Two ballot issues appear similar but Marsha McLean trying to clarify how different they are.
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On the June ballot, a quick glance through the propositions could make you feel like you’re seeing double. Prop 98 and prop 99 both claim to be about eminent domain reform, however, according to Santa Clarita City Council member Marsha McLean, they differ greatly. She led the charge to get the City of Santa Clarita to back prop 99, which was developed after prop 98 made its way onto the ballot.
Prop 98 restricts eminent domain, but it also attaches a host of other issues, including a verbiage that can eliminate rent control laws, prevent future rent control laws, and take away governmental protection for mobile home owners. “I just ask that people read the two propositions diligently. Prop 98 is funded by apartment owners who want to abolish rent control laws,” McLean told KHTS. “Proposition 99 has no absolutely no hidden agenda, it has one purpose and that’s to protect private homeowners.”
Prop 99, however, deals solely with eminent domain, and it outlaws governmental bodies from taking property from an owner occupied private residence.
Eminent domain is a tricky issue in itself. The practice involves the government obtaining private property and transferring it to another party. The government can take the property, however they must prove that significant public benefit will result, and they have to pay fair market value for the property. This is most commonly used for development of schools, or re-development in blighted areas.
While the city of Santa Clarita is behind prop 99, opponents claim it doesn’t go far enough into reforming eminent domain. Elected officials that have chosen to instead back prop 98 include our Senator George Runner, Senator Tom McClintock and Assemblywoman Sharon Runner. The Santa Clarita Chamber of Commerce has taken a position of opposition to prop 98, however they have no position on prop 99.
