Action Alert: Stop Attack on Eminent Domain and Inclusionary Zoning

Many affordable-home advocates joined in the fight last November to defeat Proposition 90. However the groups that backed Prop 90 are back with another eminent domain initiative for 2008 that is just as bad.  They are currently gathering signatures for a measure that will take away eminent domain as a tool and make rent control and mixed-income (inclusionary) zoning illegal.  A broad coalition (including the California Redevelopment Association and California League of Cities) named Eminent Domain Reform Now is instead working to qualify a sensible eminent domain reform mesure for the ballot.  We will continue to be involved in this effort and let you know how you can help.  Learn more at the coalition's website: http://eminentdomainreform.com/

Here is a summary of the effort and ways to get involved from California Redevelopment Association Executive Director and CHC Board Member John Shirey:

JOIN SIGNATURE GATHERING FOR HOMEOWNERS PROTECTION ACT

As you know from our last update, CRA is part of a coalition offering

California voters a simple straightforward eminent domain reform proposal that they can support. The Homeowners Protection Act (HPA), which is co-sponsored by the League of California Cities, the League of California Homeowners, and the California League of Conservation Voters, is just that--it would add to the California Constitution a prohibition on the use of eminent domain to acquire single-family, owner-occupied homes (including condominiums and townhouses) for private-to-private transfers of property. The measure does not change the ability of local government to acquire property for traditional public works projects, utilities, and other infrastructure.

Signature Gathering for Homeowners Protection Act Intensifies 

The volunteer signature gathering efforts of the Eminent Domain Reform Now Coalition which includes CRA, the League, California State Association of Counties, and the California League of Conservation Voters, have stepped up in recent weeks. We must gather 1.1 million signatures of registered voters by the end of November in order to make our objective to qualify this initiative for the June 2008 ballot.

Good progress has been made thus far, but, volunteer signature gatherers are essential to making it all the way. Our coalition saves $3.75 for every signature a volunteer collects and submits.  Senior citizens, tenants' rights, and labor groups are enthusiastically championing this cause and are out collecting signatures, gratis.  Please contact your area?s League Regional Public Affairs Manager to join in this effort. You can click here to access the name and contact information of the Manager in your area.

Public sector employees and elected officials must remember to follow the strict laws that prohibit the use of public resources, including time and space, for these activities. Your League Regional Public Affairs Manager can provide guidance and information.

Summaries of "Hidden Agenda" Initiative 

As promised in our last update, we now have informational summaries of the California Property Owners and Farmland Protection Act (CPOFPA), which we oppose.  Click here for a brief summary.  Also, a legal analysis of the CPOFPA measure has been prepared by the law firm of Nielsen, Merksamer, Parrinello, Mueller and Naylor. You can click here to read this one. Both of these informational items can be shared with public sector colleagues.

CRA will continue to keep its members abreast of the actions taking place to qualify and pass our Homeowners Protection Act, and to defeat the deceptive "hidden agenda" initiative. If you have questions, please contact John Shirey or

Lillian Henegar at

(916)

448-8760 or lhenegar@calredevelop.org.