ACTION! Eminent Domain, Redistricting, On Deck For Primary & General Elections
The ACLU of Southern California needs the help of its member activists on behalf of three upcoming initiatives — two appearing on the June 3 primary election ballot, and one we are attempting to qualify for the Nov. 4 general election ballot.
Propositions 98 and 99—Eminent Domain
Prop. 98, which has qualified for the primary election, has financial backing from wealthy apartment and mobile-home park owners who are seeking to eliminate rent control, eviscerate local land use planning, gut environmental protections and undermine public water projects we need to ensure an adequate supply of clean drinking water. While supporters attempt to characterize Prop. 98 as a move to protect homeowners rights against eminent domain, in reality this initiative — dubbed the "Hidden Agendas Scheme" — would exacerbate the affordable housing crisis crippling Southern California.
According to the Western Center on Law and Poverty, about 1 million California families live in rent controlled units and mobile homes, and an estimated 30,000 affordable homes have been created through inclusionary housing requirements. If this measure passes, millions of future residents will not benefit from affordable housing protections.
Join the ACLU/SC and a coalition of seniors, tenants, environmentalists, business, labor and local government in strong opposition to Prop. 98.
Prop. 99, which also qualified for the primary election, is an alternative approach, but remains problematic. Less draconian than Prop 98, it does not target rent control and recognizes a variety of legitimate public uses such as projects for water quality and environmental protection. The ACLU/SC is concerned that Prop. 99 places too many restrictions on city governments when it comes to deciding land use policies. For that reason, the ACLU/SC recommends opposing this initiative.
The Voters First Act - Redistricting
The ACLU/SC has always been an advocate for voters' rights and fair representative government. But our current process allows legislators to choose their own voters by drawing districts that serve their own interests, regardless of the changing needs and demographics of their communities.
The Voters First Act, which supporters are trying to qualify for the November election, creates a 14-member commission to redraw state legislative districts. The state auditor and legislative leaders would select commissioners from a diverse pool of California voters chosen for their qualifications and independence. Their mission is to create new districts in accordance with California's Voting Rights Act and changing population patterns in a publicly accountable process. Supporters include California Common Cause and the League of Women Voters. Visit VotersFirstCA.com.
