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GUEST: Larry Gross, Executive Director of the Coalition for Economic Survival

As Californians cast their ballots in tomorrow’s statewide election, a new poll predicts the failure of Proposition 98 while noting its rival, Proposition 99, may pass. Released last week, the California Field Poll surveyed 660 likely voters and found that 43% opposed Prop 98 while only 33% backed the measure. Conversely, Prop 99 looks likely to win by a slim 8%. The two propositions on tomorrow’s ballot both claim to be fundamentally about eminent domain reform. However, Prop 98 has come under considerable criticism by opponents who have exposed its rent control prohibitions and environmental loopholes. Principally funded by apartment and mobile-home-park landlords, Prop 98 has been opposed editorially by more than 64 newspapers statewide. Critics contend that should Prop 98 pass, rent control would be gradually abolished statewide. They also say that other renter protections would face prohibition while environmental regulations would be more difficult to impose on landowners.

For more information, visit www.cesinaction.org.

To find out more about the propositions, visit www.noprop98.org and www.yesprop98.com.