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GUESTS: Bilal Mafundi Ali, coordinator of the No On Proposition 98 campaign, Xiomara Corpeno, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights in LA (CHIRLA)

On June 3rd, Californians will be asked to vote on two propositions, 98 and 99, on the issue of eminent domain. The ballot propositions are competing and the debate between proponents has already heated up. Critics of Prop 98 say that it only poses as an eminent domain proposal but really has a hidden agenda. Characterizing rent control and other renter protection ordinances as offenses to private property rights, the proposition will eliminate such renter’s rights if it passes. Campaign reports filed with the Secretary of State’s office reveal that an overwhelming 83 percent of Prop 98’s funding comes from apartment and mobile home park landlords. Among its biggest funders is the American Owner’s Association which has donated $325,000 to the Yes on 98 Campaign. Dan Faller, the association’s founder, recently compared the upcoming ballot struggle to World War II and called its detractors “terrorists.” A recent Public Policy Institute of California survey has found that voters are likely to vote No on Prop 98 but with only a 4 percent margin of difference. Twenty two percent of respondents are still undecided.

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