No on 98, Yes on 99

 League of Women Voters of California No on 98 Commerical

AARP No on 98 Commercial

Background

After having defeated the similarly intentioned Proposition 90 in 2006, local governments were again faced with a measure that would have greatly restricted land use control at the local level. In 2008 Proposition 98 was placed on the ballot as a Trojan horse measure that would have actually abolished rent control in California cities.

Strategic Challenge

The Challenge that local governments faced in the No on 98/ Yes on 99 campaign was to defeat a poorly crafted and dangerous measure that would hurt local control. City officials decided that the most effective defense was a good offense. Local government officials once again joined forces to run a counter measure in the form of Proposition 99. This measure addressed concerns over eminent domain reform, but without the hidden agendas present in Prop 98. Joined by environmental groups and labor organizations that were concerned about the ramifications of Prop 98, local governments raised funds and led a grassroots effort to get the word out about both measures. CitiPAC played a vital role defending local control against the threat of Prop 98.

Results

On June 3, 2008 over 61% of voters voted to defeat Prop. 98 while over 61% voted to support Prop. 99. Given the hidden agendas within Prop 98, our message was not always an easy one to communicate to the electorate. With the help of CitiPAC funds, the No on 98/ Yes on 99 campaign was able to educate voters on the important differences between both measures. As a result, important eminent domain reforms were enacted and both land use decision making and rent control were preserved within our communities.

No on 98/ Yes on 99 Supporters (Partial List)

AARP, National Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club California, California League of Conservation Voters, League of Women Voters of California, Housing California, League of California Homeowners