Please go vote. Numerous people and interests are counting on you not to.
The most important thing on this ballot is Proposition 98. It is framed as a restriction against Eminent Domain — the ability of the government to seize private property.
It does indeed restrict that. But it also ends rent control in California.
Rent control restricts the amount that rent can be raised each year. In some cities, it’s zero. In L.A., for example, it’s some exact percentage, and landlords always raise it the maximum, so that rent after the first year tends to be a really odd figure.
If 98 passes, landlords can’t mess with your current lease, but the moment it’s up for renewal, or you leave, then they can. If they can raise the price by any amount they want, cities like L.A. will not be affordable for lower-income workers. And without them, the city will ultimately have big problems.
I will be screwed if 98 passes, as will most of my friends out here.
Then there’s 99. If it passes with a larger yes vote than 98, 98 is canceled. 99 is also about eminent domain, but less restrictive on it than 99.
So: No on 98, yes on 99. DO NOT FORGET.
Because if 98 passes, I may have to move to YOUR state. And you don’t want that.
99 is certainly the obvious choice; it is a no-brainer…
What a strange system we have. ‘We won’t provide housing… that wouldn’t be capitalist. But we will freeze rent raises and then, to make it up to landlords, basically make it so they can write off everything’…
Name Yes
Votes % No
Votes %
98 N Eminent Domain. Limits on Government Authority. 850,893 42.0% 1,170,333 58.0% Map
99 Y Eminent Domain. Limits on Government Acquisition. 1,295,093 64.5% 713,457 35.5% Map
Thank goodness. I don’t want deadbeats like Luke coming to my state and leaching the free health insurance I refuse to work so hard for.
Well, at least until the fall I have the option of marrying a dude for the health insurance.