The differences are in "protections." Prop 98 also seeks to phase out rent controls in California. Prop 99 does not, but it also bans only eminent domain seizures of owner-occupied homes, not apartments or rental homes, or other private property. Prop 99 also contains a provision in which it would supersede Prop 98 if both passed but 99 had a greater number of votes. There have been a large number of attacks from both sides. Prop 98 supporters point out that the state's Legislative Analyst says that passage of Prop 99 will have little fiscal impact on state and local governments, which means they'd continue to operate status quo. Prop 99 supporters say that Prop 98 is a sneaky way to include anti-consumer rent control changes into legislation.
Does either proposition accomplish what you think should be done to protect property owners from eminent domain? Read for yourself and decide. For more info on these confusing propositions, check out the following links:
- Ballotpedia
- League of Women Voters summaries for Prop 98 and Prop 99
- State Voter Guide arguments/rebuttals for Prop 98 and Prop 99
The campaigns have been overshadowed by national coverage of the Democratic Presidential Primaries, but the issue still resonates. Thankfully, Cisco Field and the baseball village are to be built on land that wasn't acquired via eminent domain, but rather through normal negotiations.
