Dear Friend,
There is a lot on this November's ballot, but one measure I hope you will
scrutinize closely is Proposition 90. I will be voting No on Prop. 90 and
I'm confident that when you learn more about it, you will too.
Proponents would have you believe that Prop. 90 is just about "eminent
domain reform," but that's a deceptive phrase designed to peak the
curiosity and interest of voters. What Proponents won't tell you is that
hidden in Prop. 90 are far-reaching provisions completely unrelated to
eminent domain. These provisions would allow virtually anyone to sue over
virtually any new law, simply by claiming a new law has caused
"significant economic loss" to their property.
What does that mean in real-life terms? It means that when the most
basic laws are passed that limit overdevelopment, regulate businesses or
protect consumers WE have to pay. For example:
Under Prop. 90, a landowner could sue seeking compensation if a
city/county restricts development to 500 homes for traffic or
environmental concerns when the landowner is seeking approval for 750
homes. The city and its taxpayers could be forced to pay for the value of
the land as though the remaining 250 homes were built.
Under Prop. 90, a landowner could sue seeking compensation if a
city/county restricts the height of a building.
Under Prop. 90, the owner of a bar or nightclub could sue a city and its
taxpayers seeking compensation if the city restricts hours of operation
to conform to a local noise ordinance.
Under Prop. 90, a telemarketing firm could sue the state and all
taxpayers if the legislature passed a law preventing the company from
calling homes during certain hours of the day.
Under Prop. 90 a handful of activists could sue claiming "economic
damages" for a new project like a school or a neighborhood park that they
claim reduces the value of their property.
This doesn't sound like "eminent domain reform", does it? That's why you
should learn more and get involved.
A coalition of more than 300 diverse groups has come together to oppose
this harmful measure, including the League of Woman Voters of California,
California Small Business Association, The Nature Conservancy, California
Teachers Association, California Professional Firefighters, the
California NAACP, League of California Homeowners, the California
Chamber of Commerce, and the California Labor Federation to name a few.
More than 40 major daily newspapers have also come out against Prop. 90,
calling it "deceptive," "a ruse," a "radical overreach," a "Trojan Horse"
and more.
Please take a few minutes to learn more about this measure at
http://www.noprop90.com/. I'm confident you will want to join me in
voting NO on 90.
Nancy Goettler
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Raymond Lutz - 26 Oct 2006