to residential property owners, creating a precedent whereby commercial property is entitled to less protection under the Constitution than residential property – a blueprint for split roll. Furthermore, conspicuously absent from this initiative is protection against municipalization. Finally, this initiative will result in voter confusion, and its poison pill is viewed as an attempt to thwart the will of the voters. (Text)

November 2008 Ballot:

Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Act for the 21st Century.*

Enacts the Safe, Reliable High-Speed Train Bond Act for the 21st Century, to provide $9.95 billion in general obligation (GO) bonds to fund the planning and construction of a high-speed passenger (bullet) train system and improvements to other specified rail systems in the State.

*Note: The measure was originally scheduled to appear on the November 2, 2004, General Election ballot. Subsequently, Senate Bill 1169 of 2004 provided that it appear on the November 7, 2006, General Election ballot. However, most recently, Assembly Bill 713 of 2006 provides for the submission of this Act on the November 4, 2008, General Election ballot instead. (Text)