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Eminent domain reform ballot measures debated in Sacramento
SACRAMENTO –OBSNews- California voters will vote on Propositions 98 and 99 in June which seek to limit the use of eminent domain. Yesterday in Sacramento at the headquarters of the California Chamber of Commerce proponents debated both initiatives.
Eminent domain has become a hot political issue since the U.S. Supreme Court’s Kelo decision in 2005. The court in Kelo expanded the rights of government entities to take private property for redevelopment purposes beyond public uses such as building roads. Since then, 40 states, but not California, have enacted some legislative limits to restrict the use of eminent domain.
Speaking for Proposition 98 was John Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayer’s Association. Coupal said that Prop 98 was designed to prevent taking of all types of property and to prevent governments from, “Holding a gun while negotiating with property owners.”
Arguing for Proposition 99 was Brandon Castillo, a political consultant. Castillo claimed that Proposition 98 was overly broad and that Prop 99 was narrowly designed to only prohibit governments from taking owner-occupied single family homes occupied for more than one year for redevelopment purposes.
Also present at the debate was Sacramento property owner Moe Mohanna. Mohanna, who is currently being sued by the city in an eminent domain lawsuit regarding properties he owns on K Street commented, “As an immigrant, I learned that property rights are at the core of American values. It is un-American to take away the properties I own and have remodeled to give them, along with more than $24 million in city subsidies, to an out-of-town developer named Joe Zeiden that they like more than they like me. I will defend my rights all the way to the Supreme Court if I have to.”
Mohanna, a founding Board Member of the Downtown Sacramento Partnership, went on to say, “Many people have told me they think the city was wrong to bring this frivolous lawsuit against me. Today’s debate shows that there is a serious problem with governments abusing the eminent domain process throughout the state.”